Best Value Music Colleges in New York

Baruch College music graduates earn $35,060 annually while paying just $2,978 in net costs, creating one of the strongest value propositions nationwide. The contrast with private options is stark - Hofstra University charges $35,129 in net costs for graduates earning $24,730. CUNY schools dominate the top value positions, with Hunter College offering the lowest net price at $2,446. This financial advantage matters significantly in New York's music industry, where Broadway theaters, recording studios, and concert venues create steady employment but entry-level positions often start modestly. The state's 15 programs span from specialized institutions like Five Towns College to full universities, with earnings ranging from $13,393 to $35,060. Public university graduates generally see better return on investment, though graduation rates vary widely from SUNY Buffalo State's 36% to Ithaca College's 74%. New York's entertainment economy supports varied music careers beyond performance, including sound engineering, music therapy, and arts administration roles that benefit from the strong business networks these schools provide.

Programs

$2,446 – $55,359

Net Price Range

$22,310

Avg. Program Earnings

68.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Music 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	$32,391	$7,382	61.0%	47.9%
2	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, New York	$2,978	$35,060	$7,464	72.1%	49.5%
3	CUNY Lehman College Bronx, New York	$3,482	$21,052	$7,410	49.3%	55.3%
4	CUNY City College New York, New York	$3,486	$18,771	$7,340	54.7%	66.6%
5	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231	$34,704	$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
6	SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, New York	$14,295	$22,192	$8,712	47.9%	82.7%
7	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York	$14,229	$21,166	$8,486	36.0%	86.0%
8	Five Towns College Dix Hills, New York	$20,799	$28,019	$29,950	49.0%	58.3%
9	Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, New York	$15,770	$16,992	$22,106	48.1%	85.9%
10	The College of Saint Rose Albany, New York	$23,819	$23,340	$37,452	51.0%	78.0%
11	Adelphi University Garden City, New York	$28,348	$25,194	$47,290	68.9%	72.8%
12	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, New York	$19,067	$16,709	$8,953	61.6%	74.7%
13	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481	$15,288	$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
14	Ithaca College Ithaca, New York	$32,965	$24,201	$50,510	74.1%	75.2%
15	Hofstra University Hempstead, New York	$35,129	$24,730	$55,450	67.1%	69.3%
16	University of Rochester Rochester, New York	$30,248	$17,499	$64,348	84.5%	38.9%
17	New York University New York, New York	$35,035	$17,489	$60,438	88.5%	12.5%
18	The New School New York, New York	$55,359	$15,695	$56,386	71.2%	57.2%
19	Manhattan School of Music New York, New York	$47,599	$13,393	$54,600	78.3%	55.0%
20	SUNY College at Geneseo Geneseo, New York	$18,021		$8,966	72.1%	74.9%
21	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470		$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
22	Binghamton University Vestal, New York	$21,364		$10,363	83.6%	41.8%
23	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486		$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
24	Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, New York	$34,581		$65,030	81.7%	25.5%
25	St Lawrence University Canton, New York	$30,561		$63,870	79.7%	63.5%
26	Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York	$18,430		$10,560	77.8%	49.1%
27	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, New York	$19,951		$8,815	68.2%	59.8%
28	SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, New York	$15,644		$8,771	53.5%	84.6%
29	Nazareth University Rochester, New York	$30,521		$40,880	72.9%	83.9%
30	SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, New York	$18,833		$8,812	70.2%	72.5%
31	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, New York	$16,547		$8,881	58.8%	70.2%
32	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$41,026		$63,061	81.4%	51.8%
33	Union College Schenectady, New York	$36,000		$66,456	85.3%	46.5%
34	Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York	$38,182		$67,805	89.1%	18.7%
35	Villa Maria College Buffalo, New York	$13,980		$28,670	31.0%	78.2%
36	Wagner College Staten Island, New York	$27,733		$52,000	68.1%	68.5%
37	Yeshiva University New York, New York	$47,560		$49,900	83.7%	63.2%
38	Fordham University Bronx, New York	$42,581		$61,992	80.3%	54.1%
39	Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, New York	$31,771		$63,612	72.7%	46.1%
40	Barnard College New York, New York	$39,253		$66,246	92.9%	8.8%
41	Canisius University Buffalo, New York	$18,322		$32,720	70.7%	77.7%
42	Colgate University Hamilton, New York	$29,107		$67,024	90.5%	12.4%
43	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$20,148		$69,045	95.0%	4.0%
44	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$32,337		$66,014	95.1%	7.5%
45	CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, New York	$2,943		$7,452	56.6%	54.5%
46	College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, New York	$5,115		$7,490	32.8%
47	CUNY Queens College Queens, New York	$3,830		$7,538	60.2%	69.5%
48	CUNY York College Jamaica, New York	$4,734		$7,358	30.3%	59.1%
49	Elmira College Elmira, New York	$23,735		$37,932	64.0%	96.0%
50	St Bonaventure University Saint Bonaventure, New York	$27,151		$40,150	70.4%	81.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools such strong values for music education?

Four CUNY campuses rank in the top value positions with net costs under $3,500 annually. Hunter College leads with $2,446 net costs and graduates earning $32,391, while Baruch produces the highest-earning graduates at $35,060 despite charging only $2,978. These schools benefit from New York's Tuition Assistance Program and provide access to the city's music industry without the debt burden of private institutions.

How do graduation rates vary among New York music programs?

Graduation rates span from 36% at SUNY Buffalo State to 74% at Ithaca College, reflecting different student populations and program structures. Private schools generally show higher completion rates, with Ithaca at 74% and Baruch at 72%, while some SUNY schools struggle with retention. The College of Saint Rose graduates 51% of students despite charging $23,819 in net costs, suggesting completion challenges even at expensive private institutions.

Is studying music at private colleges worth the higher cost in New York?

Private music programs cost significantly more but don't guarantee higher earnings. Hofstra charges $35,129 annually for graduates earning $24,730, while Baruch costs $2,978 for graduates earning $35,060. Ithaca College students pay $32,965 but earn only $24,201 after graduation. The data suggests public institutions offer better financial returns for music degrees in New York.

Does location within New York affect music program value?

New York City campuses generally offer better earning potential despite higher living costs. Manhattan-based Hunter and Baruch produce graduates earning over $32,000, while upstate programs like SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Potsdam show lower earnings around $15,000-22,000. However, upstate schools often have lower net costs, with Potsdam charging $14,295 compared to NYC area prices.

What career outcomes can music graduates expect in New York's job market?

Earnings range from $13,393 to $35,060, reflecting the varied career paths available in New York's music economy. The state's Broadway theaters, recording studios, and media companies create opportunities beyond traditional performance roles. Music therapy, sound engineering, and arts administration positions often provide more stable income than performance careers. Graduates from schools with strong business connections typically see better employment outcomes.

More Music Rankings

Cheapest Music in New York Music Under $20,000 in New York

All Music Programs Best Colleges in New York Best Music in New York

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