Colleges in New York
11 schools · official College Scorecard data
Among the 11 New York colleges we track, the lowest average net price is at Stony Brook University ($18,784/yr), the highest median graduate earnings are at Cornell University ($104,043), and the best earnings-to-cost ROI signal belongs to Columbia University in the City of New York (4.7×). Compare net price, graduation rates, earnings and ROI for every school below.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Data as of June 2026.
New York colleges compared
| School | Type | Net price/yr | Median earnings (10yr) | Grad rate | ROI signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York University | Private (nonprofit) | $37,050 | $82,509 | 87.6% | 2.2× |
| University at Buffalo | Public | $20,995 | $70,814 | 75.2% | 3.4× |
| Stony Brook University | Public | $18,784 | $74,502 | 75.6% | 4.0× |
| Cornell University | Private (nonprofit) | $28,690 | $104,043 | 95.4% | 3.6× |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | Private (nonprofit) | $21,590 | $102,491 | 96.1% | 4.7× |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Private (nonprofit) | $36,228 | $102,051 | 83.6% | 2.8× |
| Barnard College | Private (nonprofit) | $28,800 | $80,516 | 93.0% | 2.8× |
| Colgate University | Private (nonprofit) | $28,786 | $85,139 | 91.2% | 3.0× |
| Skidmore College | Private (nonprofit) | $32,297 | $69,363 | 82.6% | 2.1× |
| Vassar College | Private (nonprofit) | $39,343 | $71,366 | 91.1% | 1.8× |
| Hamilton College | Private (nonprofit) | $28,985 | $78,411 | 90.6% | 2.7× |
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Data as of June 2026.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Public domain (U.S. Government work)), snapshot June 2026. ROI signal = median 10-year earnings ÷ average annual net price (methodology). Estimates — verify before relying on them.
Frequently asked questions
Which college in New York has the lowest net price?
Of the 11 New York schools we track, Stony Brook University has the lowest average net price at $18,784 per year (after grants and scholarships). Your own price depends on your family income, so always run the school's net price calculator.
Which New York college has the highest graduate earnings?
Cornell University reports the highest median earnings 10 years after entry among New York schools in our data, at $104,043. Earnings reflect federally-aided students across all majors, so they are an outcome signal rather than a guarantee.
What is the best-value college in New York?
By our ROI signal (median earnings ÷ annual net price), Columbia University in the City of New York leads New York schools at 4.7×. This is a simple value gauge that rewards both strong earnings and low cost — see the methodology for its limits.
Where does this New York college data come from?
All figures are from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, a public-domain federal dataset. We commit a dated snapshot and link the source so you can verify every number.
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Last updated: 2026-06-20