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CUNY Brooklyn College offers finance students the state's most affordable education at just $2,943 net cost, while CUNY Baruch graduates earn $49,501 annually after graduation. This dramatic cost advantage matters in New York, where Wall Street firms, investment banks, and fintech companies create intense competition for finance roles. The CUNY system dominates the most affordable options, with Brooklyn College, Baruch, and Queens College all charging under $4,000 net annually. Private institutions like Canisius University cost six times more at $18,322 net price, yet CUNY Baruch graduates often out-earn their private school counterparts. New York's finance sector employs over 400,000 professionals across banking, insurance, and investment management, making affordable preparation programs particularly valuable for students entering this competitive field.
45
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 In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
2 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
3 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
4 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
5 $9,900 $8,379 46.6% 92.1%
6 $13,882 $8,578 59.2% 81.7%
7 $14,488 $8,862 52.7% 81.7%
8 $15,001 $8,689 44.1% 94.9%
9 $15,644 $8,771 53.5% 84.6%
10 $15,844 $8,678 56.6% 67.9%
11 $16,547 $8,881 58.8% 70.2%
12 $17,231 $8,769 60.4% 82.6%
13 $17,980 $8,676 40.9% 84.0%
14 $18,322 $32,720 70.7% 77.7%
15 $18,481 $8,524 68.9% 58.3%
16 $18,740 $38,135 70.2% 89.6%
17 $20,709 $44,360 56.0% 75.7%
18 $21,344 $37,720 62.6% 88.6%
19 $21,364 $10,363 83.6% 41.8%
20 $21,547 $38,970 71.0% 78.3%
21 $22,701 $39,530 55.5% 50.6%
22 $23,735 $37,932 64.0% 96.0%
23 $23,819 $37,452 51.0% 78.0%
24 $23,901 $41,642 55.4% 92.7%
25 $25,133 $28,600 40.3%
26 $25,842 $42,950 53.7% 84.1%
27 $26,187 $33,060 56.8% 89.0%
28 $26,556 $21,810 65.0% 71.3%
29 $26,870 $37,840 71.8% 76.6%
30 $26,881 $50,850 66.0% 82.3%
31 $26,985 $50,110 68.5% 84.7%
32 $27,151 $40,150 70.4% 81.1%
33 $27,951 $45,880 57.4% 96.4%
34 $28,150 $39,666 74.4% 73.1%
35 $28,348 $47,290 68.9% 72.8%
36 $29,694 $57,016 70.8% 67.2%
37 $30,521 $40,880 72.9% 83.9%
38 $31,046 $51,424 61.4% 82.9%
39 $32,697 $44,405 75.8% 80.4%
40 $35,035 $60,438 88.5% 12.5%
41 $35,129 $55,450 67.1% 69.3%
42 $37,037 $40,260 49.8% 72.1%
43 $41,026 $63,061 81.4% 51.8%
44 $42,581 $61,992 80.3% 54.1%
45 $47,560 $49,900 83.7% 63.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Baruch so affordable compared to other finance programs?

CUNY Baruch charges just $2,978 net cost while maintaining a 49.53% acceptance rate and producing graduates who earn $49,501 annually. As a public institution, Baruch benefits from state funding and serves primarily New York residents. The school's Manhattan location provides direct access to internships and networking opportunities that help justify its strong employment outcomes. Students graduate with only $11,750 in debt on average, making Baruch one of the best value propositions for finance education nationwide.

How do graduation rates vary among New York's cheapest finance programs?

Graduation rates span from 30.30% at CUNY York College to 72.10% at CUNY Baruch, showing significant variation even within the same university system. CUNY Brooklyn College achieves a respectable 56.60% graduation rate despite charging the lowest net cost at $2,943. Private schools like Canisius University reach 70.70% graduation rates but cost $18,322 annually. The data suggests that affordability and graduation success can coexist, particularly at well-established campuses like Baruch and Brooklyn College.

What earning potential do graduates from affordable New York finance programs have?

Early career earnings range from $39,909 for CUNY Queens College graduates to $50,856 for SUNY Plattsburgh alumni. Several affordable options produce strong earning outcomes, including SUNY Oswego graduates at $50,439 and SUNY Plattsburgh at $50,856 annually. CUNY Baruch stands out with $49,501 median earnings despite its $2,978 net cost. These figures demonstrate that students can access high-paying finance careers without accumulating excessive debt at expensive private institutions.

Is student debt manageable at New York's most affordable finance schools?

Average debt loads remain reasonable across most affordable programs, ranging from $11,750 at CUNY Baruch to $26,500 at SUNY Plattsburgh. CUNY institutions typically produce graduates with debt under $15,000, while SUNY schools average around $20,000. SUNY Canton represents an outlier with $24,339 average debt despite moderate earning potential of $43,240. Students at the most affordable programs often graduate with debt-to-income ratios well below national averages, supporting strong financial outcomes early in their careers.

Where should students prioritize applying among New York's budget-friendly finance programs?

CUNY Baruch offers the best combination of affordability, earnings potential, and graduation rates with 72.10% completion and $49,501 median salary. CUNY Brooklyn College provides the absolute lowest cost at $2,943 but has limited earnings data available. Students should also consider SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY Oswego, which produce graduates earning over $50,000 annually. Geographic preferences matter significantly, as New York City campuses provide better internship access while upstate schools often offer lower living costs.

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