Shocking List: 14 New York Colleges Ranked Among the Worst in the U.S. for ROI
Investing in a college education is a big decision, and it’s not getting any easier, especially with the rising costs. Recently, 14 colleges in New York State have been identified as some of the worst in the entire country, with three of these institutions being in Central New York.
The cost of college has increased dramatically over the past few decades. According to Bankrate, tuition fees have surged by 153 percent in the last 40 years. If you think that’s a lot, it might surprise you that the real sticker shock began in the early 2000s.
For instance, in 2006, Sarah Lawrence College charged $36,088 per year. Fast forward to the 2024-2025 academic year, and tuition has skyrocketed to $91,685 per year—a staggering 154.06% increase.
Why such an increase? A report from Champlain College suggests that rising tuition fees are linked to the additional amenities and programs that colleges now offer. However, this doesn’t make the cost any more manageable for many students and their families.
The Herald Weekly recently released a report examining whether these expensive colleges offer a good return on investment. They compared tuition costs with graduation rates and the average income of graduates to determine which schools provided the least value for the high price tag.
The results were telling, with several well-known New York universities landing on the list of least favorable investments. Herald Weekly’s ranking aims to help prospective students make informed choices about where to invest their money and to improve their chances of a successful career after graduation.
In recent years, some prestigious colleges have gained a reputation for offering poor returns on investment despite their high tuition fees and low graduation rates. This is a critical consideration for students and families when evaluating which college might be the best fit.