Top 10 Cheapest Colleges in New York

Updated on 10/22/2025

New York has a reputation for being an expensive place to live. And while it is home to some pretty expensive colleges and universities, it's also home to some very affordable options as well.

Additionally, the state offers several programs designed to help residents cover their college expenses. Keep reading to discover affordable colleges and universities with online programs in New York.

How Much Will a College Degree Cost in New York?

The cost of a college degree in New York depends on several factors, starting with the school you choose. The schools within the state's two public university systems - the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) - are highly affordable colleges. On the other hand, some private schools, like Syracuse University and New York University (NYU), charge over $60,000 per year.

Where you live also affects your cost; New York residents pay less at public schools than residents of other states. Other factors that impact costs include the level of degree you're pursuing, the amount of credits you need, and the financial aid you qualify for.

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. This determines your eligibility not only for federal aid programs, but also for programs like New York's Excelsior Scholarship. This scholarship covers all tuition costs for eligible in-state students.

Top Cheap Colleges in New York

Four-year SUNY schools all charge the same tuition rates for in-state students, and four-year CUNY schools all charge the same rate throughout their system as well. These schools are the cheapest in the state, and students at these schools can use the Excelsior Scholarship.

Below, we've highlighted some of the SUNY and CUNY schools with the most flexible program options. We also included a few of the state's lowest-cost private institutions.

1. SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is a public technology college in Canton, NY. It offers associate and bachelor's degrees in person and online in fields like:

• business
• computer science
• healthcare
• public services

SUNY Canton offers low tuition and accepts the Excelsior Scholarship. It also offers institutional scholarships and grants, with an average of 82% of students receiving these funds each year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $295 per credit (in-state); $353 per credit (out-of-state online); $496 to $729 per credit (out-of-state on campus)
• Financial aid: SUNY Canton accepts aid through FAFSA, offers institutional aid, accepts state aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Empire State University

Empire State University (SUNY Empire) offers online associate through doctoral degrees in areas of study including business, education, healthcare, and social sciences. It charges the same rate as other SUNY schools and offers various scholarship opportunities.

SUNY Empire, the state's only public online school, is based in Saratoga Springs, NY. It's also the SUNY system's largest-serving four-year institution and a designated Autism Supportive University.

• Estimated tuition cost: $295 per credit (in-state); $353 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: SUNY Empire offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA, New York State, and private sources.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

3. University at Albany

The University at Albany (UAlbany) offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in-person and online. UAlbany is a public research university in the SUNY system.

Students can earn degrees in fields like business, communication, computer science, and social sciences. In-state and online students pay the same rate here as at other SUNY schools, but on-campus out-of-state students pay a much higher rate.

• Estimated tuition cost: $295 per credit (in-state); $353 per credit (out-of-state online); $1,178 per credit (out-of-state on campus)
• Financial aid: UAlbany offers institutional aid and accepts aid through FAFSA, the state, and private sources.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

4. SUNY Brockport

On campus and online undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at SUNY Brockport. Areas of study include business, communication, education, and nursing.

SUNY Brockport, located in Brockport, NY, is a public university. It offers institutional aid, with about 75% of undergraduates receiving some type of institutional scholarship or grant.

• Estimated tuition cost: $295 per credit (in-state); $353 per credit (out-of-state online); $607 per credit (out-of-state on campus)
• Financial aid: SUNY Brockport accepts aid through FAFSA and the state. It also offers institutional aid and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Alfred State College

Alfred State College is a technical SUNY school in Alfred, NY. It offers associate and bachelor's degrees in person and online in fields like:

• business
• engineering
• healthcare and nursing
• trades

Alfred State charges the same rates as other SUNY schools and also accepts the Excelsior Scholarship. Additionally, the school offers institutional scholarships to both in-state and out-of-state students.

• Estimated tuition cost: $295 per credit (in-state); $353 per credit (out-of-state online); $500 to $751 per credit (out-of-state on-campus)
• Financial aid: Alfred State accepts FAFSA and state aid, offers institutional scholarships, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

6. SUNY Oswego

Students at SUNY Oswego can earn on-campus or online bachelor's and master's degrees. Areas of study include business, communication, education, and the visual and performing arts.

SUNY Oswego, a public university, is located in Oswego, NY. The school's tuition is consistent with other SUNY schools, and it offers millions of dollars in scholarships each year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $295 per credit (in-state); $353 per credit (out-of-state online); $722 per credit (in-state on campus)
• Financial aid: SUNY Oswego offers institutional aid and accepts state aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

7. Lehman College

Lehman College offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in-person and online. Lehman College is a public SUNY university in the Bronx in New York City.

Students can earn their degrees in fields like business, computer science, education, and healthcare. They may qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship or one of the school's many institutional scholarship offerings.

• Estimated tuition cost: $305 per credit (in-state); $620 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Lehman College offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA, state aid, and private aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

8. CUNY School of Professional Studies

Online and on-campus bachelor's and master's degrees are available through the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS). Areas of study include business, information systems, nursing, and psychology.

CUNY SPS, located in Manhattan in New York City, is a public SUNY university. It offers numerous scholarship opportunities to students at all degree levels.

• Estimated tuition cost: $305 per credit (in-state); $350 per credit (out-of-state online; $620 per credit (out-of-state on campus)
• Financial aid: CUNY SPS accepts aid through FAFSA. It also offers institutional aid and accepts private and state aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

9. University of Mount Saint Vincent

The University of Mount Saint Vincent (the Mount) is a private Catholic institution in the Bronx. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in-person and online in fields like:

• business
• education
• nursing
• psychology

Online students at the Mount don't pay much more than they would at a CUNY school. Both on-campus and online students may qualify for one of the university's many grants or scholarships as well.

