The Best Business Schools in NYC for 2026
The best business schools in NYC are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name on the building. Hakia analyzed 265 accredited business programs in New York City and ranked 18 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $6,930 to $66,722 a year, a $59,792 spread for the same credential.
New York University leads with a 100 Hakia Score on an 88% graduation rate, at $62,796 a year. Across all 18 ranked business schools in NYC the average graduation rate is 69%, ranging from 51% to 96%. 8 of the 18 are public and 10 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at what actually separates the business schools in NYC: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. Every school here sits inside the five boroughs. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Business Schools in NYC
- New York University ranks first among business schools in NYC with a 100 Hakia Score and an 88% graduation rate.
- Tuition across the 18 ranked business schools in NYC spans $6,930 to $66,722 a year, a $59,792 gap for the same credential.
- The 18 ranked business schools in NYC graduate 69% of students on average, from 51% to 96%.
- 8 of the 18 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate is what New York residents actually pay.
- 3 of the 18 offer a confirmed online option, which matters in a city where commuting time is the real cost.
Hakia analyzed 265 accredited business programs in New York City reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes, then ranked one entry per school on its strongest program. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 18 Best Business Schools in NYC, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York UniversityNew York, NY · online option | Nonprofit | $62,796 | 88% | 9% | 100.0 |
| 2 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY | Nonprofit | $66,722 | 96% | 4% | 98.7 |
| 3 | Fashion Institute of TechnologyNew York, NY | Public | $7,170 | 81% | 60% | 96.0 |
| 4 | Fordham UniversityBronx, NY | Nonprofit | $62,990 | 82% | 59% | 93.7 |
| 5 | Yeshiva UniversityNew York, NY | Nonprofit | $47,150 | 83% | 56% | 93.7 |
| 6 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew York, NY | Public | $6,930 | 72% | 48% | 93.5 |
| 7 | Touro UniversityNew York, NY | Nonprofit | $19,472 | 72% | 61% | 91.7 |
| 8 | CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York, NY | Public | $6,930 | NR | 68% | 91.2 |
| 9 | The New SchoolNew York, NY | Nonprofit | $57,374 | 69% | 63% | 86.4 |
| 10 | CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, NY | Public | $6,930 | 57% | 54% | 86.3 |
| 11 | St. Joseph's University-New YorkBrooklyn, NY | Nonprofit | $35,840 | 69% | 72% | 86.0 |
| 12 | CUNY City CollegeNew York, NY | Public | $6,930 | 57% | 60% | 85.0 |
| 13 | Pace UniversityNew York, NY | Nonprofit | $51,602 | 60% | 76% | 84.9 |
| 14 | St. John's University-New YorkQueens, NY | Nonprofit | $51,919 | 66% | 83% | 84.7 |
| 15 | CUNY Queens CollegeQueens, NY | Public | $6,930 | 53% | 64% | 82.7 |
| 16 | Monroe UniversityBronx, NY · online option | For-profit | $16,344 | 57% | 68% | 82.1 |
| 17 | CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, NY · online option | Public | $6,930 | 54% | 58% | 81.7 |
| 18 | CUNY Lehman CollegeBronx, NY | Public | $6,930 | 51% | 57% | 80.8 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top Business Schools in NYC at a Glance
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
Inside the Top Business Schools in NYC
New York University
New York, NY · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 88%
- Admit rate
- 9%
- In-state
- $62,796
- Out-of-state
- $62,796
NYU graduates 88% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on a 100.0 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 100.0, #1 of 18
- 88% graduation rate
- $62,796 tuition
- Largest campus in this ranking
Based in New York, NY, NYU is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #1 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 100.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 88.8 group average. The program graduates 88% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. NYU admits 9% of applicants, more selective than the 57% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Columbia, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 51% to 96%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 56,832 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, NYU charges $62,796 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,930 at Baruch College to $66,722 at Columbia. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 96%
- Admit rate
- 4%
- In-state
- $66,722
- Out-of-state
- $66,722
Columbia graduates 96% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on a 98.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 98.7, #2 of 18
- 96% graduation rate
- $66,722 tuition
- Most selective program here
Based in New York, NY, Columbia is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #2 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 98.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 88.8 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 1.3 points behind top-ranked NYU. The program graduates 96% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Columbia admits 4% of applicants, more selective than the 57% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 51% to 96%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 35,173 students.
