New York Colleges: Tuition, Debt & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

Executive Summary (TL;DR)

Colleges in New York: median public in-state tuition $7,340 (+28.8% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $66,326 (+11.7% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 93.0% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $15,125 (+12.0% vs U.S.) 800,116 students enrolled statewide.

Overview

Higher education in New York includes public research universities, private colleges, and community colleges serving transfer students and workforce training. About 800,116 students enrolled statewide in federal data, with median public in-state tuition near $7,340, and community college tuition averaging about $6,578. Major campuses include New York University and Stony Brook University. The tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, debt, and employment outcomes for 79 reporting campuses against U.S. and Mid East medians.

Related profiles

New York vs regional & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
New York (NY)$7,340$8,903$15,12553.0%800,116
Mid East (region median)$7,450$11,496$14,75055.9%1,929,481
United States$5,700$9,912$13,50049.3%14,465,291

Earnings & employment outcomes: New York vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
New York (NY)$66,32693.0%81.6%4.0%—75.8%0.30
Mid East (region median)$66,51994.1%79.4%4.5%—77.9%0.34
United States$59,40193.0%76.4%5.0%—73.8%0.36

New York vs peer states (Mid East region)

Peer states are other campuses in the same Scorecard region, chosen by similar total enrollment.

Peer comparison table
State In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
New York (NY)$7,340$8,903$15,12553.0%800,116$66,32693.0%
Pennsylvania (PA)$11,947$13,558$17,67858.0%468,960$69,12994.4%
New Jersey (NJ)$6,660$11,484$11,59451.0%316,789$63,84693.5%
Maryland (MD)$5,167$10,592$13,00058.0%253,178$67,45393.4%
Delaware (DE)$5,445$16,337$14,75046.0%44,606$58,27692.7%
United States$5,700$9,912$13,50049.3%14,465,291$59,40193.0%

Outcomes by sector in New York

Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).

Sector Campuses Median earnings (10 yr) Working share (8 yr) Retention 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment
Private for-profit5$51,09887.7%73.3%8.9%—64.3%
Private nonprofit91$66,75993.4%83.6%3.5%—79.4%
Public38$65,87093.5%78.2%5.2%—69.6%

Higher education completions in New York (IPEDS 2024)

Supply-side counts from IPEDS Completions — not employment or placement rates.

In the IPEDS 2024 completions file, institutions in New York reported 619,176 total awards (all levels and fields).

Among reported completers statewide, about 60.6% were women and 39.4% were men.

Largest institutions by degrees awarded

#InstitutionCompletions
1New York University43,044
2Columbia University in the City of New York32,832
3University at Buffalo19,850
4Cornell University17,652
5Stony Brook University15,562
6Syracuse University15,012
7CUNY Hunter College11,238
8Binghamton University11,016
9Fordham University10,570
10CUNY Bernard M Baruch College10,152

Top majors by completions

#Program (CIP)Completions
1Other/Unknown Programs309,588
2Business Administration and Management, General13,955
3Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse12,297
4Psychology, General10,503
5Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies6,807
6Computer Science6,654
7Biology/Biological Sciences, General5,917
8Social Work5,262
9Computer and Information Sciences, General4,546
10Law4,481

Educational attainment context (New York)

U.S. Census ACS 2024 — adults age 25+.

  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 40.2% of adults 25+
  • Some college, no degree (ACS): 14.87%

Program completions produced in New York (IPEDS 2024)

Award completions by CIP family — supply-side context for nursing, cosmetology, and other pathways. Not placement rates.

Program areaCompletionsInstitutions
Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38)15,467117
Cosmetology (CIP 12.04)5,56844
Computer Science (CIP 11.01)6,55489
Business (CIP 52.01)1,74243

State workforce wages (BLS OEWS May 2024)

Context for graduate earnings — not a unemployment rate for recent grads (CEW state series not in repo).

