New York College Costs Take 72% of Median Income
Families in New York face one of the steepest college cost burdens relative to household income in the country.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Higher Education
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WalletHub ranked New York fourth highest among 48 states for average annual college cost relative to median household income. New York's average annual attendance cost is $61,528.99, or 71.57% of median household income.
Why it matters
For New York families, the ranking shows that the full yearly cost of college takes a large share of household income compared with most other states. The comparison was released as a ranking and measures relative cost, not a change in tuition or aid rules.
The average annual cost total includes in-state undergraduate tuition and fees, books and supplies, on-campus room and board, and other on-campus expenses. Rhode Island's college cost equals about 90.2% of its median household income, the highest share in the comparison.
The players
WalletHub
A personal finance website that publishes consumer cost comparisons and rankings across U.S. states.
The details
WalletHub measured relative college expense by dividing each state's average annual college attendance cost by its median household income. The total counts in-state undergraduate tuition and fees, books and supplies, on-campus room and board, and other on-campus expenses, so students who live off campus or attend out of state may see different totals. Because the ranking uses income as the denominator, a state can rank high even when its sticker price is not the highest in absolute dollars.
Timeline
WalletHub released the comparison on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Education Landscape
Relative college cost is one measure of how much a degree demands from a household, and comparing cost to income shows affordability in a way that tuition figures alone do not. The WalletHub report places New York among the states where families must commit the largest share of income to a single year of college.
If you are a New York family planning for college, the total yearly cost, including room, board, and supplies, can be a useful baseline when comparing schools and aid packages. Ask each school's financial-aid office for its full cost of attendance estimate before deciding.
The takeaway
The ranking is a reminder that the sticker price of college is only part of the picture, because the share of income it consumes varies widely by state. Compare each school's full cost of attendance with your household's finances, and raise any questions with that school's financial-aid office or another qualified adviser.
Further reading
For more on how tuition and fees compare across schools, explore the Higher Education section.
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