With the hustle and bustle of New York City and the natural beauty of upstate New York, the Empire State has much to offer.
But what if you're interested in online colleges in New York? The state's online colleges and universities offer an affordable path to a college degree. You can save money by enrolling at a CUNY school online and avoiding the high living costs in New York City.
Discover tips about the best online colleges in NY and tips to save money in this helpful guide.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Colleges in New York 2025
#1 Best Online Colleges in New York 2025
Empire State University
- Saratoga Springs, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Empire State University, a part of the prestigious State University of New York system, has offered distance learning options since 1995. Online courses are asynchronous, allowing learners to complete their assignments around their schedules. Students can also customize their degrees to align with their goals and interests.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $3,535
Out of State | $4,240
Why Students Choose SUNY Empire:
- 24-7 Online Tutoring: Students can get help when they need it with on-demand online tutoring and academic coaching.
- Diverse Degree Options: SUNY Empire's online campus offers more than 120 degrees.
- Generous Transfer Policy: SUNY Empire allows each undergraduate to transfer up to 79 credits.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Higher Out-of-State Tuition: Online students living outside of New York pay about $700 more per semester than in-state students.
- Low-Cost Payment Plans: The interest-free Time Payment Plan allows qualifying learners to break their tuition into installments.
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
83%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 Best Online Colleges in New York 2025
Mercy College
- Dobbs Ferry, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
With more than 30 programs offered entirely online by its six schools, Mercy College provides diverse learning opportunities for learners seeking a flexible education. Mercy students receive career, academic, and student engagement support from dedicated mentors throughout their college experience.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $10,990
Out of State | $10,990
Why Students Choose Mercy:
- Online Hybrid Courses: Available for select courses, the online hybrid format blends live online instruction with self-paced work.
- Numerous Support Services: All students can access helpful resources, such as accessibility assistance, counseling, and wellness services.
- 4+1 Programs: These pathways allow learners to pursue select bachelor's and master's degrees simultaneously.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Test-Optional Policy: SAT and ACT scores aren't required for admission, but students can submit them if they desire.
- In-Person Components: Some online education degrees have in-person teaching requirements.
- Optional Student Orientation: Offers an on-campus session each August to introduce new students to Mercy clubs and supportive resources.
Percent Online Enrollment
66%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#3 Best Online Colleges in New York 2025
Syracuse University
- Syracuse, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Syracuse University features 60 fully online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in synchronous and asynchronous formats. Syracuse participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to make higher education more affordable and accessible for military veterans.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $31,855
Out of State | $31,855
Why Students Choose Syracuse:
- Student Success Toolkit: Online learners access a toolkit with helpful guides and resources to navigate their online programs.
- Experiential Learning Credit: Syracuse awards credit for eligible learning experiences, including work, military experience, volunteerism, and portfolios.
- Multiple Start Dates: Offers up to six start dates per year, allowing students to begin when ready.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Higher Part-Time Tuition: Students who enroll part-time pay a higher tuition rate than full-time students.
- Some Live Classes: Some courses have synchronous sessions, which students must accommodate into their schedules.
- Start Now Grant: Online learners can qualify for a 30% tuition discount for their first 15 credits for the 2024-2025 school year.
Percent Online Enrollment
21%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#4 Best Online Colleges in New York 2025
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
- Utica, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
SUNY Polytechnic Institute stands out for its STEM-focused degrees and integration within New York's tech hub. It has multiple online and hybrid programs for graduates and undergraduates, including a bachelor of science in nursing and a family nurse practitioner master's degree.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $3,535
Out of State | $4,240
Why Students Choose SUNY Poly:
- Self-Paced Courses: Many online programs feature asynchronous coursework so students can complete their assignments on their schedules.
- Accelerated Nursing Education: SUNY Poly's online accelerated nursing education program awards a bachelor's and a master's in about three years.
- STEAM Support: The STEAM Circle provides networking and professional development opportunities to women in STEAM fields.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Financial Aid Workshops: Introduces and compares financial aid options for applicants through virtual, expert-led workshops.
- Emergency Fund: An eligible student experiencing financial hardship can apply for up to $1,000 of emergency funding.
- Educational Opportunity Program: This program accepts qualified applicants who may not qualify for regular admission to SUNY Poly.
Percent Online Enrollment
78%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#5 Best Online Colleges in New York 2025
Utica University
- Utica, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
With dozens of online undergraduate and graduate programs, Utica University can prepare learners for careers in several fields, including healthcare and information technology. Over 95% of Utica students receive financial aid, like scholarships and grants, through the school's more than 300 scholarships and awards.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $395-$475
Out of State | $395-$475
Why Students Choose Utica:
- Textbook Bundles: Utica bundles the textbooks each student needs upon enrollment and includes the cost of books in tuition.
- Transfer Credit-Friendly: Transfer up to 90 credits from another undergraduate degree program into an online bachelor's program.
Know Before You Enroll:
- No Required Test Scores: Candidates do not need to submit ACT or SAT scores for undergraduate applications.
- Varied Tuition Rates: Some degree programs charge higher tuition rates than others.
- In-Person Residency: An on-campus residency or orientation is required for online nursing and post-professional doctorate program students.
Percent Online Enrollment
72%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. Our most important metric — affordability — accounts for 60% of our formula on our most affordable rankings. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This list is from 2025. To learn more, consult our school ranking methodology.