On cost, Columbia charges $66,722 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,930 at Baruch College to $66,722 at Columbia. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY · Public
- Grad rate
- 81%
- Admit rate
- 60%
- In-state
- $7,170
- Out-of-state
- $21,692
FIT graduates 81% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on a 96.0 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 96.0, #3 of 18
- 81% graduation rate
- $7,170 in-state vs $21,692 out-of-state
- Admits just 60% of applicants
FIT is a public institution in New York, NY. Its Business program ranks #3 of the 18 analyzed here with a 96.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 88.8 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 4 points behind top-ranked NYU. The program graduates 81% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. FIT admits 60% of applicants, less selective than the 57% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Columbia, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 51% to 96%. The university enrolls 8,206 students overall.
On cost, FIT charges $7,170 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $21,692 out-of-state rate. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,930 at Baruch College to $66,722 at Columbia. The spread makes the program a clearer value for NY residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Fordham University
Bronx, NY · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 82%
- Admit rate
- 59%
- In-state
- $62,990
- Out-of-state
- $62,990
Fordham graduates 82% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on a 93.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 93.7, #4 of 18
- 82% graduation rate
- $62,990 tuition
- Admits just 59% of applicants
Fordham is a private, nonprofit institution in Bronx, NY. Its Business program ranks #4 of the 18 analyzed here with a 93.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 88.8 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 6.3 points behind top-ranked NYU. The program graduates 82% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Fordham admits 59% of applicants, less selective than the 57% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Columbia, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 51% to 96%. The university enrolls 16,150 students overall.
On cost, Fordham charges $62,990 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,930 at Baruch College to $66,722 at Columbia. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Yeshiva University
New York, NY · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 83%
- Admit rate
- 56%
- In-state
- $47,150
- Out-of-state
- $47,150
Yeshiva graduates 83% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on a 93.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 93.7, #5 of 18
- 83% graduation rate
- $47,150 tuition
- Admits just 56% of applicants
Yeshiva is a private, nonprofit institution in New York, NY. Its Business program ranks #5 of the 18 analyzed here with a 93.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 88.8 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 6.3 points behind top-ranked NYU. The program graduates 83% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Yeshiva admits 56% of applicants, more selective than the 57% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Columbia, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 51% to 96%. The university enrolls 6,965 students overall.
On cost, Yeshiva charges $47,150 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,930 at Baruch College to $66,722 at Columbia. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY · Public
- Grad rate
- 72%
- Admit rate
- 48%
- In-state
- $6,930
- Out-of-state
- $14,880
At $6,930 a year in-state, Baruch College is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 93.5 Hakia Score on a 72% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 93.5, #6 of 18
- 72% graduation rate
- $6,930 in-state vs $14,880 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Based in New York, NY, Baruch College is a public institution. Its Business program lands at #6 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 93.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 88.8 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 6.5 points behind top-ranked NYU. The program graduates 72% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Baruch College admits 48% of applicants, more selective than the 57% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Columbia, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 51% to 96%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 20,081 students.
On cost, Baruch College charges $6,930 a year in-state, roughly 2.1x the $14,880 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,930 at Baruch College to $66,722 at Columbia. The spread makes the program a clearer value for NY residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Touro University
New York, NY · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 72%
- Admit rate
- 61%
- In-state
- $19,472
- Out-of-state
- $19,472
Touro graduates 72% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on a 91.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 91.7, #7 of 18
- 72% graduation rate
- $19,472 tuition
- Admits just 61% of applicants
Touro is a private, nonprofit institution in New York, NY. Its Business program ranks #7 of the 18 analyzed here with a 91.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 88.8 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 72% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Touro admits 61% of applicants, less selective than the 57% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Columbia, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 51% to 96%. The university enrolls 11,937 students overall.
On cost, Touro charges $19,472 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,930 at Baruch College to $66,722 at Columbia. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
CUNY Graduate School and University Center
New York, NY · Public
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- 68%
- In-state
- $6,930
- Out-of-state
- $14,880
At $6,930 a year in-state, CUNY Graduate School and University Center is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 91.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 91.2, #8 of 18
- $6,930 in-state vs $14,880 out-of-state
- Admits just 68% of applicants
Based in New York, NY, CUNY Graduate School and University Center is a public institution. Its Business program lands at #8 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 91.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 88.8 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. CUNY Graduate School and University Center admits 68% of applicants, less selective than the 57% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Columbia, the most selective program on this list. The university enrolls 9,536 students overall.
