Among public universities, Binghamton University is the best value in New York, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 College Rankings.
U.S. News and World Report bases its comprehensive college rankings on a variety of factors, including graduation rates, first-year retention rates, first-generation graduation rates, graduates who earn more than high school graduates, borrower debt, peer ratings, financial resources per student, faculty salaries, standardized tests and citations per publication.
The best value schools are determined by the quality of academics relative to the price paid by students who receive need-based aid, the number of students who receive that aid, especially those who receive scholarships and grants, and the average discount from the school’s total price for students who receive aid.
While the overall ranking involves many different categories and factors, when it comes to “best value colleges,” Binghamton University stands out on the New York list.
Here are the 21 best value colleges in New York, according to U.S. News.
Adelphi University, Garden City
This private university is ranked #1 as the best value college in New York and #115 in the nation.
Binghamton University in Binghamton
Binghamton University is ranked #2 in New York State, #1 among state universities, and #38 in the nation.
Clarkson University in Potsdam
Clarkson University is a private university ranked #3 in New York and #49 in the nation.
Cornell University in Ithaca
Cornell University, a well-known private university, is ranked 4th as the best value college in New York and 19th nationally.
City College of New York
This public university is ranked #5 as the best value in New York and #117 nationally.
Fordham University in New York City
Fordham University, a privately funded institution, is ranked #6 as the best value university in New York State and #73 in the nation.
Hofstra University in Hempstead
This private school on Long Island is ranked #7 in New York and #103 in the nation.
The New School in New York City
Located in Greenwich Village, this private university is ranked #8 in New York and #190 in the nation.
New York University in New York City
Located in Manhattan, this private university is ranked #9 as the best value college in New York and #68 in the nation.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy
This private school is ranked #10 as the best value in New York and #123 nationally.
Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester)
RIT is a privately funded institution ranked 11th in New York and 41st nationally.
St. John Fisher College of Rochester
This private university is ranked #12 as the best value in New York and #43 nationally.
St. John’s University, Queens
This private Catholic school is ranked #13 as the best value in New York and #183 in the nation.
Stony Brook University in Stony Brook
Located on Long Island, this public university is ranked #14 as the best value college in New York State and #135 in the nation.
Syracuse, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
This SUNY public university is ranked 15th as the best value in New York State and 105th in the nation.
Syracuse University in Syracuse
This prestigious private university is ranked #16 as the best value college in New York and #80 nationally.
Touro University in New York City
This private school is ranked #17 as the best value in New York and #119 nationally.
University at Albany, Albany
This SUNY public university is ranked 18th as the best value in New York State and 57th in the nation.
University at Buffalo
This SUNY public university is ranked #19 as the best value in New York State and #128 in the nation.
University of Rochester, Rochester
This private university is ranked #20 as the best value college in New York and #128 nationally.
Yeshiva University of New York City
This private Jewish institution is ranked #21 as the best value school in New York and #54 in the nation.
