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Best Schools in New York

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2023 Best Schools in New York

128 Schools Ranked
$44,616 Average Earnings
$19,965 Avg Student Debt

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.

The Best Schools in New York ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 128 schools in New York to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in New York

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
$65,907 Average Earnings
$14,061 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Cornell University to be the best school for students in New York.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,061 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $570, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cornell, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $65,907 during the early years of their career.

Full Cornell University Report

#2

Colgate University

Hamilton, New York
$48,442 Average Earnings
$14,450 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Colgate University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in New York.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,450 in student loans.After graduating from Colgate, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,442 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Colgate University

$62,754 Average Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Teachers College at Columbia University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Schools in New York list.

During the early years of their career, Teachers College graduates make an average of $62,754 annually.

Full Teachers College at Columbia University Report

#4

Excelsior College

Albany, New York
$58,705 Average Earnings
$20,421 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Excelsior College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Schools in New York list.

Degree recipients from Excelsior College accumulate an average of $20,421 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Excelsior College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,705 during the early years of their career.

Full Excelsior College Report

#5

Barnard College

New York, New York
$42,928 Average Earnings
$15,812 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Barnard College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Schools in New York list.

On average, students take out $15,812 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Barnard, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,928 during the early years of their career.

Full Barnard College Report

#6

Hamilton College

Clinton, New York
$43,033 Average Earnings
$16,531 Avg Student Debt

Hamilton College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #6 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,531 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Hamilton graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,033 during the early year of their career.

Full Hamilton College Report

#7

The Graduate Center, CUNY

New York, New York
$61,344 Average Earnings
$20,379 Avg Student Debt

The Graduate Center, CUNY landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $20,379 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from The Graduate Center, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,344 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#8

Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, New York
$34,638 Average Earnings
$15,241 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Vassar College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $15,241 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $438 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Vassar graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,638 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Vassar College

$70,610 Average Earnings
$23,258 Avg Student Debt

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New York ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,258 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $567 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Columbia graduates make an average of $70,610 annually.

Read More…

$68,029 Average Earnings
$22,167 Avg Student Debt

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New York ranking.

On average, students take out $22,167 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $515, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, RPI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $68,029 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#11

Union College New York

Schenectady, New York
$42,733 Average Earnings

Union College New York did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #11 on the list.

Once they receive their degree, Union College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,733 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Union College New York

#12

New York University

New York, New York
$59,064 Average Earnings
$21,688 Avg Student Debt

New York University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #12 on the list.

Degree recipients from NYU accumulate an average of $21,688 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $754 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from NYU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $59,064 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#13

Wagner College

Staten Island, New York
$62,835 Average Earnings
$26,358 Avg Student Debt

Wagner College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Schools in New York list.

On average, students take out $26,358 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $423, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Wagner graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,835 during the early year of their career.

Full Wagner College Report

#14

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York
$54,478 Average Earnings
$21,495 Avg Student Debt

University of Rochester came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New York ranking.

Degree recipients from University of Rochester accumulate an average of $21,495 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $403, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, University of Rochester graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,478 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Rochester

#15

Ithaca College

Ithaca, New York
$39,872 Average Earnings
$21,187 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Ithaca College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

Degree recipients from Ithaca accumulate an average of $21,187 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $602, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Ithaca, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,872 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#16

Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York
$45,338 Average Earnings
$24,031 Avg Student Debt

Syracuse University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New York ranking.

On average, students take out $24,031 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $512, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Syracuse, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,338 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Syracuse University

#17

Clarkson University

Potsdam, New York
$67,671 Average Earnings
$24,145 Avg Student Debt

Clarkson University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New York ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,145 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $496. During the early years of their career, Clarkson graduates make an average of $67,671 annually.

Full Clarkson University Report

#18

The College of Saint Rose

Albany, New York
$45,338 Average Earnings
$25,145 Avg Student Debt

The College of Saint Rose came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New York ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,145 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $317 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Saint Rose graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,338 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on The College of Saint Rose

#19

Marist College

Poughkeepsie, New York
$52,565 Average Earnings
$24,793 Avg Student Debt

Marist College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #19 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,793 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $597 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Marist, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,565 during the early years of their career.

Full Marist College Report

#20

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, New York
$58,966 Average Earnings
$25,679 Avg Student Debt

Rochester Institute of Technology came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New York ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,679 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $428 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from RIT, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,966 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Rochester Institute of Technology

#21

Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, New York
$34,832 Average Earnings
$18,581 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #21, Skidmore College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,581 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Skidmore graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,832 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Skidmore College

#22

Molloy College

Rockville Centre, New York
$55,942 Average Earnings
$26,757 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Molloy College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,757 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $522 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Molloy, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,942 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Molloy College

#23

Siena College

Loudonville, New York
$39,268 Average Earnings
$24,527 Avg Student Debt

Siena College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New York ranking.

Degree recipients from Siena accumulate an average of $24,527 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $417 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Siena, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,268 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Siena College

#24

St. John Fisher College

Rochester, New York
$48,505 Average Earnings
$24,140 Avg Student Debt

St. John Fisher College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $24,140 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $422, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Fisher graduates make an average of $48,505 annually.

Read full report on St. John Fisher College

#25

Fordham University

Bronx, New York
$52,826 Average Earnings
$23,315 Avg Student Debt

Fordham University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #25 on the list.

Degree recipients from Fordham U accumulate an average of $23,315 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $702, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Fordham U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,826 during the early years of their career.

Full Fordham University Report

View Best Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our best schools ranking:

Rank School Location
26 SUNY Cortland Cortland, NY

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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