Top 10 Masters Programs in Queens, NY (2026)

Queens offers a robust selection of graduate schools catering to diverse interests and career aspirations. This guide profiles the leading masters programs in Queens for 2024 based on academic excellence, value, reputation, and program depth.

Overview of Top Queens Graduate Schools

The table below presents key stats on the top 10 masters programs in Queens for 2024:

School	Acceptance Rate	Program Offerings	Total Enrollment	Annual Tuition
New York University (NYU)	30%	230+	Over 52k	$47k
CUNY School of Public Health	Competitive	17	3.5k	$8.7k (in-state)
St. John‘s University	58%	100+	21k	$31k
Hofstra University	63%	170+	11k	$32k
Queens College	48%	140+	20k	$6.9k (in-state)
Touro College	Rolling	50+	13k	$14.5k
York College	28%	50+	8k	$7k (in-state)
Queensborough Community College	Open	15	13k	$4.8k (in-state)
CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies	Competitive	4	400	$8.7k (in-state)
Pratt Institute	51%	45+	5k	$52k

The leading schools offer excellent graduate degrees spanning healthcare, business, education, social sciences, STEM and more – along with strong job prospects post-graduation. Read on for detailed profiles of each Queens graduate program.

1. New York University

With an acceptance rate of 30%, New York University (NYU) is one of the most selective schools in Queens offering over 230 masters programs. Degree options include popular choices like business, computer science, education, data science, psychology and journalism.

NYU dominates rankings as the #1 masters school in Queens thanks to its high admissions standards, renowned faculty, comprehensive degree selection and location in vibrant Manhattan. Graduates enjoy strong career outcomes – with average early salaries of $60k+.

Annual tuition comes out to $47k on average, making NYU a significant investment. However applicants rave about the engaging campus culture and access to NYC internships/jobs. NYU also provides extensive student services like career coaching and academic advising.

"Pursuing my masters in economics at NYU has opened countless doors professionally thanks to the school‘s vast alumni network and career resources." – David S., NYU Graduate Business Student

Learn more about applying to New York University masters programs

2. CUNY School of Public Health

For an affordable healthcare-focused degree in Queens, the CUNY School of Public Health is a top contender with in-state tuition of just $8.7k per year. The school offers 17 public health masters specializations from epidemiology to health policy and community health education.

All programs emphasize hands-on learning and feature a required internship or fieldwork project. The curriculum aligns with key public health competencies while preparing students to make an impact combating systemic health inequities.

CUNY School of Public Health students particularly praise the practicing health professionals who teach courses as well as plentiful collaborations with NYC health organizations like hospitals, clinics and non-profits. Graduates enjoy strong job placement with average starting salaries of $52k.

Learn more about masters public health programs at the CUNY School of Public Health

3. St. John‘s University

St. John‘s University represents one of the larger private universities in Queens with total graduate enrollment exceeding 5,500 students. Across its two Queens campuses, St. John‘s offers over 100 masters programs with popular picks including business, education and clinical mental health counseling.

Graduate students at St. John‘s praise the small class sizes, flexible program formats and accessible professors. Required internship credits ensure graduates gain relevant work experience. St. John‘s also shines when it comes to value – with tuition substantially lower than other large private universities in the state.

Learn more about masters programs offered at St. John‘s University campuses across NYC

4. Hofstra University

Hofstra University confers over 100 graduate degrees across its two campuses in Hempstead and Manhattan. Hofstra graduate schools with the highest enrollment include education, literature, business, healthcare and public policy/law.

The school strives to balance academic rigor with plenty of experiential learning through field work, student research and internships. Graduates enter fields ranging from creative writing, physical therapy and school leadership to cybersecurity policy and more.

Hofstra‘s suburban campus provides a close-knit community removed from the hustle of NYC. Qualified students may receive graduate assistantships – including full tuition coverage and stipends for supporting faculty research or teaching undergrad courses.

Search Hofstra‘s full offering of diverse graduate degree programs

5. Queens College

Queens College offers exceptional value as part of the City University of New York system. In-state students pay affordable yearly tuition of $6.9k for the master‘s programs – making Queens College a budget-friendly option compared to private universities.

Masters offerings at Queens College include theater, music education, accounting, linguistics, earth and environmental science and other liberal arts fields. Classes take place on Queens College‘s picturesque campus, just 30 minutes from Manhattan.

