Use our summary of outside opinions and develop your own college search criteria to choose a college that is right for you. Remember, some of the best aspects of a college experience are measured by fit and feel, not by numbers and rankings. We’ve gathered past and present perspectives to highlight the uniqueness of SUNY campuses and their surrounding communities.
Here are a few that caught our eye.
For more details about SUNY campus ratings and rankings, visit individual campus websites.
#10 Canton, #14 Alfred State
This annual list showcases 500 American colleges and universities that produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt. These SUNY campuses were named America’s Top Colleges for offering the best educational, financial, and career outcomes for all students.
Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, ESF, Farmingdale, Fashion Institute of Technology, Geneseo, Maritime, New Paltz, Purchase, Stony Brook, SUNY Poly
Top 25 Public Colleges, 2026:
#19 Binghamton
#20 Stony Brook
Several SUNY campuses received Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) awards for advancing best practices in higher education.
Albany, Binghamton, Brockport, Farmingdale, Old Westbury, Oneonta, Rockland, Stony Brook
Ratings are assessed through evaluation of both public data about the institution, as well as data gathered through the Military Friendly® Schools survey. Survey responses are weighted according to academic policies and compliance, military student support and retention, graduation and career outcomes, admissions and orientation, culture and commitment, and financial aid and loan repayment. Two- and four-year SUNY campuses made the list this year.
Alfred State, Buffalo, Buffalo State, Canton, Cayuga, Finger Lakes, Fredonia, Hudson Valley, Jamestown, Jefferson, Maritime, Morrisville, New Paltz, Old Westbury, Onondaga, Orange, Oswego, Rockland, Stony Brook, Suffolk, Ulster
Military Friendly Spouse Schools
2024-26
Alfred State, Buffalo, Canton, Cayuga, Cobleskill, Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley, Jamestown, Jefferson, New Paltz, Old Westbury, Onondaga, Orange, Suffolk, Ulster
Buffalo, Buffalo State, Canton, Cobleskill, Delhi, Empire State, Jefferson, Maritime, Onondaga, Oswego, Rockland, Suffolk, SUNY Poly
The country's top colleges are evaluated on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries, and more. SUNY campuses appear in the following categories: 4+ Star Rating/Best Colleges in the Northeast/Best Online Colleges/Best Public Colleges.
Binghamton, Brockport, Delhi, Geneseo, ESF, Maritime, Old Westbury, Oneonta, SUNY Poly, Stony Brook
Based on a comprehensive database, rankings come from the alumni salary data of 3.1 million respondents, representing more than 2,400 colleges and universities across the U.S. This data aids prospective students in researching schools, majors, and careers, as well as discovering fields of study offering the most income potential.
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Maritime - #21 nationwide and #3 New York State
Associate Degree Programs
FIT - #7 New York State
SUNY campuses regularly appear annually among top colleges and universities as evidenced by placement in numerous categories throughout the years. A sampling of these includes Best 386 Colleges/Best Colleges Overall/Best Northeast Colleges/Best Green Colleges/Colleges That Pay You Back/LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges/Most Engaged in Community Service/Top 75 Best Value Public Colleges/Top Green Colleges
Campuses: Albany, Alfred State, Alfred University, Binghamton, Brockport, Buffalo, Cortland, ESF, Farmingdale, Fredonia, Geneseo, Maritime, New Paltz, Oneonta, Oswego, Potsdam, Purchase, Stony Brook
Best Value Colleges (Public), 2025:
Binghamton (#15); Stony Brook (#25)
Top 50 Undergrad Schools for Entrepreneurship, 2025
University at Buffalo (#41)
Top 20 Best Career Placement (Public), 2025
Binghamton (#20)
Best College Theatre, 2027:
Purchase
Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation, 2027:
ESF (#2)
LGBTQ-Friendly, 2027:
ESF (#8)
TIME’s ranking is based entirely on return on investment. Working with the data firm Statista, TIME researchers evaluated 500 schools nationwide based on three key factors: student outcomes, the learning environment, and how well each school appeals to the students who attend it. These SUNY campuses landed in the top 500:
Cornell (#13), Fashion Institute of Technology (#51), Binghamton (#58), Maritime (#78)
Syracuse, New York – home to ESF and Onondaga Community College
SUNY campuses are annually recognized in numerous categories, such as A+ Schools for B+ Students/America's Best Colleges/Best Buy Colleges/Best Colleges for Veterans/Best National Colleges and Universities/Best Liberal Arts Colleges/Best Regional Colleges and Universities (North)/Best Value Schools/Great Schools, Great Prices/Top Public Schools (National and Regional)/Undergraduate Research/Top Performers in Social Mobility
Campuses: Albany, Alfred State, Binghamton, Brockport, Buffalo, Buffalo State, Canton, Cobleskill, Cornell, Cortland, Delhi, Downstate Health Sciences University, Empire State, ESF, Farmingdale State, Fashion Institute of Technology, Fredonia, Geneseo, Maritime, Morrisville, New Paltz, Old Westbury, Oneonta, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Potsdam, Purchase, Stony Brook, SUNY Poly
Best Public University in the Nation, 2027:
Stony Brook (#24), Binghamton (#32)
Best Undergraduate Teaching/Regional Colleges North, 2025:
Geneseo (#1)
Best Online Bachelor's Degree Programs, 2025:
University at Buffalo (#1)
Campus Ethnic Diversity, 2025:
University at Albany
Top Public Liberal Arts Colleges, 2027:
Geneseo (#5), Purchase (#9), Old Westbury (#18)
#1 Fashion Institute of Technology
Rather than focusing on colleges’ wealth or reputation, these rankings expand the importance of student outcomes: graduation rates and graduate salaries. They emphasize measuring the value added by colleges, focusing on the contribution the college makes to that success. Six SUNY campuses ranked among the top 500 universities in the U.S.
Albany, Binghamton, Geneseo, Oswego, Stony Brook, University at Buffalo
The annual rankings of American colleges and universities are focused on contribution to the public good in four broad categories: access, affordability, outcomes, and promoting public service. SUNY campuses were recognized as Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars-Northeast, Best Colleges for Rural America, America’s Best Hispanic-Serving Colleges, and Best Colleges for Research.
Albany, Binghamton, Brockport, Buffalo, Buffalo State, Canton, Cobleskill, Cortland, Delhi, Empire State, ESF, Fredonia, Geneseo, Maritime, New Paltz, Old Westbury, Oneonta, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Potsdam, Purchase, Stony Brook, SUNY Poly
Best Colleges for Rural America:
Potsdam (#9)
Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars:
Geneseo (Top 5%)
America's Best Hispanic Serving Institutions:
Old Westbury (Top 100)