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Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in New York

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2023 Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in New York

149 Schools Ranked

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in New York ranking. This report analyzed 149 schools in New York to see which ones were the most popular master's degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

New York University

New York, New York
9,064 Total Awards
$38,206 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found New York University to be the most popular school for students who want to pursue a master’s degree in New York. New York University is a large private not-for-profit school located in New York, New York that handed out 9,064 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

NYU 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, 79% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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8,527 Total Awards
$52,924 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 149 schools in New York that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the # 2 spot on the list. Columbia is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 8,527 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Columbia does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Report

#3

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
2,888 Total Awards
$30,006 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent master’s degree programs at Cornell University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in New York. Cornell University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 2,888 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Cornell. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#4

Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York
2,698 Total Awards
$42,954 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Syracuse University is a great place for students working on their master’s degree. Syracuse, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 2,698 students in 2020-2021.

Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Syracuse. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 31% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Syracuse University

#5

Fordham University

Bronx, New York
2,617 Total Awards
$23,846 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Fordham University is a great place for students working on their master’s degree. Fordham U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bronx, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,617 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Fordham U, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#6

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York
2,480 Total Awards
$13,838 Average Tuition & Fees

Stony Brook University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in New York ranking. Located in Stony Brook, New York, the large public school handed out 2,480 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that SUNY Stony Brook does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 71% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Stony Brook University

#7

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York
2,377 Total Awards
$14,388 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, University at Buffalo did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Buffalo, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 2,377 students in 2020-2021.

Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since University at Buffalo does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 76% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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#8

Hunter College

New York, New York
2,089 Total Awards
$11,398 Average Tuition & Fees

Hunter College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in New York ranking. Hunter is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,089 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

Hunter 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 fact, around 96% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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1,727 Total Awards
$35,054 Average Tuition & Fees

Teachers College at Columbia University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. Located in New York, New York, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,727 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Teachers College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#10

Relay Graduate School of Education

New York, New York
1,713 Total Awards

Relay Graduate School of Education ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in New York list. Located in New York, New York, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,713 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Relay Graduate School of Education is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

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#11

LIU Post

Brookville, New York
1,595 Total Awards
$23,044 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, LIU Post did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Brookville, New York, and it awarded 1,595 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

LIU Post 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. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 35% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on LIU Post

#11

Pace University - New York

New York, New York
1,607 Total Awards
$34,100 Average Tuition & Fees

Pace University - New York did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in New York, New York, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,607 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Pace University. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Pace University - New York Report

#13

Touro College

New York, New York
1,476 Total Awards
$13,258 Average Tuition & Fees

Touro College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in New York ranking. Located in New York, New York, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,476 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Touro, 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, 73% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#14

Baruch College

New York, New York
1,474 Total Awards
$11,452 Average Tuition & Fees

Baruch College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in New York list. This fairly large public school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 1,474 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Baruch are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read full report on Baruch College

#15

The Graduate Center, CUNY

New York, New York
1,480 Total Awards
$10,410 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, The Graduate Center, CUNY did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. This medium-sized public school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 1,480 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on The Graduate Center, CUNY

#16

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York
1,436 Total Awards
$47,541 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Rochester landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. University of Rochester is located in Rochester, New York and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,436 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

University of Rochester does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 64% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Rochester Report

#17

Binghamton University

Vestal, New York
1,268 Total Awards
$13,780 Average Tuition & Fees

Binghamton University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Binghamton University is a fairly large public school located in Vestal, New York that handed out 1,268 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Binghamton University does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 57% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Binghamton University

#18

Hofstra University

Hempstead, New York
1,229 Total Awards
$28,180 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #18, Hofstra University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Hempstead, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 1,229 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Hofstra 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. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 21% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Hofstra University

#19

University at Albany

Albany, New York
1,204 Total Awards
$13,535 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, University at Albany did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. UAlbany is a public institution located in Albany, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,204 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UAlbany. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University at Albany

#20

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, New York
1,146 Total Awards
$52,408 Average Tuition & Fees

Rochester Institute of Technology landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. RIT is located in Rochester, New York and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,146 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at RIT. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Rochester Institute of Technology Report

#21

St John's University - New York

Queens, New York
1,109 Total Awards
$31,516 Average Tuition & Fees

St John’s University - New York came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in New York ranking. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Queens, New York, and it awarded 1,109 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

STJ 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 fact, around 88% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#22

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York
1,061 Total Awards
$11,522 Average Tuition & Fees

Brooklyn College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Brooklyn College is a fairly large public school situated in Brooklyn, New York. It awarded 1,061 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Brooklyn College does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 100% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#23

Queens College

Queens, New York
1,024 Total Awards
$11,612 Average Tuition & Fees

Queens College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in New York ranking. QC is a fairly large public school situated in Queens, New York. It awarded 1,024 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

QC 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. 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.

Full Queens College Report

#24

Adelphi University

Garden City, New York
1,015 Total Awards
$44,520 Average Tuition & Fees

Adelphi University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in New York ranking. Adelphi is located in Garden City, New York and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,015 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.

Adelphi does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 92% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Adelphi University Report

#25

The New School

New York, New York
977 Total Awards
$49,136 Average Tuition & Fees

The New School landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. New School University is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 977 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at New School University. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

View Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:

Rank School Location
26 The City College of New York New York, NY
27 Mercy College Dobbs Ferry, NY
28 Lehman College Bronx, NY
29 New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY
30 John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY

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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