  • All occupations median annual wage: $58,560
  • Education occupations (SOC 25-xxxx) median: $91,830

Program-level earnings in New York (Scorecard)

  • Median 1-yr post-completion program earnings (across reporting campuses): $79,259
  • Median 4-yr post-completion: $94,582
  • Campuses with program earnings data: 150

Public 4-year in-state tuition trend: New York

Median published in-state tuition, public 4-year institutions. Source: College Scorecard multi-year pull.

Top 10 colleges in New York by degrees awarded (IPEDS 2024, all fields)

Ranked by total IPEDS-reported completions (all award levels and fields) in 2024. This is degrees/certificates produced, not enrollment or job placement.

  1. Rank 1, Degrees Awarded, 43,044, New York University

    New York University

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  2. Rank 2, Degrees Awarded, 32,832, Columbia University in the City of New York

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  3. Rank 3, Degrees Awarded, 19,850, University at Buffalo

    University at Buffalo

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  4. Rank 4, Degrees Awarded, 17,652, Cornell University

    Cornell University

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  5. Rank 5, Degrees Awarded, 15,562, Stony Brook University

    Stony Brook University

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  6. Rank 6, Degrees Awarded, 15,012, Syracuse University

    Syracuse University

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  7. Rank 7, Degrees Awarded, 11,238, CUNY Hunter College

    CUNY Hunter College

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  8. Rank 8, Degrees Awarded, 11,016, Binghamton University

    Binghamton University

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  9. Rank 9, Degrees Awarded, 10,570, Fordham University

    Fordham University

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  10. Rank 10, Degrees Awarded, 10,152, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

    CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

Top 10 colleges in New York by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 95.2%, Columbia University in the City of New York

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    Private nonprofit · 8,973 enrolled · New York

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 94.5%, Cornell University

    Cornell University

    Private nonprofit · 15,995 enrolled · Ithaca

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 91.6%, Barnard College

    Barnard College

    Private nonprofit · 3,264 enrolled · New York

  4. Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 89.8%, Hamilton College

    Hamilton College

    Private nonprofit · 2,030 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 88.8%, Colgate University

    Colgate University

    Private nonprofit · 3,180 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 88.6%, Vassar College

    Vassar College

    Private nonprofit · 2,444 enrolled · Poughkeepsie

  7. Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 87.8%, New York University

    New York University

    Private nonprofit · 28,663 enrolled · New York

  8. Rank 8, Graduation Rate, 86.8%, Yeshiva University

    Yeshiva University

    Private nonprofit · 2,852 enrolled · New York

  9. Rank 9, Graduation Rate, 86.2%, United States Military Academy

    United States Military Academy

    Public · 4,408 enrolled

  10. Rank 10, Graduation Rate, 83.4%, University of Rochester

    University of Rochester

    Private nonprofit · 6,331 enrolled · Rochester

Top 10 colleges in New York by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 97.9%, SUNY Maritime College

    SUNY Maritime College

    Public · 1,285 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 97.1%, St. John Fisher University

    St. John Fisher University

    Private nonprofit · 2,565 enrolled · Rochester

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 97.0%, Clarkson University

    Clarkson University

    Private nonprofit · 2,196 enrolled · Potsdam

  4. Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 96.9%, State University of New York at Cortland

    State University of New York at Cortland

    Public · 5,901 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 96.5%, Colgate University

    Colgate University

    Private nonprofit · 3,180 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 96.4%, Le Moyne College

    Le Moyne College

    Private nonprofit · 2,439 enrolled · Syracuse

  7. Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 96.4%, Wagner College

    Wagner College

    Private nonprofit · 1,651 enrolled · Staten Island

  8. Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 96.3%, Hartwick College

    Hartwick College

    Private nonprofit · 1,087 enrolled · Oneonta

  9. Rank 9, Employment Outcome, 96.3%, Siena University

    Siena University

    Private nonprofit · 3,409 enrolled

  10. Rank 10, Employment Outcome, 96.2%, Hobart William Smith Colleges

    Hobart William Smith Colleges

    Private nonprofit · 1,786 enrolled · Geneva

Top 10 most selective colleges in New York (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 4.0%, Columbia University in the City of New York

