2026 Best Value Economics Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in economics in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,580. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,758. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,728. Set against $11,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,303. Early-career economics graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Economics graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $33,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #5 place for economics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,300 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $45,556. That is a strong return on a $7,300 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,213. Early-career economics graduates make about $44,258. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #7 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $39,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $8,794. Economics graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Farmingdale State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #10 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,227. Set against $16,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #11 spot for economics value this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Students borrow a median of $20,824 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $48,691. That is a strong return on a $20,824 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University came in at #12 for value in economics this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,550 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $44,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #13 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $83,135 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #14 among the best values for economics. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,530. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $47,363. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #15 position for value in economics this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $41,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Canisius College earned the #16 position for value in economics this year. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,200. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $55,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany landed the #17 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,474. Economics graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $37,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,474 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
University At Buffalo landed the #18 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,225 in student loans. Economics graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $40,078 early in their careers. Set against $20,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton placed #19 among the best values for economics. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,919 in student loans. Economics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,502 early in their careers. Set against $19,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
St Francis College earned the #20 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, St Francis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,775. Students borrow a median of $24,966 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of St Francis College earn a median of $40,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,966 median debt.
St Johns University New York came in at #21 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Economics graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $45,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Hamilton College landed the #22 spot for economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $71,350 early in their careers. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Colgate University came in at #23 for value in economics this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,306. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $77,274 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Adelphi University landed the #24 spot for economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,487. Economics graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $51,037 early in their careers. Set against $25,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Rochester ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,946 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $63,475. That is a strong return on a $19,946 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s economics value ranking:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) 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.
