10 Most Flexible Online Colleges in New York 2025

For students who want to complete their higher education but don't have the time or ability to learn on campus, flexible online degree programs are a perfect option. These programs give students the ability to complete their coursework at the time that works best for them, with no set meeting times.

Multiple colleges and universities in New York offer flexible online degree programs. Keep reading to discover the most flexible online colleges in New York.

Accredited Online Colleges With Flexible Schedules in New York

Flexible online colleges provide a way for students to work their coursework into their busy lives. There are even accredited self-paced online colleges that offer a greater amount of flexibility.

With so many online colleges in New York, it can be hard to know which ones are truly flexible. Below, we've highlighted some of the most flexible online degree programs in New York State.

1. Empire State University

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

SUNY Empire has been providing online education for adult learners for over 30 years. Almost all online courses are asynchronous and offered in eight-week and 15-week terms.

2. Excelsior University

At Excelsior University, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Areas of study include business, healthcare, information technology, and liberal arts.

The private, nonprofit university, based in Albany, NY, offers only online programs. Most courses are asynchronous, and students can choose between eight- or 15-week courses.

3. Touro University

Touro University offers online programs from the associate degree through the doctoral level in fields like business administration, healthcare, human resources, and psychology. The nonprofit Jewish institution is headquartered in New York City.

The online classes offered by the Worldwide campus are primarily asynchronous and are eight weeks long. The university also offers a wealth of support services to help students, whether they're studying on campus or online.

4. CUNY School of Professional Studies

Undergraduate and graduate programs, including certificate programs, are available online through the CUNY School of Professional Studies. Areas of study include communications, health services, human resources, and social sciences.

The university, based in NYC, is part of the public City University of New York (CUNY) system. With asynchronous classes and seven-week terms, students have the flexibility to work around their own schedules.

5. Mercy University

Mercy University is a private research institution in Dobbs Ferry, NY. It offers online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fields like behavioral sciences, computer science, education, and psychology.

The university offers primarily eight- and 15-week terms but also four-week terms for specific programs. Most online courses are asynchronous, providing far more flexibility than in-person programs.

6. Syracuse University

Students at Syracuse University can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Areas of study include business, healthcare, information technology, and project management.

The private, nonprofit university, located in Syracuse, NY, offers courses in eight-week and full semester terms. Students can still enjoy the academic excellence of Syracuse but in a much more flexible format.

7. Utica University

Utica University offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online in fields like business administration, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and healthcare. The nonprofit private school is based in Utica, NY.

Online study at Utica is a great option for working professionals who wish to complete a degree in a convenient format that fits into their busy schedules. Most courses are asynchronous and offered in eight- and 16-week terms.

8. St. Joseph's University

Undergraduate and graduate programs are available online through St. Joseph's University. Areas of study include criminal justice, health administration, human resources, and psychology.

The private Catholic school has campuses in the NYC boroughs of Brooklyn and Long Island. Its asynchronous online courses are available in 7.5- and 15-week terms.

9. State University of New York at Delhi

The State University of New York at Delhi is a SUNY school in Delhi, NY. It offers online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fields like criminal justice, management, and nursing.

These programs provide students the flexibility of getting an education on their schedule and can be completed either part-time or full-time. Courses are offered in full-semester or half-semester options.

10. University of Mount St. Vincent

Through the University of Mount St. Vincent, students can earn undergraduate or graduate degrees online. Areas of study include communication, economics, psychology, and public policy.

The private Catholic school, located in the Bronx in NYC, offers its online programs in seven-week terms. These programs are real-world applicable and taught by the same respected faculty who teach on-campus students.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the online colleges with flexible schedules in New York, we focused on:

• Location: We started by looking at schools that are based in New York.
• Accreditation: All schools on this list hold regional accreditation.
• Type: We focused specifically on four-year public and private nonprofit schools.
• Online programs: The schools above all offer a variety of online programs, especially bachelor's programs.
• Asynchronous courses: We chose schools that primarily offer their online classes in an asynchronous format.
• Scheduling flexibility:The programs on this list offer accelerated course schedules, which tend to work better for busy students.

Online Courses and Asynchronous Online Learning

Most flexible online colleges offer their courses asynchronously. This means that while you have due dates, you have the flexibility to complete your coursework at any time of day. This is different from synchronous classes, which often require students to participate in meetings via Zoom or other platforms at set times.

Asynchronous courses are usually held through virtual classroom platforms like Canvas or Brightspace. Your online course may require you to watch video lectures, read from the textbook or other sources, and complete projects. You may also be asked to participate in interactive learning, like discussion posts.

How To Choose Online Degrees With Flexible Schedules

There are many online colleges with flexible schedules out there, and it can be hard to determine which one is right for you. Some things to consider include:

• Accreditation: Whatever school you choose needs to be accredited, preferably regionally accredited.
• Major: The major you're pursuing may not be available online at all schools.
• Class format: Most online classes are offered asynchronously, but not all.
• Schedule: Your school may offer classes that last a full semester or classes that take seven or eight weeks. You may also be able to choose between a full-time and part-time schedule.
• Admissions requirements: Some schools require just a high school diploma, while others have stricter requirements.
• Student services: You may prefer the support services and academic advising options offered at one school over those at another.
• Affordability: Tuition rates and financial aid can vary significantly from school to school; luckily there are several affordable online colleges in New York.

FAQs About Flexible Online Colleges in New York

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about flexible online degree programs in New York.

How Much Is Online College in New York?

The cost of online college in New York depends on several factors, including whether you attend a public or private school and whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student. At SUNY schools, tuition is just $295 per credit for in-state students in undergraduate programs. Meanwhile, at Mercy University, tuition for undergraduate programs is over $900 per credit.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the average cost for an online degree in New York is $298.33 per credit. Since most bachelor's degrees are around 120 credits, an entire online degree will cost around $35,800.

What Is the Easiest Online College To Get Into in New York?

Empire State University and Excelsior University are two of the easiest online colleges to get into in New York. Both have open admissions policies, meaning they accept all students who meet the minimum requirements.

Who Should Consider Online Bachelor's Degree Completion Programs?

Students who have some college education, whether that's a year of school or a whole associate degree, and who want to finish their education in a flexible format, are the perfect candidates for online bachelor's degree completion programs.

These programs allow you to transfer in your previous credits and then complete your degree. Credit requirements vary; some schools only offer degree completion programs to those with an associate degree.

Find Bachelor's Degree Programs for Online Students Today

Find the perfect flexible online college in New York by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to request information on admissions, enrollment, and scheduling.