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    Private nonprofit · 8,973 enrolled · New York

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 8.8%, Cornell University

    Cornell University

    Private nonprofit · 15,995 enrolled · Ithaca

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 8.8%, Barnard College

    Barnard College

    Private nonprofit · 3,264 enrolled · New York

  4. Rank 4, Admission Rate, 9.2%, New York University

    New York University

    Private nonprofit · 28,663 enrolled · New York

  5. Rank 5, Admission Rate, 12.4%, United States Military Academy

    United States Military Academy

    Public · 4,408 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Admission Rate, 13.6%, Hamilton College

    Hamilton College

    Private nonprofit · 2,030 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, Admission Rate, 13.9%, Colgate University

    Colgate University

    Private nonprofit · 3,180 enrolled

  8. Rank 8, Admission Rate, 18.6%, Vassar College

    Vassar College

    Private nonprofit · 2,444 enrolled · Poughkeepsie

  9. Rank 9, Admission Rate, 20.7%, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

    The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

    Private nonprofit · 842 enrolled · New York

  10. Rank 10, Admission Rate, 21.1%, Skidmore College

    Skidmore College

    Private nonprofit · 2,694 enrolled · Saratoga Springs

Top 10 colleges in New York by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $151,551, Cornell University

    Cornell University

    Private nonprofit · 15,995 enrolled · Ithaca

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $135,612, Columbia University in the City of New York

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    Private nonprofit · 8,973 enrolled · New York

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $124,332, Stony Brook University

    Stony Brook University

    Public · 18,101 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $121,499, Iona University

    Iona University

    Private nonprofit · 2,951 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $120,121, New York University

    New York University

    Private nonprofit · 28,663 enrolled · New York

  6. Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $119,316, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing

    Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing

    Private nonprofit · 311 enrolled · New York

  7. Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $119,032, Barnard College

    Barnard College

    Private nonprofit · 3,264 enrolled · New York

  8. Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $118,710, CUNY York College

    CUNY York College

    Public · 4,345 enrolled · Jamaica

  9. Rank 9, Entry-Level Earnings, $117,959, Hamilton College

    Hamilton College

    Private nonprofit · 2,030 enrolled

  10. Rank 10, Entry-Level Earnings, $116,825, CUNY Graduate School and University Center

    CUNY Graduate School and University Center

    Public · 3,254 enrolled · New York

Top 10 colleges in New York by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $223,309, Cornell University

    Cornell University

    Private nonprofit · 15,995 enrolled · Ithaca

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $194,365, Columbia University in the City of New York

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    Private nonprofit · 8,973 enrolled · New York

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $161,980, Colgate University

    Colgate University

    Private nonprofit · 3,180 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $158,559, New York University

    New York University

    Private nonprofit · 28,663 enrolled · New York

  5. Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $156,982, Wagner College

    Wagner College

    Private nonprofit · 1,651 enrolled · Staten Island

  6. Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $155,557, CUNY York College

    CUNY York College

    Public · 4,345 enrolled · Jamaica

  7. Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $155,464, University of Rochester

    University of Rochester

    Private nonprofit · 6,331 enrolled · Rochester

  8. Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $148,354, CUNY City College

    CUNY City College

    Public · 12,505 enrolled · New York

  9. Rank 9, Early-Career Earnings, $147,064, Stony Brook University

    Stony Brook University

    Public · 18,101 enrolled

  10. Rank 10, Early-Career Earnings, $142,774, St. John's University-New York

    St. John's University-New York

    Private nonprofit · 9,477 enrolled · Queens

Top 10 colleges in New York by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $97,242, Cornell University

    Cornell University

    Private nonprofit · 15,995 enrolled · Ithaca

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $92,474, United States Merchant Marine Academy

