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Urban Colleges in New York

50 schools in New York. See our methodology.

New York's urban college market reveals stark contrasts, from CUNY Hunter's $2,446 net price to Barnard's $39,253 annual cost. Among 169 institutions, specialized nursing programs dominate the top performers, with St. Joseph's College of Nursing achieving perfect 100% graduation rates alongside Columbia's 95% completion rate. The state's urban campuses serve over 100,000 students across acceptance rates spanning 4% to 80%. Finance and healthcare drive much of the regional economy, reflected in strong post-graduation earnings reaching $131,426 for Albany College of Pharmacy graduates. CUNY schools offer remarkable value propositions, with Baruch College combining a $2,978 net price with $75,971 median earnings. Meanwhile, specialized institutions like Fashion Institute of Technology connect directly to New York's media and design industries. The Cooper Union maintains its unique position with significant financial aid, bringing costs down to $16,478 despite its selective 22% acceptance rate. TAP grants help New York residents manage costs in a state where living expenses rank among the nation's highest, particularly in the New York City metropolitan area.
50
Schools
$22,670
Avg. Net Price
$68,928
Avg. Earnings
70.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Urban Colleges in New York

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 City-Midsize 283 $29,688 100.0%
2 City-Large 8,899 $20,148 95.0%
3 City-Small 15,935 $32,337 95.1%
4 City-Midsize 509 $26,027 68.8%
5 City-Large 273 100.0%
6 City-Large 1,242 $21,781 74.9%
7 City-Large 15,734 $2,978 72.1%
8 City-Large 7,575 $22,024 83.3%
9 City-Large 3,219 $39,253 92.9%
10 City-Large 891 $16,478 80.3%
11 City-Large 29,430 $35,035 88.5%
12 City-Large 945 $31,766 41.5%
13 City-Large 16,642 $2,446 61.0%
14 City-Large 172 $29,744 86.8%
15 City-Small 2,070 $36,000 85.3%
16 City-Large 722 $37,732
17 City-Small 5,909 $33,139 83.2%
18 City-Midsize 12,100 $18,486 63.9%
19 City-Large 436 $8,943 97.1%
20 City-Large 10,443 $2,943 56.6%
21 City-Midsize 6,488 $30,248 84.5%
22 City-Large 11,340 $3,046 55.5%
23 City-Midsize 1,725 $18,730 69.9%
24 City-Large 13,060 $3,830 60.2%
25 City-Large 11,934 $3,486 54.7%
26 City-Large 10,239 $42,581 80.3%
27 City-Large 10,438 $3,482 49.3%
28 City-Large 661 $39,377 28.3%
29 City-Small 2,729 $5,023 78.4%
30 City-Midsize 15,245 $41,026 81.4%
31 City-Large 401 $14,187 70.6%
32 City-Large 460 $37,903 90.0%
33 City-Large 2,942 $47,560 83.7%
34 City-Large 829 $18,193 62.9%
35 City-Small 29 $19,982 80.0%
36 City-Large 232 $10,079 61.5%
37 City-Large 264 $46,892 67.7%
38 City-Large 4,004 $26,556 65.0%
39 City-Large 25 $12,833 95.5%
40 City-Large 9,387 $5,115 32.8%
41 City-Large 1,157 $31,180 76.9%
42 City-Large 1,768 $18,322 70.7%
43 City-Large 175 $34,530 33.3%
44 City-Large 3,067
45 City-Large 2,928 $26,881 66.0%
46 City-Large 4,439 $4,734 30.3%
47 City-Large 1,104 $39,723 39.9%
48 City-Large 1,579 $27,733 68.1%
49 City-Large 5,670 $10,376 57.5%
50 City-Large 3,343 $17,622 64.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes New York's specialized colleges stand out from traditional universities?

Specialized institutions like Albany College of Pharmacy produce graduates earning $131,426 annually, while Fashion Institute of Technology students average $62,696 in a creative field. St. Joseph's College of Nursing maintains a perfect 100% graduation rate with just 283 students, demonstrating how focused programs can deliver strong outcomes in specific career paths.

How do CUNY schools compare to private institutions in terms of value?

CUNY Hunter College costs just $2,446 annually yet graduates earn $63,163, while Baruch College combines a $2,978 price with $75,971 earnings. These public options serve over 32,000 students combined, offering substantial savings compared to private alternatives that can exceed $35,000 in net costs.

Is Columbia University worth its highly selective admission requirements?

Columbia accepts only 3.95% of applicants but delivers a 95% graduation rate and $102,491 median earnings. With 8,899 students and a net price of $20,148 after aid, it demonstrates how top-tier institutions can justify selectivity through strong financial aid and career outcomes.

Where do nursing students find the best programs in New York?

St. Joseph's College of Nursing achieves 100% graduation rates with graduates earning $81,908, while Mount Sinai Phillips School maintains perfect completion rates and $96,980 earnings. St. Paul's School in Queens shows more variation with 41.5% graduation rates but $104,403 median earnings for successful graduates.

How does location within New York affect college costs and outcomes?

SUNY Maritime in Throggs Neck costs $21,781 with graduates earning $95,951 in maritime industries, while Manhattan schools like NYU charge $35,035 but connect students to finance and media jobs worth $82,509. Regional job markets significantly influence both pricing and career prospects.

What role do acceptance rates play in predicting student success?

Highly selective schools like Cornell (7.47% acceptance) achieve 95.1% graduation rates, but SUNY Maritime accepts 80.33% of applicants while maintaining 74.9% graduation rates. The data shows that institutional support and student fit matter as much as selectivity for completion.

Related

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.