Best Value Chemical Engineering Colleges in New York

CUNY City College delivers chemical engineering education at just $3,486 net cost, making it nearly 12 times cheaper than Syracuse University's $41,026 price tag. This dramatic cost spread reflects New York's dual public-private system, where state schools compete alongside Ivy League institutions for talent heading into the state's pharmaceutical and petrochemical sectors. Cornell leads earnings at $83,351 annually, while Columbia maintains a 95% graduation rate despite accepting fewer than 4% of applicants. The field connects directly to New York's chemical manufacturing corridor along the Hudson River and Long Island's biotech companies.

Programs

$3,486 – $41,026

Net Price Range

$62,855

Avg. Program Earnings

78.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

14 Chemical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY City College New York, New York	$3,486	$35,416	$7,340	54.7%	66.6%
2	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$20,148	$75,204	$69,045	95.0%	4.0%
3	Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York	$18,430	$60,094	$10,560	77.8%	49.1%
4	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$32,337	$83,351	$66,014	95.1%	7.5%
5	Manhattan College Riverdale, New York	$26,881	$67,324	$50,850	66.0%	82.3%
6	Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York	$29,694	$69,338	$57,016	70.8%	67.2%
7	Clarkson University Potsdam, New York	$31,955	$68,858	$57,950	73.6%	78.4%
8	University of Rochester Rochester, New York	$30,248	$64,493	$64,348	84.5%	38.9%
9	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York	$33,139	$69,338	$61,884	83.2%	64.5%
10	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470	$42,682	$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
11	New York University New York, New York	$35,035	$56,641	$60,438	88.5%	12.5%
12	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$41,026	$61,516	$63,061	81.4%	51.8%
13	The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art New York, New York	$16,478		$46,820	80.3%	22.5%
14	SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, New York	$18,730		$9,206	69.9%	69.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY City College such an outlier in chemical engineering value?

City College charges just $3,486 net cost while maintaining a 66.6% acceptance rate, making it accessible to students who might otherwise face five-figure annual costs. The school's location in Manhattan provides direct access to internships with chemical companies and research labs throughout the metro area.

How do public universities compare to private schools for chemical engineering earnings?

Stony Brook graduates earn $60,094 annually while paying only $18,430 net cost, delivering strong returns compared to private alternatives. University at Buffalo produces $42,682 earners at $20,470 net cost, showing that SUNY schools provide solid career preparation without premium pricing.

Does Cornell's $83,351 earning potential justify its $32,337 net cost?

Cornell chemical engineering graduates command the highest salaries in the state while carrying relatively modest debt of $14,361. The 95.1% graduation rate and 7.47% acceptance rate reflect the program's selectivity and strong industry connections throughout New York's chemical sector.

Where do chemical engineering graduates find the most opportunities in New York?

The state's pharmaceutical corridor in Westchester and Long Island employs thousands of chemical engineers, while Manhattan's research institutions offer additional career paths. Companies like Pfizer, IBM's materials division, and specialty chemical manufacturers create steady demand for graduates across all degree levels.

More Chemical Engineering Rankings

Cheapest Chemical Engineering in New York Chemical Engineering Under $20,000 in New York

All Chemical Engineering Programs Best Colleges in New York Best Chemical Engineering in New York

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.