    United States Merchant Marine Academy

    Public · 962 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $89,223, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    Private nonprofit · 5,714 enrolled · Troy

  4. Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $87,082, Columbia University in the City of New York

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    Private nonprofit · 8,973 enrolled · New York

  5. Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $86,279, SUNY Maritime College

    SUNY Maritime College

    Public · 1,285 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $78,130, Clarkson University

    Clarkson University

    Private nonprofit · 2,196 enrolled · Potsdam

  7. Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $77,149, Union College

    Union College

    Private nonprofit · 2,046 enrolled · Schenectady

  8. Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $75,652, Molloy University

    Molloy University

    Private nonprofit · 3,162 enrolled

  9. Rank 9, Mid-Career Earnings, $74,834, Manhattan University

    Manhattan University

    Private nonprofit · 2,744 enrolled · Riverdale

  10. Rank 10, Mid-Career Earnings, $74,560, University of Rochester

    University of Rochester

    Private nonprofit · 6,331 enrolled · Rochester

Top 10 colleges in New York by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $109,548, Columbia University in the City of New York

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    Private nonprofit · 8,973 enrolled · New York

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $106,848, Cornell University

    Cornell University

    Private nonprofit · 15,995 enrolled · Ithaca

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $105,868, United States Merchant Marine Academy

    United States Merchant Marine Academy

    Public · 962 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $101,326, SUNY Maritime College

    SUNY Maritime College

    Public · 1,285 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $98,759, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    Private nonprofit · 5,714 enrolled · Troy

  6. Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $87,798, Clarkson University

    Clarkson University

    Private nonprofit · 2,196 enrolled · Potsdam

  7. Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $87,073, Colgate University

    Colgate University

    Private nonprofit · 3,180 enrolled

  8. Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $84,987, Fordham University

    Fordham University

    Private nonprofit · 10,512 enrolled · Bronx

  9. Rank 9, 8-Yr Earnings, $83,247, University of Rochester

    University of Rochester

    Private nonprofit · 6,331 enrolled · Rochester

  10. Rank 10, 8-Yr Earnings, $83,188, Union College

    Union College

    Private nonprofit · 2,046 enrolled · Schenectady

Top 10 colleges in New York by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $113,531, Cornell University

    Cornell University

    Private nonprofit · 15,995 enrolled · Ithaca

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $113,011, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    Private nonprofit · 5,714 enrolled · Troy

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $109,430, Columbia University in the City of New York

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    Private nonprofit · 8,973 enrolled · New York

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $103,283, United States Merchant Marine Academy

    United States Merchant Marine Academy

    Public · 962 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $100,966, SUNY Maritime College

    SUNY Maritime College

    Public · 1,285 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $98,280, Barnard College

    Barnard College

    Private nonprofit · 3,264 enrolled · New York

  7. Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $96,328, Colgate University

    Colgate University

    Private nonprofit · 3,180 enrolled

  8. Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $95,269, Union College

    Union College

    Private nonprofit · 2,046 enrolled · Schenectady

  9. Rank 9, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,904, Manhattan University

    Manhattan University

    Private nonprofit · 2,744 enrolled · Riverdale

  10. Rank 10, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,809, Fordham University

    Fordham University

    Private nonprofit · 10,512 enrolled · Bronx

Top 10 colleges in New York by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $497,792, United States Merchant Marine Academy

    United States Merchant Marine Academy

    Public · 962 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $454,995, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

    Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

    Private nonprofit · 481 enrolled · Albany

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $437,014, Columbia University in the City of New York

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    Private nonprofit · 8,973 enrolled · New York

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $379,036, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

    CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

    Public · 16,154 enrolled · New York

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $369,080, SUNY Maritime College

    SUNY Maritime College

    Public · 1,285 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $360,186, Cornell University

    Cornell University

    Private nonprofit · 15,995 enrolled · Ithaca

  7. Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $352,382, Rabbinical Seminary of America

