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Cornell Leads NY Best Value College List
29 Oct
Summary
- Cornell University ranked 28th nationally for best value.
- U.S. News evaluated over 1,700 colleges for the report.
- Best value combines academic quality with affordability.

Cornell University has been recognized as New York's premier best-value institution, earning a national rank of 28th in the latest U.S. News & World Report. The University of Rochester and Binghamton University followed closely, ranking 30th and 35th respectively.
This annual assessment by U.S. News & World Report examined over 1,700 colleges and universities nationwide. The methodology prioritizes academic quality, including graduation and retention rates, alongside factors like social mobility and graduates' earning potential by major.
The best-value calculation specifically balances a school's academic caliber against the cost for out-of-state students who receive average need-based aid. Higher academic quality paired with lower costs results in a superior value score, highlighting institutions that offer both educational excellence and financial accessibility.