Home to 121 ranked institutions, New York offers a comprehensive higher education landscape spanning from CUNY campuses in Manhattan to private colleges across the state. With 30% public universities and 70% private colleges, graduates earn a median of $62,384 ten years after enrollment, demonstrating the state's commitment to strong academic outcomes across diverse institutional types.
New York graduates earn between $17,360 and $131,426 ten years after enrollment—$6,567 higher than the national average. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College leads the rankings with graduates earning $75,971, followed by Cuny City College at $66,039 and Cuny Hunter College at $63,163, showcasing how program selection within the CUNY system directly impacts median earnings and career trajectories.
While Cuny Bernard M Baruch College dominates the rankings, students seeking accessible admissions should note that this same institution maintains a 50% acceptance rate. This combination of strong graduate outcomes with reasonable admission standards makes it an ideal choice for students prioritizing both academic quality and attainable entry requirements in New York's competitive landscape.
Compare net price, debt, and earnings scenarios
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York, NY | $75,971 Median Earnings (10yr) | $745 | 50.5% | 72.1% | |
| #2 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | New York, NY | $63,163 Median Earnings (10yr) | $262 | 54.0% | 61.0% |
| #3 | Cuny City CollegePublic | New York, NY | $66,039 Median Earnings (10yr) | $1,579 | 58.1% | 54.7% |
| #4 | Cuny Lehman CollegePublic | Bronx, NY | $58,013 Median Earnings (10yr) | $2,047 | 55.4% | 49.3% |
| #5 | New York, NY | $56,195 Median Earnings (10yr) | $1,290 | 57.2% | 55.5% | |
| #6 | Cuny Brooklyn CollegePublic | Brooklyn, NY | $60,752 Median Earnings (10yr) | $1,466 | 53.7% | 56.6% |
| #7 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | Stony Brook, NY | $74,502 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,744 | 49.0% | 77.8% |
| #8 | New York, NY | $102,491 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,342 | 4.2% | 95.0% | |
| #9 | Cuny Queens CollegePublic | Queens, NY | $62,763 Median Earnings (10yr) | $1,816 | 68.5% | 60.2% |
| #10 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | Ithaca, NY | $104,043 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,079 | 8.2% | 95.1% |
| #11 | Brooklyn, NY | $49,365 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,681 | 80.7% | 19.4% | |
| #12 | Farmingdale, NY | $69,781 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,865 | 69.1% | 57.1% | |
| #13 | Staten Island, NY | $53,501 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,243 | — | 32.8% | |
| #14 | University At BuffaloPublic | Buffalo, NY | $70,814 Median Earnings (10yr) | $14,240 | 69.3% | 73.4% |
| #15 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | Vestal, NY | $80,596 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,916 | 37.7% | 83.7% |
| #16 | University At AlbanyPublic | Albany, NY | $67,979 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,066 | 69.9% | 63.9% |
| #17 | Suffern, NY | $89,548 Median Earnings (10yr) | — | 34.7% | — | |
| #18 | Kings Point, NY | $90,610 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,476 | 32.5% | 80.6% | |
| #19 | Cuny York CollegePublic | Jamaica, NY | $56,945 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,267 | 59.4% | 30.3% |
| #20 | Albany, NY | $131,426 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,549 | 59.1% | 68.8% |
