Best Value Finance and Financial Management Services Colleges in New York

New York University finance graduates command the highest earnings at $84,653 annually, yet the most affordable path to Wall Street might begin at CUNY Baruch College with a net cost of just $2,978. This $32,057 cost difference highlights the strategic choices facing finance students in a state where Manhattan alone houses over 200,000 finance professionals. CUNY schools dominate the value equation, with Queens College and Baruch offering sub-$4,000 net costs while preparing students for New York's $2.3 trillion financial services sector. The earnings spread from $39,909 to $84,653 reflects the premium that top-tier finance roles command, particularly in investment banking and private equity where New York remains the global center. Public institutions like Binghamton University deliver strong returns at $21,364 net cost with graduates earning $63,005, while acceptance rates vary dramatically from NYU's selective 12.46% to SUNY Canton's accessible 94.91%. This range gives students multiple entry points into finance careers across the five boroughs and upstate markets.

Programs

$2,943 – $47,560

Net Price Range

$52,452

Avg. Program Earnings

62.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

45 Finance and Financial Management Services Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, New York	$2,978	$49,501	$7,464	72.1%	49.5%
2	CUNY Queens College Queens, New York	$3,830	$39,909	$7,538	60.2%	69.5%
3	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, New York	$16,547	$50,856	$8,881	58.8%	70.2%
4	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, New York	$14,488	$43,426	$8,862	52.7%	81.7%
5	Binghamton University Vestal, New York	$21,364	$63,005	$10,363	83.6%	41.8%
6	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231	$50,439	$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
7	SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, New York	$15,644	$45,207	$8,771	53.5%	84.6%
8	SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton, New York	$15,001	$43,240	$8,689	44.1%	94.9%
9	SUNY Brockport Brockport, New York	$15,844	$40,527	$8,678	56.6%	67.9%
10	New York University New York, New York	$35,035	$84,653	$60,438	88.5%	12.5%
11	Manhattanville College Purchase, New York	$25,842	$61,020	$42,950	53.7%	84.1%
12	Canisius University Buffalo, New York	$18,322	$42,961	$32,720	70.7%	77.7%
13	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481	$43,128	$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
14	St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, New York	$21,344	$46,087	$37,720	62.6%	88.6%
15	St. John's University-New York Queens, New York	$26,985	$58,221	$50,110	68.5%	84.7%
16	Le Moyne College Syracuse, New York	$21,547	$46,087	$38,970	71.0%	78.3%
17	Manhattan College Riverdale, New York	$26,881	$55,813	$50,850	66.0%	82.3%
18	Adelphi University Garden City, New York	$28,348	$57,995	$47,290	68.9%	72.8%
19	St Bonaventure University Saint Bonaventure, New York	$27,151	$52,941	$40,150	70.4%	81.1%
20	Pace University New York, New York	$31,046	$59,253	$51,424	61.4%	82.9%
21	Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York	$29,694	$56,415	$57,016	70.8%	67.2%
22	Iona University New Rochelle, New York	$27,951	$52,107	$45,880	57.4%	96.4%
23	St. John Fisher University Rochester, New York	$28,150	$50,022	$39,666	74.4%	73.1%
24	Fordham University Bronx, New York	$42,581	$73,195	$61,992	80.3%	54.1%
25	Berkeley College-New York New York, New York	$25,133	$40,485	$28,600	40.3%
26	Hofstra University Hempstead, New York	$35,129	$56,234	$55,450	67.1%	69.3%
27	Siena College Loudonville, New York	$32,697	$51,607	$44,405	75.8%	80.4%
28	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$41,026	$64,087	$63,061	81.4%	51.8%
29	Nazareth University Rochester, New York	$30,521	$42,682	$40,880	72.9%	83.9%
30	SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, New York	$9,900		$8,379	46.6%	92.1%
31	SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, New York	$13,882		$8,578	59.2%	81.7%
32	New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, New York	$20,709		$44,360	56.0%	75.7%
33	Touro University New York, New York	$26,556		$21,810	65.0%	71.3%
34	Yeshiva University New York, New York	$47,560		$49,900	83.7%	63.2%
35	SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, New York	$17,980		$8,676	40.9%	84.0%
36	The College of Saint Rose Albany, New York	$23,819		$37,452	51.0%	78.0%
37	Niagara University Niagara University, New York	$18,740		$38,135	70.2%	89.6%
38	Molloy College Rockville Centre, New York	$26,870		$37,840	71.8%	76.6%
39	Marymount Manhattan College New York, New York	$37,037		$40,260	49.8%	72.1%
40	Long Island University Brookville, New York	$23,901		$41,642	55.4%	92.7%
41	Elmira College Elmira, New York	$23,735		$37,932	64.0%	96.0%
42	Dominican University New York Orangeburg, New York	$26,187		$33,060	56.8%	89.0%
43	CUNY York College Jamaica, New York	$4,734		$7,358	30.3%	59.1%
44	CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, New York	$2,943		$7,452	56.6%	54.5%
45	Alfred University Alfred, New York	$22,701		$39,530	55.5%	50.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Baruch College such strong value for finance students?

Baruch College delivers a $2,978 net cost while producing graduates earning $49,501 annually, creating an immediate return on investment that few programs can match. The college sits in Manhattan's financial district, offering unparalleled internship access to major banks and investment firms. With a 72.10% graduation rate and 49.53% acceptance rate, Baruch maintains academic standards while remaining accessible to qualified students seeking finance careers.

How do earnings compare between public and private finance programs in New York?

Private institutions show the highest earning potential, with NYU graduates commanding $84,653 and St. John's University graduates earning $58,221 annually. However, several public options deliver competitive returns, including Binghamton University at $63,005 and SUNY Plattsburgh at $50,856. The earnings gap often reflects geographic factors, with NYC-area programs typically producing higher-earning graduates due to local finance industry concentration.

Is the high cost of private finance programs justified by career outcomes?

NYU's $35,035 net cost produces the highest earnings at $84,653, creating a strong long-term return despite the initial investment. Manhattanville College graduates earn $61,020 at a $25,842 net cost, showing solid value among private options. However, public alternatives like Binghamton University offer comparable career prospects at significantly lower costs, making the choice highly dependent on individual financial circumstances and career goals.

Does location within New York affect finance program value and outcomes?

Manhattan and NYC-area programs consistently produce higher earnings, with Baruch College and NYU graduates accessing Wall Street opportunities directly. Upstate programs like SUNY Plattsburgh and Alfred offer lower costs but may require graduates to relocate for top finance positions. The $20,000+ earnings difference between some NYC and upstate programs reflects the concentration of high-paying finance jobs in the metropolitan area.

What acceptance rates should finance students expect at New York programs?

Acceptance rates span from NYU's highly selective 12.46% to SUNY Canton's open-access 94.91%, offering options for every academic profile. Mid-tier programs like Baruch College (49.53%) and SUNY New Paltz (58.27%) provide competitive admission standards with strong career outcomes. Most SUNY schools maintain acceptance rates above 60%, ensuring multiple pathways into quality finance education across different cost points.

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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.