The school attracts many working professionals and career changers thanks to flexible course schedules – including evening, weekend and online classes. Small seminars ensure students receive close mentoring from distinguished Queens College faculty.

Discover the full range of affordable graduate degree programs available at Queens College

6. Touro College

With four campus locations across Queens, Touro College grants easy access to over 50 graduate degrees – predominantly focused on healthcare/health sciences, education and business. Fields of study include speech pathology, occupational therapy, nursing, school leadership and more.

Touro maintains small class cohorts, allowing for personalized attention from faculty. The school actively accommodates working professionals through online, evening and weekend course options. Graduates praise Touro‘s practice-oriented teaching and affordable private school tuition rates.

Find the right fit from Touro College‘s diverse graduate school offerings

7. York College

York College offers an affordable masters education through CUNY with yearly tuition of $7k for in-state students. Graduate students can pursue degrees in fields like accounting, biology, business management, pharmaceutical science and physician assistant studies.

The strength of York College masters programs lies in their alignment with high-demand careers in healthcare and business. Faculty maintain strong industry connections that create abundant experiential learning and job/internship opportunities for students.

The York College campus in Jamaica, Queens provides an inclusive environment supportive of its highly diverse graduate student body. Programs accommodate working schedules through flexible evening/weekend courses.

Browse York College‘s industry-aligned graduate school academic offerings

8. Queensborough Community College

Queensborough Community College (QCC) offers niche graduate degrees not found at many other schools. Affordable programs include theatre, cybersecurity and the interdisciplinary field of math and science education.

Classes take place on QCC‘s Bayside campus, which provides a friendly college town atmosphere. As a community college, Queensborough masters programs focus on career preparation and feature small class sizes. Graduates praise the interactive teaching methods and research opportunities.

QCC provides an accessible pathway for completing a graduate degree – especially for students already working within their desired field. Yearly in-state tuition comes out to only $4,775.

Check out Queensborough‘s unique, affordable selection of masters degrees

9. CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU), established in 2018, offers niche graduate programs focused on workplace rights, economic justice and urban issues. The school confers masters degrees in labor studies, urban sustainability and worker education – along with several advanced certificates.

Courses explore topics like workplace discrimination, wage policy, environmental stewardship, affordable housing and grassroots activism. With tuition set at the standard CUNY graduate rate, yearly cost for in-state students amounts to $8.7k.

SLU graduates gain interdisciplinary perspectives preparing them to tackle complex socioeconomic problems. Degree-holders work in roles like community organizers, union leaders, policy analysts, sustainability directors and workplace educators across NYC.

Learn how SLU masters programs equip students to drive urban change

10. Pratt Institute

The Pratt Institute confers over 45 unique masters degrees across creative fields like art and design, information studies, architecture and critical & visual studies. Pratt emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration with courses that fuse creativity and technology.

Graduate students have access to the Institute‘s extensive design studios/labs, 3D printing facilities, wood and metal shops, and more. They additionally benefit from Pratt‘s robust connections with esteemed museums, cultural institutions and companies across NYC.

However, Pratt Institute also has the highest graduate tuition on this list – coming out to over $52k per year including fees. Applicants are encouraged to pursue Pratt‘s competitive merit-based scholarships and assistantships.

Search Pratt‘s specialized selection of graduate programs in art and design

Key Factors in Choosing a Queens Graduate Program

When researching masters programs in Queens, be sure to weigh factors like:

• Field of study – Ensure your desired concentration and specialization is offered
• Tuition fees – Consider affordability given scholarships/loans available
• Admissions competitiveness – Target matches based on test scores/GPA/experience
• Program format – Evaluate if delivery modes fit your schedule and learning preferences
• Location – Assess convenience of campus and access to NYC opportunities
• Reputation and outcomes – Prioritize colleges producing successful, skilled graduates

Mapping programs to your budget, goals and interests takes time. Students are encouraged to connect with current students and schedule campus visits. Leveraging professional advice from college advisors can also help identify your best-fit grad school option.

With its exceptional higher education institutes, Queens offers something for every type of masters student – whether seeking an esteemed research university or affordable community college. By selecting an academic program strategically aligned to your aspirations, you’re primed for securing enriching opportunities during and after earning your Queens graduate degree.