10 Best Online Colleges in New York 2025

Online college programs are a great option for students who aren't able to learn on campus. The best online degree programs give students a high-quality education in a flexible format.

Some of the top online colleges are located in New York State. Keep reading to discover the best online colleges in New York.

Best Accredited Online Colleges in New York

More than 60 institutions in New York State offer online college programs. We've highlighted the best online colleges in New York below.

1. City University of New York School of Professional Studies

Online bachelor's and master's degrees are available through the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies. Areas of study for online learning include business, healthcare, information technology, and sociology.

As a member of the public CUNY system, SPS is based in Manhattan but provides students the opportunity to complete their programs anywhere in the country or the world. It was the first CUNY school to offer online programs. Tuition is only $305 per credit hour for in-state students and 58% receive financial aid.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $7,410

Out-of-State: $15,360

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $9,930

Out-of-State: $23,160

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 39%

Retention Rate: N/A

Institution Type: Public

Accreditation: MSCHE

2. Empire State University

Empire State University is a member of the public State University of New York (SUNY) system in Saratoga Springs, NY. It offers many online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fields like business administration, criminal justice, public health, and technology.

The university is specifically geared toward helping adult and non-traditional students. In-state tuition is just $295 per credit hour, and 94% of students receive some type of financial aid.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $7,630

Out-of-State: $17,540

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $11,310

Out-of-State: $23,790

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Retention Rate: 46%

Institution Type: Public

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

3. Excelsior University

At Excelsior University, students can earn undergraduate or graduate degrees online in numerous areas of study. These include healthcare, information security, liberal studies, and technology.

Excelsior University, based in Albany, NY, is an online college geared toward working adults. About 25% of students receive scholarships or grants.

Tuition Costs

This institution does not admit full-time first-time undergraduate-level students, therefore price information was not reported to the NCES. However, we found per-credit tuition rate information on the college website.

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $510 per credit hour

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $715 per credit for most programs

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Retention Rate: 67%

Institution Type: Nonprofit private online

Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Lehman College

Lehman College offers primarily bachelor's degrees, as well as a few master's and doctoral programs, online. The school is part of the public CUNY system and is based in the Bronx.

Distance learning programs at this CUNY school are in fields like business administration, education, humanities, and organizational leadership. Roughly 93% of students receive financial aid to help them pay for their academic programs.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $7,410

Out-of-State: $15,360

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $11,090

Out-of-State: $20,520

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 55%

Retention Rate: 74%

Institution Type: Public

Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Mercy University

Online associate, bachelor's, and master's programs are available at Mercy University. Areas of study include behavioral science, cybersecurity, education, and liberal studies.

Mercy University, a private research institution, is based in Dobbs Ferry, NY. While it has some of the highest tuition rates on this list, 99% of students receive financial aid.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $22,106

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $18,090

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 85%

Retention Rate: 75%

Institution Type: Nonprofit private research institution

Accreditation: MSCHE

6. St. Joseph's University

St. Joseph's University is a Catholic institution in Brooklyn, NY. The highly-ranked school offers bachelor's and master's degrees in fields like criminal justice, healthcare, human services, and psychology.

The university is committed to providing a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Around 99% of students receive financial aid to help pay for their online courses.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $34,535

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $22,860

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 71%

Retention Rate: 79%

Institution Type: Nonprofit private Catholic

Accreditation: MSCHE

7. State University of New York College of Technology at Canton

Students at SUNY Canton can earn associate and bachelor's degrees online in fields like business administration, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and healthcare management.

Several of SUNY Canton's online programs are nationally ranked for their commitment to online excellence. In-state tuition is only $295 per credit hour, and 93% of students receive financial aid.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $8,689

Out-of-State: $13,519

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 96%

Retention Rate: 67%

Institution Type: Public

Accreditation: MSCHE

8. State University of New York at Oswego

SUNY Oswego offers flexible, affordable, and convenient programs online at the bachelor's and master's levels. Areas of study include business administration, communication, criminal justice, and healthcare.

Online courses through SUNY Oswego have the same objectives, rigorous workload, tuition rates, and academic credit as classroom-based courses. The tuition rate is the same as other SUNY schools, and 94% of students here are awarded financial aid.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $8,769

Out-of-State: $18,679

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $11,310

Out-of-State: $23,790

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 80%

Retention Rate: 70%

Institution Type: Public

Accreditation: MSCHE

9. Syracuse University

Online programs range from associate degrees to doctoral degrees at Syracuse University. The prestigious institution is one of the best-known private schools in the state.

Online education programs are available in fields like computer science, healthcare administration, liberal studies, and project management. Tuition for undergraduate online programs is $750 per credit and 84% of students receive financial aid.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State and Out-of State: $63,061

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State and Out-of-State: $44,928

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 42%

Retention Rate: 91%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: MSCHE

10. Utica University

Utica University offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online. Areas of study include business administration, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and healthcare.

The university offers many of the advantages of a large university, such as undergraduate and graduate degree options, excellent academic programs, and outstanding faculty, but with an intimacy and a high degree of personal attention more closely associated with smaller private institutions. Online tuition is $420 per credit hour and 98% of students receive financial aid.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State and Out-of-State: $24,308

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State and Out-of-State: $24,480

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 87%

Retention Rate: 73%

Institution Type: Nonprofit private

Accreditation: MSCHE

Other Featured Online Colleges

While New York is home to many reputable online schools, others across the country can also provide a quality education. Online students can enroll in some of the best online colleges in other states, including the following.

National University

Through National University, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online in various fields. Areas of study include business administration, education, information technology, and psychology.

