Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Schools in New York

New York has 30 colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 2,001 recent graduates. Graduates earn $32,466 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $32,158.

School choice matters significantly: St. Francis College graduates earn $52,107 while State University of New York at New Paltz graduates earn $21,052 — a $31,055 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NY

$32,466

NY Avg. Earnings

$32,158

National Avg.

456

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in New York

Public Schools (10)

$29,301

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (17)

$32,968

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $3,667 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Schools in New York, Ranked by Earnings

St. Francis College

Brooklyn, NY · Private

$52,107

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

Excelsior University

Albany, NY ·

$49,660

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $45,508

Graduates: 336

Acceptance: N/A

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Geneva, NY · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,530

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 57.3%

Union College

Schenectady, NY · Private

$39,585

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,903

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 43.8%

The King's College

New York, NY · Private

$38,906

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,000

Graduates: 84

Acceptance: N/A

Empire State University

Saratoga Springs, NY ·

$38,289

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

New York University

New York, NY · Private

$37,088

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,142

Graduates: 403

Acceptance: 9.4%

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

New York, NY · Public

$36,852

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,763

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 50.5%

CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public

$35,751

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,538

Graduates: 153

Acceptance: 58.1%

#10

Pace University

New York, NY · Private

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

New York, NY · Public

$34,704

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,130

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 57.2%

#12

St. Joseph's University-New York

Brooklyn, NY · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,812

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 71.4%

#13

State University of New York at Cortland

Cortland, NY · Public

$33,281

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,581

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 50.7%

#14

Five Towns College

Dix Hills, NY · For-Profit

Molloy University

Rockville Centre, NY · Private

Russell Sage College

Troy, NY · Private

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

$32,284

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,322

Graduates: 105

Acceptance: 71.4%

#18

Dominican University New York

Orangeburg, NY · Private

The College of Saint Rose

Albany, NY · Private

$28,598

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,008

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 73.4%

#20

Daemen University

Amherst, NY · Private

The New School

New York, NY · Private

$27,947

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,416

Graduates: 82

Acceptance: 62.5%

#22

CUNY Medgar Evers College

Brooklyn, NY · Public

$27,476

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,608

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 83.4%

#23

SUNY at Purchase College

Purchase, NY · Public

$26,933

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,933

Graduates: 176

Acceptance: 72.8%

#24

State University of New York at Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, NY · Public

$26,739

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,354

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 75.2%

#25

SUNY Buffalo State University

Buffalo, NY · Public

$26,187

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,658

Graduates: 121

Acceptance: 75.9%

#26

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, NY · Public

$24,035

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,736

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: N/A

#27

Utica University

Utica, NY · Private

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private

Sarah Lawrence College

Bronxville, NY · Private

$21,873

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,028

Graduates: 268

Acceptance: 58.9%

#30

State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY · Public

$21,052

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 58.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in New York?

St. Francis College ranks #1 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in New York with median graduate earnings of $52,107 within two years of graduation. There are 30 schools offering Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs in the state.

How much do Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates earn in New York?

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates in New York earn an average of $32,466 within two years of graduation. This is 1% above the national average of $32,158 for this major.

What is the hardest Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities school to get into in New York?

New York University is the most selective Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities program in New York with an acceptance rate of 9.4%. The average acceptance rate across Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs in the state is 65.2%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in New York?

In New York, private Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs produce average earnings of $32,968 vs $29,301 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 17 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in New York

Computer Science $71,535 Computer Engineering $71,263 Industrial Engineering $69,459 Construction Management $67,560 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $66,924 Materials Engineering $66,884 Civil Engineering $65,927 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $65,117

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Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.