Hidden gem colleges in New York
Strong academics and solid results at a below-average sticker price, at colleges that admit most applicants.
Hidden gem colleges in New York5 schools
5 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in New York.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence of 80 or higher.
- Graduation rate of 60% or more and median earnings ten years after enrolling of $50,000 or more from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Sticker price (cost of attendance) below the median for colleges on the Compass, and an admission rate of 50% or more.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY · PublicTop 10% for graduation
- Sticker price $26,838 a year
- 81% graduate
- 2
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Sticker price $30,785 a year
- 75% graduate
- 3
SUNY College at Geneseo
Geneseo, NY · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Sticker price $27,709 a year
- 71% graduate
- 4
State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz, NY · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Sticker price $28,428 a year
- 72% graduate
- 5
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Syracuse, NY · PublicTop 10% for low debt
- Sticker price $28,133 a year
- 66% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Institute of Technology | $19,095 | $12,000 | $62,696 | 81% |
| University at Buffalo | $20,995 | $19,000 | $70,814 | 75% |
| SUNY College at Geneseo | $18,211 | $19,500 | $67,316 | 71% |
| State University of New York at New Paltz | $18,809 | $18,750 | $58,073 | 72% |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | $18,952 | $11,000 | $55,763 | 66% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.