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Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in New York

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2023 Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in New York

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

56 Schools Ranked
$22,414 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$22,455 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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in New York ranking. This report analyzed 56 schools in New York to see which ones offered the best value graduate certificate programs for students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Graduate Certificate Schools in New York

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

The Graduate Center, CUNY

New York, New York
204 Total Awards
$23,640 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found The Graduate Center, CUNY to be the best value school for students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in New York. The Graduate Center is located in New York, New York and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 204 graduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at The Graduate Center are $23,640 a year. Graduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,710 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

The Graduate Center does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

In addition to its great value ranking, The Graduate Center is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in New York list.

Read full report on The Graduate Center, CUNY

#2

The City College of New York

New York, New York
98 Total Awards
$20,832 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The City College of New York. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in New York list. New York, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 98 students in 2020-2021.

CCNY graduate students pay an average of $20,832 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at CCNY. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on The City College of New York

#3

The College of Saint Rose

Albany, New York
1,017 Total Awards
$15,748 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 56 schools in New York that were part of this year’s value ranking, The College of Saint Rose landed the # 3 spot on the list. Saint Rose is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Albany, New York. It awarded 1,017 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Saint Rose graduate students pay an average of $15,748 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Saint Rose. In fact, around 39% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Saint Rose also took the #2 spot in our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in New York rankings.

Read full report on The College of Saint Rose

#4

Lehman College

Bronx, New York
109 Total Awards
$21,000 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Lehman College is a great place for students working on their graduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. This fairly large public school is located in Bronx, New York, and it awarded 109 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Lehman graduate students pay an average of $21,000 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Lehman does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Lehman College

#5

Hunter College

New York, New York
217 Total Awards
$20,828 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Hunter College is a great place for students working on their graduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 217 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Hunter are $20,828 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Hunter does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Hunter College Report

#6

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York
352 Total Awards
$25,628 Average Tuition & Fees

Stony Brook University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate programs. Located in Stony Brook, New York, the large public school handed out 352 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at SUNY Stony Brook are $25,628 per year.

Online graduate courses are available at SUNY Stony Brook, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.

SUNY Stony Brook also claimed a spot on our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in New York list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

#7

Queens College

Queens, New York
207 Total Awards
$21,042 Average Tuition & Fees

Queens College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate programs. QC is located in Queens, New York and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 207 graduate certificates to qualified students.

QC graduate students pay an average of $21,042 in tuition and fees each year.

QC does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Queens College

#7

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York
54 Total Awards
$20,952 Average Tuition & Fees

Brooklyn College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Brooklyn, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 54 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Brooklyn College are $20,952 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Brooklyn College does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#9

Russell Sage College

Troy, New York
46 Total Awards
$13,140 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Russell Sage College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Russel Sage is located in Troy, New York and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Russel Sage graduate students pay an average of $13,140 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Russel Sage does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Russell Sage College

8 Total Awards
$24,950 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Syracuse, New York, the small public school handed out 8 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at ESF are $24,950 a year.

Online graduate courses are available at ESF, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#11

Niagara University

Niagara University, New York
54 Total Awards
$13,950 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Niagara University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Niagara University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Niagara University, New York that handed out 54 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Niagara are $13,950 a year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Niagara. In 2019-2020 about 83% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Niagara University Report

#11

SUNY Oneonta

Oneonta, New York
10 Total Awards
$24,323 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY Oneonta came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in New York ranking. SUNY Oneonta is a medium-sized public school located in Oneonta, New York that handed out 10 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at SUNY Oneonta are $24,323 a year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at SUNY Oneonta. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

219 Total Awards
$20,962 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,903 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, John Jay College of Criminal Justice did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. John Jay is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 219 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at John Jay are $20,962 a year. Graduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,903 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

John Jay is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on John Jay College of Criminal Justice

#14

SUNY Cortland

Cortland, New York
45 Total Awards
$24,845 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY Cortland landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate programs. SUNY Cortland is located in Cortland, New York and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 graduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at SUNY Cortland are $24,845 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at SUNY Cortland. In 2019-2020 about 86% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#15

SUNY Fredonia

Fredonia, New York
3 Total Awards
$24,790 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY Fredonia came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in New York ranking. SUNY Fredonia is a public institution located in Fredonia, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at SUNY Fredonia are $24,790 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at SUNY Fredonia. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#16

SUNY Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, New York
68 Total Awards
$24,941 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY Plattsburgh came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in New York ranking. SUNY Plattsburgh is located in Plattsburgh, New York and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 graduate certificates to qualified students.

SUNY Plattsburgh graduate students pay an average of $24,941 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SUNY Plattsburgh does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 82% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full SUNY Plattsburgh Report

#17

SUNY Empire State College

Saratoga Springs, New York
113 Total Awards
$23,660 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #17, SUNY Empire State College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. SUNY Empire is located in Saratoga Springs, New York and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 113 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at SUNY Empire are $23,660 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SUNY Empire does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on SUNY Empire State College

#18

Canisius College

Buffalo, New York
50 Total Awards
$15,870 Average Tuition & Fees

Canisius College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Buffalo, New York, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 50 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Canisius graduate students pay an average of $15,870 in tuition and fees each year.

Canisius does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Canisius College

#19

SUNY Oswego

Oswego, New York
86 Total Awards
$24,332 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, SUNY Oswego did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. This medium-sized public school is located in Oswego, New York, and it awarded 86 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at SUNY Oswego are $24,332 a year.

SUNY Oswego does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on SUNY Oswego

#20

The College at Brockport

Brockport, New York
91 Total Awards
$24,100 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, The College at Brockport did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. SUNY Brockport is a public institution located in Brockport, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 91 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at SUNY Brockport are $24,100 a year.

SUNY Brockport does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 83% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full The College at Brockport Report

#20

SUNY New Paltz

New Paltz, New York
93 Total Awards
$24,553 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY New Paltz landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate programs. This medium-sized public school is located in New Paltz, New York, and it awarded 93 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

SUNY New Paltz graduate students pay an average of $24,553 in tuition and fees each year.

Online graduate courses are available at SUNY New Paltz, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on SUNY New Paltz

#22

Binghamton University

Vestal, New York
81 Total Awards
$25,570 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #22, Binghamton University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Vestal, New York, the fairly large public school awarded 81 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Binghamton University are $25,570 per year.

Binghamton University does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 57% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Binghamton University Report

#23

SUNY Potsdam

Potsdam, New York
11 Total Awards
$24,542 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY Potsdam came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in New York ranking. Located in Potsdam, New York, the small public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at SUNY Potsdam are $24,542 a year.

SUNY Potsdam does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on SUNY Potsdam

#24

Manhattan College

Riverdale, New York
25 Total Awards
$21,052 Average Tuition & Fees

Manhattan College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate programs. Manhattan is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverdale, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Manhattan graduate students pay an average of $21,052 in tuition and fees each year.

Manhattan does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 24% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Manhattan also took the #5 spot in our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in New York rankings.

Full Manhattan College Report

#25

Le Moyne College

Syracuse, New York
55 Total Awards
$17,370 Average Tuition & Fees

Le Moyne College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in New York list. Syracuse, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 55 students in 2020-2021.

LeMoyne graduate students pay an average of $17,370 in tuition and fees each year. Graduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,639 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at LeMoyne. During the 2019-2020 year, about 69% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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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