You're standing on the corner of 25th and Lexington in Manhattan. Suits rush past. The smell of street cart coffee is everywhere. This isn't a sprawling grassy campus with ivy-covered walls; it's Baruch College.
Honestly, when people ask if Baruch is a good school, they’re usually asking two different things. Is it prestigious? And will it actually get me a job?
The short answer is yes. But the long answer is way more interesting because Baruch is sorta the ultimate "hustle" school. It's not Harvard, but for a lot of students, it’s actually better.
The ROI King of 2026
Let’s talk money. It’s the main reason people look at Baruch anyway. According to the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges list, Baruch ranked as the #1 college in the nation for value. That’s not a typo.
Most graduates here pay off their net price in about two months. Think about that. While some kids at private universities are saddled with debt for twenty years, Baruch students are basically "break-even" before they’ve even finished their first year on the job.
The tuition for in-state New York residents is roughly $6,930 per year. If you're coming from out of state, you're looking at about $14,880. In the world of higher education, that is practically a steal, especially when you consider that Forbes recently put Baruch in its "Top 25 Colleges with the Highest Payoff."
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Zicklin and the "Wall Street Pipeline"
If you want to do business, you’ve heard of the Zicklin School of Business. It’s the crown jewel of the college. For a long time, there was this myth that only Ivy League kids could get into top-tier investment banking or accounting firms. Baruch effectively killed that myth.
The Starr Career Development Center at Baruch is legendary. They don't just hand out pamphlets; they have deep, direct ties with the New York Jobs CEO Council. We're talking fireside chats with the Global Chair of PwC and recruiters from Goldman Sachs roaming the halls.
- Accounting: Consistently ranked in the top 15 worldwide for research.
- Finance: Its Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program is frequently ranked #1 in the world, beating out Princeton and MIT.
- MBA: LinkedIn recently ranked Zicklin’s MBA as the #9 public program in the entire country.
But here is the catch: it is incredibly competitive. You aren't just competing with the world; you're competing with 15,000 other driven New Yorkers who all want that same internship at JPMorgan. It’s a pressure cooker.
The Social Reality: Is There Even a Campus?
Okay, let's be real for a second. If you want the "classic" college experience—tailgating, big football games, Greek life dominating the social scene—you’re going to be miserable here.
Baruch is a commuter school.
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Most people show up for class and then immediately head to work or hop on the 6 train to go home. Only about 2% of students live in college-affiliated housing. This means the "vibe" can feel a bit transactional. You have to work twice as hard to make friends.
That said, the "Vertical Campus" (the NVC building) is a marvel. It’s basically a 17-story skyscraper with a gym, a food court, and a massive library. If you hang out in the Cliveden Plaza or join one of the 160+ clubs, you'll find your people. But nobody is going to hand-deliver a social life to you on a silver platter.
Who is it actually for?
Baruch is perfect for the "nontraditional" student.
Almost 37% of students are the first in their families to go to college. It’s a place where the American Dream is still very much alive and kicking. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks it #1 for Social Mobility. It’s designed to take someone from a low-income household and drop them into a mid-six-figure career within five years.
If you are self-motivated, it’s paradise. If you need a lot of hand-holding or a "luxury" campus experience, you'll probably hate the bureaucracy. The financial aid office and registrar can be... let's just say "traditionally CUNY." Expect lines. Expect paperwork.
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A Quick Look at the Numbers (2025-2026 Data)
| Metric | The Reality |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Around 50% (but higher for specific programs) |
| Average Starting Salary | Roughly $52,000 (Median 1-year post-grad) |
| Median 20-Year Salary | $136,700 (according to PayScale) |
| Student Debt | 85% of students graduate with zero federal debt |
| Campus Vibe | Fast-paced, professional, urban |
The "Good School" Verdict
So, is Baruch College a good school?
If you want a high-quality education in business, public affairs, or the arts (via the Weissman School) without bankrupting your future self, it’s one of the best choices in the world. It’s a professional launchpad located in the heart of the world's financial capital.
But don't go there expecting a movie-style college experience. Go there if you're ready to work. Go there if you want to network. Go there if you want to graduate and actually have money in your bank account.
How to decide if you should apply
- Check your major: If it’s Finance, Accounting, or Marketing, Zicklin is a no-brainer. If you’re looking for a niche liberal arts degree, Weissman is great, but ensure you’re okay with the business-heavy atmosphere of the campus.
- Visit the plaza: Go stand on 25th Street between Lex and 3rd during a Tuesday at 12:30 PM. That’s "Club Hours." If the energy feels exciting rather than exhausting, you’ll fit right in.
- Run the FAFSA: Because Baruch is part of the CUNY system, many students find that between Pell Grants and TAP, their tuition is almost entirely covered.
- Prepare for the grind: Start polishing your resume now. Baruch students start internship hunting freshman year. If you wait until senior year, you’re already behind.
The real "secret" to Baruch isn't the rankings or the low cost. It’s the fact that everyone there is trying to get somewhere. That energy is infectious. It’s a school for people who aren't afraid of a little New York City grit.
To get started, look into the Baruch Honors programs like Macaulay or Baruch Scholars. These programs offer even more perks, like early registration and dedicated advisors, which can help you navigate the large student body much more effectively.