    Rabbinical Seminary of America

    Private nonprofit · 397 enrolled · Flushing

  8. Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $341,612, CUNY Graduate School and University Center

    CUNY Graduate School and University Center

    Public · 3,254 enrolled · New York

  9. Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $337,079, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    Private nonprofit · 5,714 enrolled · Troy

  10. Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $313,405, CUNY Hunter College

    CUNY Hunter College

    Public · 16,289 enrolled · New York

Top 10 most affordable colleges in New York (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $1,516, United States Merchant Marine Academy

    United States Merchant Marine Academy

    Public · 962 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $657, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

    CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

    Public · 16,154 enrolled · New York

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $1,272, CUNY Queens College

    CUNY Queens College

    Public · 12,550 enrolled · Queens

  4. Rank 4, Net Price, $3,313, Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary

    Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary

    Private nonprofit · 765 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Net Price, $1,051, CUNY Hunter College

    CUNY Hunter College

    Public · 16,289 enrolled · New York

  6. Rank 6, Net Price, $1,110, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

    CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

    Public · 11,590 enrolled · New York

  7. Rank 7, Net Price, $1,557, CUNY City College

    CUNY City College

    Public · 12,505 enrolled · New York

  8. Rank 8, Net Price, $950, CUNY Brooklyn College

    CUNY Brooklyn College

    Public · 10,543 enrolled · Brooklyn

  9. Rank 9, Net Price, $541, CUNY Lehman College

    CUNY Lehman College

    Public · 10,696 enrolled · Bronx

  10. Rank 10, Net Price, $4,766, CUNY Graduate School and University Center

    CUNY Graduate School and University Center

    Public · 3,254 enrolled · New York

Top 10 colleges in New York by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 98.4%, Cornell University

    Cornell University

    Private nonprofit · 15,995 enrolled · Ithaca

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 98.3%, Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary

    Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary

    Private nonprofit · 765 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 98.0%, Columbia University in the City of New York

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    Private nonprofit · 8,973 enrolled · New York

  4. Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 97.7%, Yeshiva of Machzikai Hadas

    Yeshiva of Machzikai Hadas

    Private nonprofit · 515 enrolled · Brooklyn

  5. Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 96.6%, Barnard College

    Barnard College

    Private nonprofit · 3,264 enrolled · New York

  6. Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 95.9%, Yeshivath Viznitz

    Yeshivath Viznitz

    Private nonprofit · 1,159 enrolled · Monsey

  7. Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 95.8%, New York University

    New York University

    Private nonprofit · 28,663 enrolled · New York

  8. Rank 8, First-Year Retention, 94.9%, Vassar College

    Vassar College

    Private nonprofit · 2,444 enrolled · Poughkeepsie

  9. Rank 9, First-Year Retention, 94.8%, Hamilton College

    Hamilton College

    Private nonprofit · 2,030 enrolled

  10. Rank 10, First-Year Retention, 94.6%, United States Military Academy

    United States Military Academy

    Public · 4,408 enrolled

In-state tuition: New York vs benchmarks

Sticker price

New York median in-state tuition is $7,340, +28.8% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: New York vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in New York is $15,125 (+12.0% vs U.S. median $13,500). Regional median: $14,750. Rank: #31 nationally of 48 (lower debt = better rank); #4 in Mid East of 5.

Median earnings (10 years out): New York vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in New York center around $66,326 (+11.7% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: New York vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 93.0% at the median New York campus (+0.0 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

New York median public in-state tuition is $7,340, about +28.8% vs the national median. Versus the Mid East region, tuition is -1.5%.

Median graduate debt is $15,125 (+12.0% above the U.S. median of $13,500, and +2.5% vs the Mid East regional median of $14,750). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Student debt rank: #31 nationally of 48 (lower debt = better rank); #4 in Mid East of 5 (1 = lowest median debt).

On published in-state tuition, New York ranks #38 nationally (1 = lowest median sticker among states with data).

