Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in New York

New York's most affordable Liberal Arts and Sciences programs reveal striking disparities between CUNY's bargain prices and SUNY's higher costs. Hunter College delivers the state's lowest net price at just $2,446, while Baruch College graduates earn $36,852 annually despite costing only $2,978 net. The City University system dominates affordability with six schools under $6,000 net cost. These programs prepare students for New York's massive media, nonprofit, and government sectors, where liberal arts graduates fill roles from publishing houses to city agencies. The state's 20 programs span from $2,446 to $17,231 in net costs, with graduation rates varying dramatically from 22% at Medgar Evers to 72% at Baruch. CUNY schools cluster in the most affordable tier, serving students who can access New York City's unparalleled internship and entry-level opportunities without crushing debt loads.

Programs

$2,446 – $23,819

Net Price Range

$30,774

Avg. Program Earnings

58.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY Hunter College New York, New York	$2,446	$7,382	61.0%	47.9%
2	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, New York	$2,978	$7,464	72.1%	49.5%
3	CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, New York	$3,046	$7,470	55.5%	50.7%
4	CUNY Lehman College Bronx, New York	$3,482	$7,410	49.3%	55.3%
5	CUNY City College New York, New York	$3,486	$7,340	54.7%	66.6%
6	College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, New York	$5,115	$7,490	32.8%
7	CUNY Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, New York	$5,881	$7,352	22.3%	87.7%
8	SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, New York	$9,900	$8,379	46.6%	92.1%
9	Empire State University Saratoga Springs, New York	$11,147	$7,630	29.3%
10	SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, New York	$13,882	$8,578	59.2%	81.7%
11	Villa Maria College Buffalo, New York	$13,980	$28,670	31.0%	78.2%
12	Boricua College New York, New York	$14,187	$12,525	70.6%
13	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York	$14,229	$8,486	36.0%	86.0%
14	SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, New York	$14,295	$8,712	47.9%	82.7%
15	SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, New York	$15,644	$8,771	53.5%	84.6%
16	Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, New York	$15,770	$22,106	48.1%	85.9%
17	SUNY Brockport Brockport, New York	$15,844	$8,678	56.6%	67.9%
18	Maria College of Albany Albany, New York	$16,055	$17,680	42.9%	96.9%
19	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, New York	$16,547	$8,881	58.8%	70.2%
20	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231	$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
21	St. Joseph's University-New York Brooklyn, New York	$17,622	$34,535	64.2%	76.7%
22	Daemen University Amherst, New York	$18,244	$33,724	58.4%	79.9%
23	Canisius University Buffalo, New York	$18,322	$32,720	70.7%	77.7%
24	Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York	$18,430	$10,560	77.8%	49.1%
25	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481	$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
26	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
27	Niagara University Niagara University, New York	$18,740	$38,135	70.2%	89.6%
28	SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, New York	$18,833	$8,812	70.2%	72.5%
29	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, New York	$19,067	$8,953	61.6%	74.7%
30	D'Youville University Buffalo, New York	$19,585	$33,560	56.7%	84.0%
31	University of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, New York	$19,920	$42,740	57.1%	88.9%
32	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, New York	$19,951	$8,815	68.2%	59.8%
33	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$20,148	$69,045	95.0%	4.0%
34	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470	$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
35	Five Towns College Dix Hills, New York	$20,799	$29,950	49.0%	58.3%
36	Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, New York	$21,132	$63,678	70.0%	49.9%
37	Houghton University Houghton, New York	$21,148	$17,290	64.7%	77.0%
38	St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, New York	$21,344	$37,720	62.6%	88.6%
39	Binghamton University Vestal, New York	$21,364	$10,363	83.6%	41.8%
40	Le Moyne College Syracuse, New York	$21,547	$38,970	71.0%	78.3%
41	St. Francis College Brooklyn, New York	$21,614	$27,570	52.3%	84.3%
42	SUNY Maritime College Throggs Neck, New York	$21,781	$8,540	74.9%	80.3%
43	Utica University Utica, New York	$21,869	$24,308	55.5%	80.9%
44	Hilbert College Hamburg, New York	$22,100	$32,150	47.0%	95.5%
45	Alfred University Alfred, New York	$22,701	$39,530	55.5%	50.6%
46	Wells College Aurora, New York	$22,921	$35,166	40.9%	87.7%
47	Russell Sage College Troy, New York	$23,027	$36,756	65.7%	73.6%
48	Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, New York	$23,461	$37,504	63.9%	99.5%
49	Elmira College Elmira, New York	$23,735	$37,932	64.0%	96.0%
50	The College of Saint Rose Albany, New York	$23,819	$37,452	51.0%	78.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools so much cheaper than SUNY options for liberal arts?

CUNY schools dominate the most affordable tier with six institutions under $6,000 net cost, compared to SUNY schools that typically range from $9,900 to $15,644. Hunter College costs just $2,446 net while SUNY Old Westbury runs $9,900 net for similar programs. CUNY's urban campuses also eliminate room and board costs for commuting students. The city system receives additional municipal funding that helps keep tuition lower than the state university system.

How do graduation rates compare across New York's cheapest liberal arts programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 22% at CUNY Medgar Evers to 72% at CUNY Baruch College. Most CUNY schools fall between 32% and 61% graduation rates, while SUNY institutions typically achieve 46% to 59% rates. Baruch stands out with both low cost ($2,978 net) and high completion rates (72%). The wide variation suggests that institutional support and student preparation matter significantly beyond just affordability.

Is Empire State University worth the higher cost for liberal arts students?

Empire State University graduates earn $38,289 annually, the highest among these affordable programs, despite a modest 29% graduation rate. The net cost of $11,147 falls in the middle range but delivers top earnings potential. The university's flexible degree programs attract working adults who may take longer to graduate but enter higher-paying positions. However, the low completion rate suggests this path works better for self-directed learners with clear career goals.

Does location within New York affect job prospects for liberal arts graduates?

New York City campuses like Hunter, Baruch, and John Jay provide direct access to the nation's largest media, finance, and nonprofit job markets. Graduates from these schools earn between $34,704 and $36,852 annually, reflecting the city's higher wages and abundant entry-level opportunities. Upstate SUNY schools typically show lower earnings, like Buffalo State at $26,187, but also face less competition and lower living costs. The city's internship networks often lead to full-time positions for liberal arts students.

Where do students find the best value combination of low cost and strong outcomes?

CUNY Baruch College offers strong value with a $2,978 net cost, 72% graduation rate, and $36,852 average earnings. Hunter College provides the lowest net cost at $2,446 with a solid 61% graduation rate, though earnings data isn't available. CUNY City College balances affordability ($3,486 net) with decent outcomes (55% graduation rate, $35,751 earnings). These three schools demonstrate that New York's best liberal arts values concentrate in the CUNY system's flagship institutions.

More Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Rankings

Best Value Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in New York Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Under $20,000 in New York

All Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs Best Colleges in New York Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in New York

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