Best Economics Degrees in New York by ROI
Colleges in New York ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in New York
38
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$168,815
Across New York programs
Average Annual Cost
$51,228
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$577,504 | $86,862 | $79,934 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Barnard College
Grad rate: 92.2% |
+$557,115 | $87,791 | $84,023 | $16,750 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Marist University
Grad rate: 80.6% |
+$553,368 | $84,203 | $63,898 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Colgate University
Grad rate: 90.9% |
+$536,615 | $86,742 | $83,650 | $17,500 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Columbia University in the City of New York
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$526,122 | $87,202 | $86,042 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Hamilton College
Grad rate: 91.8% |
+$501,022 | $84,359 | $80,380 | $18,250 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Cornell University
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$471,931 | $83,282 | $83,196 | $15,500 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
SUNY at Purchase College
Grad rate: 64.2% |
+$389,068 | $68,731 | $28,541 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Pace University
Grad rate: 61.4% |
+$306,837 | $72,711 | $68,092 | $25,937 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Union College
Grad rate: 85.0% |
+$286,162 | $74,456 | $81,627 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Binghamton University
Grad rate: 83.2% |
+$282,741 | $63,413 | $29,657 | $19,919 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
University of Rochester
Grad rate: 87.0% |
+$275,892 | $73,661 | $82,600 | $19,946 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
New York University
Grad rate: 87.8% |
+$275,268 | $73,022 | $79,121 | $21,250 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Grad rate: 72.8% |
+$214,682 | $56,232 | $13,521 | $11,758 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Skidmore College
Grad rate: 83.0% |
+$176,200 | $67,188 | $81,890 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Economics Degrees by State
Browse Economics programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.