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in New York are $66,326, about +11.7% vs the U.S. campus median ($59,401).

The median campus reports 93.0% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 93.0% (+0.0 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 81.6% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 4.0% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 75.8% (U.S. 73.8%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Nationally, New York ranks earnings #10 and employment proxy #23 on these outcome medians (1 = best).

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include SUNY Maritime College (97.9%), St. John Fisher University (97.1%), Clarkson University (97.0%), State University of New York at Cortland (96.9%), Colgate University (96.5%), Le Moyne College (96.4%), Wagner College (96.4%), Hartwick College (96.3%), Siena University (96.3%), Hobart William Smith Colleges (96.2%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Within New York, sector medians diverge: Private for-profit median 10-yr earnings $51,098 (5 campuses); Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $66,759 (91 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $65,870 (38 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in New York is 53.0% (national institution average about 49.3%).

National Student Clearinghouse data cite roughly 1,936,325 residents with some college but no credential in New York (YoY change 2.30%). That stock of incomplete credentials sits alongside the completion and employment metrics above.

City profiles in this state

Metro and city aggregates for places with at least three reporting campuses in the College Scorecard.

CityCampuses
Albany11
Alfred2
Astoria2
Auburn2
Batavia2
Bronx10
Brooklyn53
Buffalo10
Canton2
Elmira3
Far Rockaway3
Flushing5
Forest Hills3
Garden City2
Geneva3
Hempstead4
Herkimer2
Islandia2
Ithaca2
Jamaica3
Latham2
Levittown2
Liverpool2
Long Island City5
Monroe2
Monsey10
Mount Vernon2
New York70
Newburgh2
Old Westbury2
Oneonta3
Orchard Park2
Peekskill2
Plattsburgh4
Potsdam2
Pottersville2
Poughkeepsie4
Purchase2
Queens2
Rego Park2
Riverdale2
Rochester17
Saratoga Springs2
Schenectady5
Staten Island8
Suffern2
Syracuse7
Troy4
Utica4
Valhalla2
Watertown2
West Seneca2
White Plains2
Williamsville2
Yonkers3

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does college cost in New York?

Median in-state tuition among reporting campuses in New York is $7,340 and median net price is $8,903. U.S. medians are $5,700 (tuition) and $9,912 (net price). New York tuition is about +28.8% vs the national median; net price is -10.2%.

What is typical student debt for graduates in New York?

Median federal loan debt among completers in New York is $15,125 vs a U.S. median of $13,500 (New York ranks #31 nationally for median debt among states.)

What do graduates earn in New York?

Median earnings 10 years after entry for New York campuses reporting to the College Scorecard is $66,326 vs $59,401 nationally. Six-year medians are $53,952.

What share of New York graduates are working after college?

The federal employment-outcome proxy used on this site (8-year cohort working and not enrolled) has a median of 93.0% in New York vs 93.0% nationally.

How many colleges are in New York?

This profile aggregates 79 campuses with cost or outcomes data in New York and roughly 800,116 total reported enrollment.

How many public vs. private colleges are in New York?

Among campuses with outcomes in the College Scorecard extract: 38 public, 91 private nonprofit, and 5 private for-profit institutions.

What are the top colleges in New York?

Rankings on this page are drawn from College Scorecard medians; standouts include highest 150%-time graduation rate: Columbia University in the City of New York; highest 10-year earnings: Cornell University; lowest net price among large campuses: United States Merchant Marine Academy. See the ranked lists below for full details.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in New York?

Among 418 campuses in New York, 81 campuses report at least 25% Hispanic undergraduate enrollment in U.S. Department of Education data; examples include Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, Apex Technical School, and Berk Trade and Business School; 54 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Jewish (25), Roman Catholic (20), Interdenominational (2).

How does New York compare to its Census region?

New York is in the Mid East region. Regional median in-state tuition is $7,450 and median debt is $14,750 vs $7,340 tuition and $15,125 debt in New York.

Sources & related