On cost, CUNY Graduate School and University Center charges $6,930 a year in-state, roughly 2.1x the $14,880 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,930 at Baruch College to $66,722 at Columbia. The spread makes the program a clearer value for NY residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
The New School
New York, NY · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 63%
- In-state
- $57,374
- Out-of-state
- $57,374
New School graduates 69% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on an 86.4 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 86.4, #9 of 18
- 69% graduation rate
- $57,374 tuition
- Admits just 63% of applicants
Based in New York, NY, New School is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #9 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 86.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 88.8 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 69% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. New School admits 63% of applicants, less selective than the 57% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Columbia, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 51% to 96%. The university enrolls 9,068 students overall.
On cost, New School charges $57,374 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,930 at Baruch College to $66,722 at Columbia. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
CUNY Hunter College
New York, NY · Public
- Grad rate
- 57%
- Admit rate
- 54%
- In-state
- $6,930
- Out-of-state
- $14,880
At $6,930 a year in-state, CUNY Hunter College is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding an 86.3 Hakia Score on a 57% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 86.3, #10 of 18
- 57% graduation rate
- $6,930 in-state vs $14,880 out-of-state
- Admits just 54% of applicants
Based in New York, NY, CUNY Hunter College is a public institution. Its Business program lands at #10 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 86.3 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 88.8 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 57% of its students, below the 69% average across the ranked schools. CUNY Hunter College admits 54% of applicants, more selective than the 57% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Columbia, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 51% to 96%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 22,538 students.
On cost, CUNY Hunter College charges $6,930 a year in-state, roughly 2.1x the $14,880 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,930 at Baruch College to $66,722 at Columbia. The spread makes the program a clearer value for NY residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.
What Business Schools in NYC Cost
Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $6,930 to $66,722 a year. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College anchors the low end at $6,930 a year, while Columbia University in the City of New York sits at the top at $66,722. The cheapest public option among the business schools in NYC is CUNY Bernard M Baruch College at $6,930; the cheapest private is Monroe University at $16,344.
Over the four years the credential takes, that is roughly $27,720 in tuition at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College against about $266,888 at Columbia University in the City of New York. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to New York City from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
Which Business Major to Choose in NYC
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in NYC do not all offer the same ones. Across the 265 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in New York City are business administration (25 schools), accounting (19 schools), healthcare administration (18 schools), finance (13 schools), marketing (13 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: CPA eligibility in most states requires 150 credit hours against the 120 a bachelor's confers, which changes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 19 of the schools analyzed in New York City run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in NYC
8 of the 18 ranked business schools in NYC are public and 10 are private, and that split drives most of the $59,792 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College charges $6,930 in-state and $14,880 out of state, so where a student already lives changes this ranking more than any other single factor.
Private schools discount heavily off the published number, which is why sticker price alone is a poor comparison. Completion is the better lens: the 18 ranked schools average 69%, from 51% to 96%, and a cheap degree that does not finish is not a saving. Run each school's own net price calculator before ruling one out on tuition.
Why Study Business in New York City
Being on a campus among the business schools in NYC puts a student inside the employer network that school recruits into, close enough for an internship during term rather than only over the summer, and internships are what turn an undergraduate business degree into a first job.
All 18 ranked schools sit inside the city itself, so the choice between them turns on the borough and the commute rather than on the metro. 3 of the 18 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Business Schools in NYC: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best business school in New York City?
By Hakia Score, New York University ranks first among the 18 ranked business schools in NYC, with a 100 score and an 88% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in New York City?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in NYC, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in New York City?
Tuition among the ranked New York City schools runs from $6,930 to $66,722 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes New York City living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in NYC does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 265 accredited business programs across New York City and ranked the top 18 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. Every school here sits inside the five boroughs.
Is it worth studying business in New York City instead of online?
Only 3 of the 18 ranked schools are confirmed online, so in New York City the campus route is the one most of this list offers. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $6,930 in-state, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.
How the Business Schools in NYC Are Scored
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.