Reaffirming its quality and value, Brooklyn College was ranked no. 1 in the United States for offering students the best return on their investment in Forbes’ latest “Top 25 Colleges With the Highest Payoff” ranking. 

“We are proud that Forbes has recognized the extraordinary quality and value of a Brooklyn College education,” said President Michelle J. Anderson. “Being ranked first among colleges with the highest payoff affirms Brooklyn College is a transformative investment. This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty, the determination of our students, and the strength of our alumni network.” 

Forbes’ ranking includes a list of the 25 schools that give students the best bang for their buck—high earning potential without breaking the bank. To figure out which colleges offer the best return on investment, Forbes looked at two key factors: 

  • Price-to-earnings premium—a calculation by the think tank Third Way that shows how many years it takes graduates to earn back the net cost of their education (after grants and scholarships).
  • Debt-to-percent-borrowed index—a Forbes-created measure that looks at how many students take on debt and how much they graduate with.

Brooklyn College rose from being ranked seventh in 2024 to first in 2025 and joined seven other CUNY colleges that made this list. 

Forbes wrote in its ranking: “After graduation from the public university nestled in Kings County, Brooklyn College students make up the net cost of their education in just over half a year, according to Third Way data. CUNY Brooklyn College sends graduates out with high earnings potential and minimal debt. Only 7% take out federal loans to attend….If you’re a New York resident attending CUNY Brooklyn College, tuition will cost you less than $10,000 per year, before aid. If you’re an out-of-state student, it costs $15,000 per year. Alumni’s median income 20 years after graduation is an impressive $121,600, according to Payscale. Admittedly, New York City’s cost of living is high, but it’s also a city filled with plenty of job prospects and opportunities to network.”