• Estimated tuition cost: $324 per credit (online); $1,250 per credit (in-person)
• Financial aid: The Mount accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

10. Touro University Worldwide

Through Touro University Worldwide (TUW), students can earn online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Areas of study include business administration, health sciences, psychology, and social work.

Touro University, a private Jewish institution, is based in New York City, but its Worldwide campus, through which it offers online programs, is headquartered in California. The Worldwide campus offers low tuition in addition to scholarships to make the cost even more affordable.

• Estimated tuition cost: $400 per credit
• Financial aid: TUW offers need-based and merit-based institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

How To Make College Affordable in New York

There are several things that students can do to make college more affordable in New York. We've broken down several of these options below.

Apply for State Financial Aid Programs

New York State offers several financial aid programs to residents. We've already mentioned the Excelsior Scholarship, a last-dollar scholarship program for undergraduate students at SUNY or CUNY schools. To qualify, you must be enrolled full-time and have an adjusted combined federal household income of $125,000 or less.

Another option is the New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). It awards up to $5,665 per year to New York residents, depending on your income. You can be studying full-time or part-time, and must meet income guidelines to qualify.

Use Federal Financial Aid and Pell Grants

Federal financial aid is a common option for many students. Federal aid may include:

• Pell Grants: Need-based grants of up to $7,395 that generally do not need to be repaid.
• Federal loans: Student loans that often have lower interest rates and better repayment options than private loans.
• Federal work-study program: Programs that allow you to earn money to pay for school by working part-time for your school or a partnering organization.

Federal aid is need-based, meaning it's based on your financial need rather than something like grades or athletics. To find out what you qualify for, fill out the FAFSA every year.

Consider Community Colleges and Transfer Pathways

Many students choose to start their education at a community college, because these schools often offer more affordable degree options. For example, the cheapest SUNY schools are community colleges. SUNY community colleges charge about $231 per credit for in-state students, though some charge less. SUNY four-year schools, meanwhile, charge $295 per credit to in-state students.

By completing an associate degree, which is the cheapest degree at a community college, you can finish your first two years at a lower tuition rate. Many community colleges offer transfer pathways into four-year degrees, making it easy to finish your bachelor's.

Take Advantage of Scholarships

Scholarships are a type of gift aid that don't need to be repaid. They're usually merit-based but may also be based on financial need.

The Excelsior Scholarship is one example, but there are many scholarship opportunities offered by individual schools and private organizations. You can find scholarships by visiting the financial aid page of your chosen school or by using an online scholarship finder, such as the one on the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop website.

Explore Online and Hybrid Degree Options

In some cases, especially for out-of-state students attending public colleges, online degrees have lower tuition rates than on-campus ones. For example, at the University at Albany, online out-of-state students pay $353 per credit while out-of-state students learning on campus pay $1,178 per credit.

Additionally, learning in an online or hybrid format provides flexibility, so you can get a job or continue working while earning your degree.

FAQs About the Most Affordable Colleges in New York

New York may be an expensive state, but it also offers many low-cost colleges. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable colleges in New York.

How Much Does The City College of New York Cost?

The City College of New York (CCNY) is a CUNY school, and its rates align with CUNY rates. Undergraduate in-state residents pay $305 per credit, with a cap of $3,465 per semester. Out-of-state students pay $350 per credit for online study and $620 per credit for in-person study, with no additional out-of-state rates.

Most graduate residents pay $470 per credit with a cap of $5,545 per semester. Online out-of-state graduate students generally pay $565 per credit, while those studying on campus pay $855 per credit. Note that certain graduate programs at CCNY have higher tuition rates.

What Is the Cheapest College in New York?

The cheapest colleges in New York are community colleges. CUNY community colleges all charge $210 per credit for NYC residents.

Prices vary a little more between SUNY community colleges. Most charge around $231 per credit, but Herkimer Community College in Herkimer, NY charges just $189 per credit. This makes it the cheapest college in New York.

Do SUNY and CUNY Schools Offer In-State Tuition Discounts?

SUNY and CUNY schools, like most public schools, charge a lower rate to in-state students than to out-of-state students. Four-year SUNY schools charge $295 per credit to New York residents, and four-year CUNY schools charge $305 per credit. Prices for out-of-state students vary by school and by learning format.

In-state students at CUNY and SUNY schools are also eligible for extra financial aid options, including the Excelsior scholarship and CUNY and SUNY scholarships.

Do Cheap Colleges in New York Offer High-Quality Education?

Even the cheap colleges in New York offer a high-quality education. All the schools listed above, as well as other CUNY and SUNY schools, are regionally accredited, meaning they meet the educational standards set by the accreditation committee.

Can I Attend College in New York for Free?

It is very possible to attend college for free in New York with financial aid. Start by filling out your FAFSA, which will tell you what federal aid you qualify for. Some state aid programs will use your FAFSA to automatically add programs like the TAP or Excelsior Scholarship to your financial aid package.

Your school will also use FAFSA to see what institutional aid you may qualify for. After these options are exhausted, look for private aid, like scholarships offered by private entities.

Do Affordable Colleges in New York Offer Online Degrees?

We featured some of the cheapest online colleges in New York above, but they aren't the only ones. There are other CUNY and SUNY schools that offer online programs that we didn't include on this list, as well as several other private schools that offer online programs and tuition under $500 per credit.

Find an Affordable College in New York

Find your perfect online degree by exploring the affordable options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools for more info on tuition rates and financial aid options.