Best Value Chemistry Colleges in New York

Chemistry students in New York face a massive cost spectrum ranging from CUNY Hunter College's $2,446 net price to Hamilton College's $28,314, yet earnings potential varies dramatically from $10,925 to $51,273 annually. The three CUNY schools dominate the lowest-cost options, with Hunter, City College, and Brooklyn College all under $3,500 net price, though Brooklyn College graduates earn just $10,925 compared to Hunter's $21,964. New York's pharmaceutical corridor along the I-287 biotech belt and major research hospitals create strong demand for chemistry graduates, particularly in drug development and clinical research roles. Public universities like Stony Brook offer solid middle-ground value at $18,430 net cost with $42,235 earnings, while SUNY Geneseo delivers strong outcomes with 72% graduation rates. Hamilton College stands alone as the premium option with 91% graduation rates and the highest earnings at $51,273, though students pay significantly more. The state's TAP grant program helps offset costs for in-state students, making the SUNY system particularly attractive for chemistry majors seeking research opportunities without crushing debt.

Programs

$2,446 – $47,560

Net Price Range

$34,427

Avg. Program Earnings

66.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Chemistry Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY Hunter College New York, New York	$2,446	$21,964	$7,382	61.0%	47.9%
2	CUNY City College New York, New York	$3,486	$25,194	$7,340	54.7%	66.6%
3	CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, New York	$2,943	$10,925	$7,452	56.6%	54.5%
4	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York	$14,229	$38,289	$8,486	36.0%	86.0%
5	Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York	$18,430	$42,235	$10,560	77.8%	49.1%
6	SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, New York	$18,833	$38,289	$8,812	70.2%	72.5%
7	SUNY College at Geneseo Geneseo, New York	$18,021	$36,141	$8,966	72.1%	74.9%
8	Hamilton College Clinton, New York	$28,314	$51,273	$65,740	91.3%	11.8%
9	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470	$35,274	$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
10	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$31,305	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
11	Binghamton University Vestal, New York	$21,364	$32,925	$10,363	83.6%	41.8%
12	Clarkson University Potsdam, New York	$31,955	$49,058	$57,950	73.6%	78.4%
13	Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York	$29,694	$42,682	$57,016	70.8%	67.2%
14	St. John Fisher University Rochester, New York	$28,150	$38,289	$39,666	74.4%	73.1%
15	Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, New York	$34,581	$36,848	$65,030	81.7%	25.5%
16	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$32,337	$26,353	$66,014	95.1%	7.5%
17	New York University New York, New York	$35,035	$28,212	$60,438	88.5%	12.5%
18	St. John's University-New York Queens, New York	$26,985		$50,110	68.5%	84.7%
19	St. Joseph's University-New York Brooklyn, New York	$17,622		$34,535	64.2%	76.7%
20	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481		$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
21	Siena College Loudonville, New York	$32,697		$44,405	75.8%	80.4%
22	The College of Saint Rose Albany, New York	$23,819		$37,452	51.0%	78.0%
23	St Lawrence University Canton, New York	$30,561		$63,870	79.7%	63.5%
24	St. Francis College Brooklyn, New York	$21,614		$27,570	52.3%	84.3%
25	SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, New York	$18,730		$9,206	69.9%	69.5%
26	St Bonaventure University Saint Bonaventure, New York	$27,151		$40,150	70.4%	81.1%
27	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, New York	$16,547		$8,881	58.8%	70.2%
28	Yeshiva University New York, New York	$47,560		$49,900	83.7%	63.2%
29	Wells College Aurora, New York	$22,921		$35,166	40.9%	87.7%
30	Wagner College Staten Island, New York	$27,733		$52,000	68.1%	68.5%
31	Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York	$38,182		$67,805	89.1%	18.7%
32	Utica University Utica, New York	$21,869		$24,308	55.5%	80.9%
33	Union College Schenectady, New York	$36,000		$66,456	85.3%	46.5%
34	Touro University New York, New York	$26,556		$21,810	65.0%	71.3%
35	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$41,026		$63,061	81.4%	51.8%
36	SUNY Brockport Brockport, New York	$15,844		$8,678	56.6%	67.9%
37	SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, New York	$9,900		$8,379	46.6%	92.1%
38	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, New York	$19,067		$8,953	61.6%	74.7%
39	SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, New York	$14,295		$8,712	47.9%	82.7%
40	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231		$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
41	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York	$33,139		$61,884	83.2%	64.5%
42	SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, New York	$15,644		$8,771	53.5%	84.6%
43	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, New York	$19,951		$8,815	68.2%	59.8%
44	CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, New York	$4,783		$7,332	19.4%	81.8%
45	Hofstra University Hempstead, New York	$35,129		$55,450	67.1%	69.3%
46	Hobart William Smith Colleges Geneva, New York	$31,057		$63,268	72.7%	68.4%
47	Hartwick College Oneonta, New York	$29,800		$52,849	46.2%	59.7%
48	Fordham University Bronx, New York	$42,581		$61,992	80.3%	54.1%
49	Elmira College Elmira, New York	$23,735		$37,932	64.0%	96.0%
50	D'Youville University Buffalo, New York	$19,585		$33,560	56.7%	84.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Hunter College such a standout value for chemistry students?

Hunter College offers the lowest net price at just $2,446 while delivering respectable earnings of $21,964 for chemistry graduates. The school maintains a competitive 48% acceptance rate and achieves a 61% graduation rate despite its affordability. Hunter's Manhattan location provides direct access to pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and biotech startups throughout the city.

How do private chemistry programs compare to public options in New York?

Private schools like Hamilton College command net prices around $28,314 but deliver the highest earnings at $51,273, representing strong return on investment. Rochester Institute of Technology costs $29,694 but produces graduates earning $42,682 with a solid 71% graduation rate. Public alternatives like Stony Brook offer comparable earnings of $42,235 at just $18,430 net cost, making them attractive middle-ground options.

Is SUNY Buffalo State worth considering despite its lower graduation rate?

Buffalo State's 36% graduation rate raises concerns, but chemistry graduates who complete the program earn $38,289 annually. The school's $14,229 net price falls between the ultra-affordable CUNY options and pricier SUNY flagships. Its 86% acceptance rate makes it accessible for students who need more support, though completion requires careful planning and commitment.

Does Binghamton University offer good value despite higher costs than other SUNY schools?

Binghamton justifies its $21,364 net price with an impressive 84% graduation rate and solid earnings of $32,925 for chemistry majors. The school maintains selectivity with a 42% acceptance rate while keeping student debt reasonable at $19,500. Binghamton's research opportunities and strong alumni network provide career advantages that offset the higher upfront investment.

Where do New York chemistry graduates typically find employment after graduation?

New York's pharmaceutical corridor along Route 287 hosts major companies like Regeneron, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Pfizer research facilities. The state's extensive hospital systems, including NewYork-Presbyterian and Mount Sinai, create demand for clinical chemistry positions. Additionally, the financial sector employs chemistry graduates in quantitative analysis roles, while environmental consulting firms throughout the Hudson Valley offer specialized career paths.

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