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Best Value Psychology Colleges in New York

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

CUNY Hunter College delivers psychology education at just $2,446 net cost while graduates earn $29,482 annually, creating one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. The 20 psychology programs across New York span from this bargain to private options costing over $21,000, yet earnings remain surprisingly consistent between $26,933 and $36,488. CUNY dominates the affordability market with nine schools under $6,000 net cost, while SUNY institutions fill the middle tier. Psychology graduates find rich opportunities in New York's mental health sector, which employs over 180,000 professionals across hospitals, clinics, and private practice settings throughout the metropolitan area. The state's Tuition Assistance Program helps reduce costs further for in-state students, though living expenses in NYC can offset these savings. Baruch College stands out with the highest graduate earnings at $35,546 despite costing only $2,978 net, while several programs show concerning graduation rates below 50 percent that prospective students should carefully consider.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $39,253
Net Price Range
$31,464
Avg. Program Earnings
61.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Psychology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $29,482 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,978 $35,546 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
3 $2,943 $28,932 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
4 $3,486 $32,177 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
5 $3,482 $29,443 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
6 $3,830 $30,004 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
7 $4,734 $35,341 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
8 $5,115 $31,616 $7,490 32.8%
9 $5,881 $31,042 $7,352 22.3% 87.7%
10 $9,900 $34,135 $8,379 46.6% 92.1%
11 $11,147 $30,926 $7,630 29.3%
12 $14,229 $29,322 $8,486 36.0% 86.0%
13 $13,882 $28,133 $8,578 59.2% 81.7%
14 $15,770 $30,499 $22,106 48.1% 85.9%
15 $15,844 $30,318 $8,678 56.6% 67.9%
16 $15,644 $29,487 $8,771 53.5% 84.6%
17 $14,295 $26,933 $8,712 47.9% 82.7%
18 $18,021 $31,314 $8,966 72.1% 74.9%
19 $16,547 $28,327 $8,881 58.8% 70.2%
20 $21,364 $36,488 $10,363 83.6% 41.8%
21 $18,430 $31,007 $10,560 77.8% 49.1%
22 $18,833 $31,523 $8,812 70.2% 72.5%
23 $17,622 $29,250 $34,535 64.2% 76.7%
24 $28,314 $46,087 $65,740 91.3% 11.8%
25 $29,107 $47,260 $67,024 90.5% 12.4%
26 $18,481 $29,882 $8,524 68.9% 58.3%
27 $17,231 $27,429 $8,769 60.4% 82.6%
28 $19,067 $30,047 $8,953 61.6% 74.7%
29 $18,486 $26,005 $10,408 63.9% 67.9%
30 $32,337 $44,747 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%
31 $23,027 $31,133 $36,756 65.7% 73.6%
32 $20,470 $27,346 $10,782 73.4% 67.7%
33 $21,547 $28,719 $38,970 71.0% 78.3%
34 $19,951 $26,353 $8,815 68.2% 59.8%
35 $23,819 $31,314 $37,452 51.0% 78.0%
36 $19,920 $26,121 $42,740 57.1% 88.9%
37 $23,735 $30,771 $37,932 64.0% 96.0%
38 $25,842 $32,925 $42,950 53.7% 84.1%
39 $22,100 $28,019 $32,150 47.0% 95.5%
40 $23,736 $29,956 $41,370 65.7% 88.3%
41 $21,614 $27,181 $27,570 52.3% 84.3%
42 $39,253 $48,432 $66,246 92.9% 8.8%
43 $19,585 $24,035 $33,560 56.7% 84.0%
44 $30,248 $35,060 $64,348 84.5% 38.9%
45 $21,869 $25,194 $24,308 55.5% 80.9%
46 $31,046 $35,416 $51,424 61.4% 82.9%
47 $26,556 $29,995 $21,810 65.0% 71.3%
48 $27,951 $31,314 $45,880 57.4% 96.4%
49 $26,985 $30,228 $50,110 68.5% 84.7%
50 $27,733 $30,984 $52,000 68.1% 68.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools so affordable for psychology students?

CUNY institutions receive substantial state funding that keeps tuition low, with in-state costs around $7,400 across the system. Net costs after aid drop to as little as $2,446 at Hunter College and $2,978 at Baruch College. The TAP grant program provides additional assistance for New York residents, often covering most or all tuition expenses.

How do graduation rates vary among these psychology programs?

Graduation rates span from 22.3 percent at Medgar Evers College to 72.1 percent at Baruch College. Seven schools fall below 50 percent graduation rates, primarily affecting CUNY institutions with open enrollment policies. Hunter College maintains a solid 61 percent rate while Baruch leads with the highest completion rate among all programs listed.

Is the earnings difference between schools significant enough to matter?

Graduate earnings range from $26,933 to $36,488, creating a $9,555 spread that represents meaningful income differences. Baruch College and York College both produce graduates earning over $35,000 annually. The relatively narrow earnings range suggests that employer demand for psychology graduates remains consistent regardless of which institution they attend.

Does student debt burden vary dramatically across these programs?

Student debt ranges from $8,500 at Lehman College to $24,857 at Buffalo State University. CUNY schools generally produce graduates with debt under $14,000, while SUNY institutions average around $17,000. Mercy University, the lone private school on this list, results in $24,500 average debt despite higher net costs.

Where do psychology graduates find employment in New York?

New York employs over 180,000 mental health professionals across varied settings including major hospital systems like NYU Langone and NewYork-Presbyterian. The state's large population of 19.5 million creates steady demand for clinical psychologists, counselors, and research positions. Major employers include the NYC Department of Health, private practice networks, and pharmaceutical companies conducting behavioral research.

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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.