2025 Top Online Community Colleges in New York

Learn about the top choices for online community colleges in New York, chosen for their flexibility for working students and affordability. Read more here.

Community colleges allow students to get a head start on both their education and their careers.

Online community colleges in New York allow students to earn valuable college credits without having to live on campus or commute to class.

Learning more about the top online community colleges can help you find an excellent program in your desired area of study.

Featured Community Colleges Online in New York

Here are some of the finest online community colleges in New York.

1. Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is an excellent choice for online community colleges in New York.

There are 16 online associate degree programs available. All courses are taught with the same material as in-person degree programs.

Choose from accounting, business administration, creative writing, history, or sociology degrees. These degrees can be used for transfer credit at many universities.

2. Onondaga Community College

There are two associate's degrees available at Onondaga Community College in creative writing and health information technology.

Over 100 online courses are offered every semester for students. All online students have access to The Learning Center which offers tutoring and academic support in person or through virtual sessions.

The Community Care Hub and financial aid office both offer online appointments.

3. Monroe Community College

Earning an associate's degree online at Monroe Community College is a great way to save time and money. Choose from 13 online degree programs taught 100% online, with many more options taught 50% or more online.

Some of the degree programs available are:

  • Criminal Justice
  • Hospitality Management
  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Sport Management

14 universities participate in the 2+2 Transfer Pathway for students who are looking to earn their bachelor's degree.

4. Genesee Community College

Genesee Community College is one of the top online community colleges in New York.

They offer synchronous and asynchronous courses so students can choose what schedule they prefer.

These classes are on the same academic calendar as the in-person classes, so they are not taught in a self-paced format.

Online courses involve more writing and reading than in-person classes due to the nature of not attending in-person lectures.

5. Hudson Valley Community College

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) offers 15 fully online associate's degrees. Some programs may have in-person proctored exams or labs, while others never require campus visits.

HVCC has one of the largest number of students of any community college in New York. They are part of the prestigious SUNY system.

Over 100 scholarships are awarded to students every year who show financial need and academic promise. Contact the financial aid office to learn more about these opportunities.

6. Broome Community College

Broome Community College is part of the SUNY system. Students can enroll and start their degree any time of the year to allow flexibility for all schedules.

There are 16 degree programs available fully online, with many more that are partially online.

Online courses are taught using six different modalities:

  • Distance learning asynch
  • Distance learning asynch proctored
  • Distance learning asynch (blended)
  • Distance learning blended proctored
  • Distance learning synch
  • Distance learning synch proctored

7. Jefferson Community College

Jefferson Community College is an excellent choice for students who are looking to earn their associate's degree online with extreme flexibility.

Online courses are taught in either 4-week, 8-week, or 15-week sessions. Courses have regular deadlines and expect frequent participation, though students can study in their own time.

There are many academic services offered to online students to help them be as successful as possible, as well as transfer planning services for those who would like to earn their bachelor's degree.

8. Erie Community College

Erie Community College offers 12 fully online associate's degrees in a variety of disciplines, including:

  • business administration
  • criminal justice
  • humanities
  • information technology
  • social science

Students can complete their work at any time that fits their schedule. Classes are designed with busy and working students in mind.

Any student taking at least 6 credit hours a semester can now qualify for the New York State's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

9. Finger Lakes Community College

Finger Lakes Community College's 20 online associate's degrees provide many excellent options for various industries.

All online courses can be completed from anywhere and at any time. These classes have been designed for students who thrive off independent study and flexibility.

Faculty for online degrees are the same distinguished faculty as in-person classes, ensuring all students have an excellent experience and are ready for the workforce.

10. Herkimer County Community College

Herkimer County Community College is well-known throughout Central New York but its online programs allow students to study from any location.

Students can earn high-quality associate's degrees in many areas of business, criminal justice and law, STEM, healthcare, and liberal arts.

Graduates will be well-prepared to enter the workforce or complete a bachelor's degree at a university of their choosing.

Is Community College Free in New York?

The Excelsior Scholarship Program enables students from households making less than $125,000 to attend community college tuition-free.

Students must complete 30 credits per year and maintain residence in the state after graduation for the amount of time they receive funding.

How Much Does Community College Cost in New York?

The average tuition cost for online community colleges in New York is $6,540.

Students receiving financial aid may end up paying a reduced amount or nothing at all in some cases.

New York Community College Degree Types

Students attending a community college typically earn an associate's degree.

An associate's degree requires roughly half the credits of a bachelor's degree and enables students to transfer to a bachelor's degree program.

The two main types of associate's degrees are Associate of Sciences (AS) and Associate of Arts (AA).

Career Opportunities for New York Community College Graduates

Graduates of online community colleges in New York have several career options.

An associate's degree is a typical qualification for technicians and assistants in many fields.

Completing an associate's degree also positions students to transfer to a four-year program and finish a bachelor's degree in their area of study.

Find an Online Community College Today

Online community colleges in New York can help students earn degrees flexibly and affordably.

Find an online program that will support your learning goals and get started right away.