Since it is based in San Diego, the private university is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Most undergraduate programs have a tuition rate of $370 per credit hour.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers hundreds of online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fields like business, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and humanities. SNHU is a private university located in Manchester, NH, that's well-known for its online programs.

The school is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). It charges $330 per credit hour to online undergraduate students and accepts up to 90 transfer credits.

University of Massachusetts Global

A number of online undergraduate and graduate degrees are available through the University of Massachusetts Global in fields like business administration, criminal justice, information technology, and psychology. Many are offered in the university's self-paced MyPath format.

UMass Global is a private affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts system. However, it's headquartered in Aliso Viejo, CA, and therefore accredited by the WSCUC. Tuition for undergraduate programs is $500 per credit.

How We Rank Schools

To choose the programs above, we used the NCES College Navigator and U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard to find information on schools that fit the following parameters:

• Location: All schools from the list above are based in New York.
• Accreditation: All schools hold regional accreditation through the MSCHE.
• Type: We focused specifically on four-year public and nonprofit private schools.
• Online Programs: We selected schools with a large number of online options and student services for online students.

Pros and Cons of Online Degrees in New York

There are benefits and downsides to earning an online degree. How much these benefits and downsides impact you will depend on your personality and learning style.

Pros of earning an online degree:

• Complete coursework on your own time
• No need to commute to classes on campus
• Flexibility to work or take care of family while enrolled

Cons of earning an online degree:

• Can be harder to stick to deadlines if you aren't motivated
• Harder to make personal connections when everything is virtual
• Group projects and labs may be harder to do online

How To Choose an Online School in New York

You'll want to consider a few things when you're choosing an online school. Whatever school you choose needs to be accredited, preferably regionally accredited. Additionally, you should choose a school that offers the major you want to pursue online. Other things to consider include:

• Admissions requirements (e.g., GPA and test scores)
• Pace of schedule (full-time, part-time, or accelerated programs)
• Tuition costs (which can vary significantly)
• Financial aid options (e.g., grants, scholarships, and loans)
• College reputation (including graduation rate and reviews from current and former students)
• Resources for online students (i.e., career counseling, mental health services, and tutoring)
• Transfer credit friendliness (if you have previous college experience)

How Much Does an Online Degree Cost in New York?

Online colleges in New York range from $295 per credit hour at SUNY colleges to upwards of $900 per credit hour at some private schools. However, the total cost you pay will depend on several factors, including the financial aid you qualify for.

Tips on How To Make Online College More Affordable in New York

When looking at making college more affordable, there are two primary factors to consider: the cost of tuition and the financial aid you receive.

There are many affordable online colleges in New York, especially for in-state students. Additionally, financial aid programs, like the Excelsior Scholarship, can significantly reduce your costs. Below, we've provided some sources to help you find affordable colleges.

• online colleges that accept financial aid
• online colleges with payment plans
• online college scholarships
• online colleges that accept federal grants
• online colleges that accept transfer credits
• online colleges with free applications

New York Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships and grants are types of financial aid that you don't need to repay. We've highlighted some top opportunities for New York students below.

Excelsior Scholarship Program

The Excelsior Scholarship Program is a program that covers tuition costs for students from families earning $125,000 or less. Students must be attending an undergraduate program at a CUNY or SUNY school.

Award Amount: Up to full tuition costs for qualifying students.

Deadline: February 3, 2025, for the spring academic term.

NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program

This scholarship program is given to students who graduate in the top 10% of their NYS high school class and pursue a degree in STEM at SUNY or CUNY.

Award Amount: Full tuition costs.

Deadline: August 15, 2025

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

TAP offers grants to students who are New York State residents attending a college or university in the state. The award amount is based on several factors, including your family income.

Award Amount: $1,000 to $5,665

Deadline: June 30 each year

Top Majors for New York Graduates

According to the NCES, the most popular fields of study for students in New York State are:

• Humanities: Humanities is a field that covers subjects like art, English and literature, language, and philosophy. Possible career paths include designer, journalist, or teacher.
• Business: Business is one of the most common fields of study across the U.S. Career paths may include accountant, project manager, marketing director, or sales manager.
• Healthcare: Healthcare can include doctors and nurses, but may also include healthcare administrators, dentists, and pharmacists.
• Social Sciences and History: This category can include areas of study like anthropology, sociology, and political science. Graduates may go on to work in academia, research, social welfare, and more.
• Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Those studying natural sciences and mathematics may go on to work as mathematicians, scientists, and consultants, among other career paths.

FAQs About Accredited Online Colleges in New York

Choosing the right online college can be hard. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about accredited online colleges in New York.

How Quickly Can I Earn My Degree Online in New York?

Most bachelor's degrees take four years of full-time study. However, you can find accelerated online degrees in New York that allow you to finish faster.

Which New York Universities Have the Best Online Graduate Programs?

Different colleges offer various types of online graduate programs. However, some schools that consistently rank highly for their graduate programs include the University at Buffalo, Syracuse University, and the CUNY School of Professional Studies.

What Are the Best Universities That Offer Online Bachelor Degrees in New York?

You can find our full list of the best universities that offer online bachelor's degrees in New York above.

Does NYU Offer Online Classes?

Yes, NYU does offer online classes for some programs.

Does SUNY Offer Online Degrees?

Yes, many SUNY schools offer online degrees. Degree options vary by college.

Are There Free Online Colleges in NYC?

While no college in New York City offers free tuition from the start, financial aid programs, like the Excelsior Scholarship, can eliminate your tuition costs.

Discover Online Degree Programs in New York

Find the perfect New York online college today by exploring the online college programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admission, enrollment, and financial aid.