Brooklyn College Ranked #1 in Nation for Affordable Quality Education
March 17, 2021
View of the Brooklyn College Library
Brooklyn College is the most affordable college in the nation, according to Intelligent.com, which included one of CUNY’s leading senior colleges in top rankings for eight degree programs.
This latest affordability ranking is supported by another recent poll in Forbes that included Brooklyn College as one of the nation’s colleges that offer “the biggest bang for the buck.”
Intelligent.com, which provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs, examined what institutions charge for tuition, fees, and room and board at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. For public universities, it also considered in-state versus out-of-state tuition to find the institutions that offer the best overall value to students.
To ensure the rankings cited colleges and universities that are not only affordable, but also provide a quality education, Intelligent.com only included institutions that are regionally accredited. This type of accreditation confirms that schools meet certain quality standards. It also means students are eligible for more financial aid and can transfer credits more easily.
The complete 2021 rankings were calculated using a unique scoring system that includes student engagement, potential return on investment, and leading third-party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed thousands of schools with comparable programs on a scale of 0 to 100. The methodology uses an algorithm that collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to compare, more easily, each university’s degree program.
The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 2,277 accredited colleges and universities across the United States. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and postgraduate employment.
More Brooklyn College Rankings by Intelligent.com
Master's in Film Degree Programs (No. 23)—Students are trained to become the next generation of diverse storytellers in the state-of-the-art facility at Steiner Studios, making the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema the only film program operating on a working lot. The program’s cost is also less than those of competitors in the New York region and offers students the opportunity to work with accomplished film industry leaders, including Executive Director Richard Gladstein. Gladstein, a two-time Academy Award–nominated film producer, regularly brings Hollywood to Brooklyn through events and lectures. The school was also ranked as having the “Best Specialized Options.” This is reflected in Feirstein’s diverse M.F.A. program in Cinema Arts that has eight tracks of study, including Cinematography, Digital Animation & Visual Effects, Directing, Post-production, Producing, Screenwriting, as well as specialized options for students interested in sound and music composition with Media Scoring and Sonic Arts. Feirstein offers one M.A. in Screen Studies offering a comprehensive education in cinema history, theory, criticism, and aesthetics; and encourages the scholarly exploration of cinema as a form of art and a social communication.
Undergraduate Film Degree Program (No. 30)—Students can choose from several concentrations—film studies, film production, screenwriting, documentary production, and industry studies. The faculty—working directors, screenwriters, producers, editors, cinematographers, and scholars—provide both a liberal arts grounding in the history, theory, and practice of filmmaking, and invaluable insights into the day-to-day practicalities of working in the industry. Strong demand for reality shows, U.S.-based shows for foreign audiences, and video content for streaming platforms are helping film jobs grow at a much faster pace, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The film degree program was also found to be the “Most Affordable.”
Sports Medicine Degree Programs (No. 32)—The job outlook for exercise physiologists is higher than the national average. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as more health-care professionals emphasize exercise and preventive care for patients, the demand for exercise physiologists is expected to grow by 11 percent. The program was also found to have the “Best Fitness Professional Track.”
Colleges in New York (No. 36)—The college was assessed alongside 201 colleges and universities and 214 programs. Located on one of the most beautiful campuses in New York City, students learn in one of the most exciting boroughs. Brooklyn College was also found to have the “Best Faculty.”
Master's in K-12 Education Degree Programs (No. 36)—Brooklyn College’s School of Education illuminates all the finely nuanced principles and the underlying practices that are so necessary for success in the education field. The college was also found to have the “Best Science Education Focus.” The master’s in adolescence science education is unique in its underlying philosophy that teachers need emotional awareness and support to be able to function optimally in schools. The focus of the program is on tools to help teacher candidates communicate effectively with students and create a supportive classroom environment.
Master's in Sports Management Degree Programs (No. 43)—Graduates gain skills and knowledge for professional careers in the multibillion-dollar sports business from industry leaders. The flexible curriculum allows students to pursue several areas, including management, marketing, finance, media, promotions, public relations, communications, sports information, retail and manufacturing, coaching, school/university-based programs, and legal/risk management. The program was also found to be “Best for Transfer Students.”
Master's in Music Degree Programs (No. 47)—The program offers a wide variety of instruction, disciplines, and resources that give music students an experience like few others. The Conservatory of Music offers one of the country’s top performance educations, with outstanding orchestra, ensemble, and voice programs. Students have access to a state-of-the-art performance space in the Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, graduate students in sonic arts and media scoring at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema work alongside some of the country’s top composers and filmmakers.
Colleges and Universities (No. 86)—Brooklyn College was assessed along with thousands of other colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 17,000 students enrolled in 175 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the humanities, behavioral and natural sciences, education, business, and the arts, the college is renowned for its rigorous academics, diverse student body, award-winning faculty, and highly affordable tuition. Brooklyn College was also found to have the “Best Urban Campus.”
