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Best Value Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in New York

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

St. Francis College delivers the highest earnings at $52,107 for Liberal Arts graduates while maintaining a net cost under $22,000, making it an outlier among New York's programs. The state's Liberal Arts market reveals dramatic cost variations, from CUNY Baruch's $2,978 net price to Russell Sage's $23,027, yet most graduates earn between $26,000 and $38,000 annually. New York's finance sector increasingly values Liberal Arts graduates for their analytical thinking and communication skills, with major banks and consulting firms actively recruiting from programs like Baruch College. The CUNY system dominates the value proposition, placing four schools in the top five most affordable options while delivering competitive outcomes. Empire State University stands out with $38,289 in graduate earnings despite a modest 29.3% graduation rate, reflecting the challenges adult learners face in completing degree programs.
50
Programs
$2,978 – $55,359
Net Price Range
$31,622
Avg. Program Earnings
62.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,978 $36,852 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
2 $3,046 $34,704 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
3 $3,486 $35,751 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
4 $5,115 $24,035 $7,490 32.8%
5 $5,881 $27,476 $7,352 22.3% 87.7%
6 $11,147 $38,289 $7,630 29.3%
7 $21,614 $52,107 $27,570 52.3% 84.3%
8 $17,622 $33,993 $34,535 64.2% 76.7%
9 $14,229 $26,187 $8,486 36.0% 86.0%
10 $19,951 $33,281 $8,815 68.2% 59.8%
11 $16,547 $26,739 $8,881 58.8% 70.2%
12 $20,799 $32,569 $29,950 49.0% 58.3%
13 $18,244 $28,236 $33,724 58.4% 79.9%
14 $19,067 $26,933 $8,953 61.6% 74.7%
15 $23,027 $32,391 $36,756 65.7% 73.6%
16 $31,057 $42,682 $63,268 72.7% 68.4%
17 $26,187 $31,848 $33,060 56.8% 89.0%
18 $26,870 $32,569 $37,840 71.8% 76.6%
19 $23,819 $28,598 $37,452 51.0% 78.0%
20 $18,481 $21,052 $8,524 68.9% 58.3%
21 $31,046 $34,801 $51,424 61.4% 82.9%
22 $36,000 $39,585 $66,456 85.3% 46.5%
23 $29,694 $32,284 $57,016 70.8% 67.2%
24 $21,869 $23,649 $24,308 55.5% 80.9%
25 $35,035 $37,088 $60,438 88.5% 12.5%
26 $21,132 $21,873 $63,678 70.0% 49.9%
27 $42,581 $21,894 $61,992 80.3% 54.1%
28 $55,359 $27,947 $56,386 71.2% 57.2%
29 $34,581 $65,030 81.7% 25.5%
30 $28,150 $39,666 74.4% 73.1%
31 $26,985 $50,110 68.5% 84.7%
32 $21,344 $37,720 62.6% 88.6%
33 $17,231 $8,769 60.4% 82.6%
34 $18,486 $10,408 63.9% 67.9%
35 $21,364 $10,363 83.6% 41.8%
36 $9,900 $8,379 46.6% 92.1%
37 $28,348 $47,290 68.9% 72.8%
38 $22,921 $35,166 40.9% 87.7%
39 $27,733 $52,000 68.1% 68.5%
40 $13,980 $28,670 31.0% 78.2%
41 $38,182 $67,805 89.1% 18.7%
42 $26,556 $21,810 65.0% 71.3%
43 $41,026 $63,061 81.4% 51.8%
44 $21,781 $8,540 74.9% 80.3%
45 $20,470 $10,782 73.4% 67.7%
46 $14,295 $8,712 47.9% 82.7%
47 $47,560 $49,900 83.7% 63.2%
48 $18,833 $8,812 70.2% 72.5%
49 $15,644 $8,771 53.5% 84.6%
50 $15,844 $8,678 56.6% 67.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools such strong values for Liberal Arts programs?

CUNY schools occupy four of the five most affordable spots, with net costs ranging from $2,978 at Baruch to $5,881 at Medgar Evers. Baruch College graduates earn $36,852 annually while paying less than $3,000 net cost, creating strong return on investment. The CUNY system's location in New York City provides direct access to internships and entry-level positions in media, finance, and nonprofit sectors.

How do graduation rates vary across New York's Liberal Arts programs?

Graduation rates span from 22.3% at CUNY Medgar Evers to 72.1% at CUNY Baruch College, reflecting different student populations and support systems. Private colleges like St. Joseph's University achieve 64.2% graduation rates but cost significantly more than public alternatives. Schools serving adult learners, such as Empire State University, show lower completion rates at 29.3% due to working students balancing career and education responsibilities.

Does attending a private college guarantee higher earnings in Liberal Arts?

Not necessarily. While St. Francis College leads earnings at $52,107, several CUNY schools deliver comparable outcomes at fraction of the cost. CUNY Baruch graduates earn $36,852 with minimal debt, while some private school graduates earn less despite paying $20,000+ annually. The data shows that program location and internship access often matter more than private versus public status.

What student debt levels should Liberal Arts majors expect?

Reported debt levels range from $11,899 at CUNY Medgar Evers to $25,000 at SUNY Buffalo State. CUNY schools generally produce lower debt burdens due to their affordable tuition structure and TAP grant availability for in-state students. Private colleges show debt levels around $17,000-$18,000, which remains manageable given New York's job market opportunities.

Where do Liberal Arts graduates find employment in New York?

New York's finance sector increasingly recruits Liberal Arts graduates for analyst and client-facing roles, particularly from schools like Baruch College with strong business connections. Media companies, nonprofits, and government agencies throughout the state value the critical thinking and communication skills these programs develop. The high cost of living in NYC metro areas is offset by higher starting salaries, with graduates earning $26,000-$52,000 depending on their school and career path.

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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.