2027 Best Value General Education Schools in New York
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.
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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Suny Empire State College earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in New York. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,422. General Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $39,046 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Laguardia Community College earned it the #2 place for general education. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. General Education graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,224. Early-career general education graduates make about $35,768. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercy College earned it the #4 place for general education. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $61,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Niagara University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,208. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,450. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,700. General Education graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of $44,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
College Of Mount Saint Vincent earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $44,540. Students borrow a median of $26,385 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Mount Saint Vincent admits about 85% of applicants.
University At Buffalo landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,866. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Colgate University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,924. Set against $16,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Barnard College placed #10 among the best values for general education. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,790. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Adelphi University placed #11 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,487. Early-career general education graduates make about $26,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Hobart William Smith Colleges placed #12 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,928. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
New York University landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,354. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Syracuse University came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,250. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Vassar College landed the #15 spot for general education value this year. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,486 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $37,412. Set against $18,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
More General Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