Price Check
Did you know that in-state tuition in New York is lower than the national average? You can expect to pay around $8,500 per year in tuition and fees as an in-state resident, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
10 Fast-Growing Careers in New York
The Empire State offers an incredible diversity of career opportunities, thanks to New York City's powerful influence. Its large population and long-held status as a driving economic and cultural force give it relevance as a trend-setting professional destination.
The following table, generated with data from the New York State Department of Labor, offers a snapshot of 10 careers poised for huge growth during the 2020s. It spans industries and employment settings, from entertainment and healthcare to religion and the arts.
Fast-Growing Careers in New York
| Job |
Projected Growth (2023-2033) |
Annual Mean Wage in NY, May 2023 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes |
87% |
$123,466 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors |
73% |
$70,164 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education |
67% |
$71,521 |
| Fundraisers |
60% |
$82,951 |
| Clergy |
60% |
$72,525 |
| Religious Workers |
56% |
$46,368 |
| Nurse Practitioners |
57% |
$142,830 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators |
56% |
$71,470 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners |
54% |
$78,168 |
| Music Directors and Composers |
52% |
N/A |
Source: New York State Department of Labor
Majors to Consider to Prepare for New York's Job Market
You'll need to choose your college major strategically to take advantage of the high-growth career paths profiled above. To that end, consider the benefits of earning a degree in the following subjects:
-
Business Management
A business management degree offers excellent flexibility. This practical major offers market relevance in virtually any set of economic conditions. It also positions you to take advantage of fast-growing career paths in event planning and managing artists, performers, and athletes.
-
Theology, Theological Studies, or Divinity
The New York State Department of Labor projects strong growth in demand for religious educators, clergy, and workers in religious organizations. College programs in theology, theological studies, and divinity offer an excellent educational background for entering these professions.
-
Nursing
New York anticipates a massive surge in demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) in the decade ahead. To become an NP, you'll need to work as a registered nurse, earn a bachelor of science in nursing, and then proceed to a graduate-level degree program.
-
Funerary Services or Mortuary Science
New York's rapidly aging population means the state will likely experience a strong demand for mortuary and funerary professionals in the near future. Morbid as it may be, the labor market will always need capable morticians and funeral directors, given the realities of the human lifespan.
What Is the Cost of College in New York?
New York's public colleges are known for their strong education and affordability. The cost of public college for in-state students is around $1,175 less than the national average. And for out-of-state students, New York's public universities are nearly $7,500 less than the national average.
Universities with flat online tuition can help you save on New York universities, regardless of your residence status. This gives you greater flexibility to study from anywhere and can help you save on transportation and housing costs.
Average Cost of College in New York
| Institution Type |
Average Tuition and Required Fees in NY |
Average Tuition and Required Fees in the U.S. |
| Public Four-Year (In-State) |
$8,575 |
$9,750 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) |
$20,637 |
$28,297 |
| Private Four-Year |
$28,730 |
$46,280 |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
Scholarships & Cost Savings for Online Colleges in NY
Studying online is a great way to save money. Some schools offer discounted rates to students in 100% online programs. Many public colleges also apply uniform tuition fees to all learners in fully online degrees regardless of residency status.
Scholarships represent another valuable path to potential savings. While you should expand your search for scholarships beyond those exclusively available in New York State, the following funding opportunities can help you get started:
New York residents qualify for the tuition assistance program, which provides up to $5,665 per year for approved New York colleges.
New Yorkers can get up to $5,500 in tuition funding to attend a SUNY or CUNY college with the Excelsior Scholarship. The scholarship is open to those with a family income of $125,000 or less.
New York high schoolers in the top 10% of their classes can receive up to $7,070 per year to earn STEM degrees at public colleges in New York.
Graduates from New York high schools qualify for $500-$1,500 per year if they attend New York colleges full-time.
Want to become a math or science teacher? This grant covers up to $7,070 per year in tuition fees if you study at a New York State college.
Tuition Reciprocity Benefits for Out-of-State Students in New York
Tuition reciprocity agreements can help you save money if you attend a public college as an out-of-state student. These agreements extend in-state tuition rates or other discounts to nonresident students from neighboring states.
Unfortunately, New York does not directly participate in any formal tuition reciprocity agreements. Some New York public colleges may offer exceptions, but schools set their tuition policies individually.
As a New York resident, you may qualify for discounted tuition at schools in nearby states. For instance, some state colleges in Connecticut offer special tuition rates to residents of nearby states, including New York and New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in New York
The cheapest online college in NY is the CUNY system. CUNY Lehman College reports an annual net price of $4,974, according to NCES data. Lehman College offers several online programs, including bachelor's programs in accounting, nursing, sociology, and business. You can also earn a master's degree in business, education, or other fields.
Several online colleges in NY report high acceptance rates. For example, Empire State University, Roberts Wesleyan University, and Excelsior University all have a 100% acceptance rate.
The cost of online colleges in New York depends on the school. At many schools, online students pay similar prices to on-campus students. In New York, public colleges charge an average tuition rate of $8,541, while private colleges charge around $44,149, according to 2021-2022 NCES data.
Online college isn't free in New York, but the state offers several forms of financial aid that can deliver a tuition-free education. The Excelsior Scholarship covers tuition at a SUNY or CUNY college, including for distance learners.
You don't have to be a New York resident to attend New York online colleges. You can enroll in an online program offered by a New York college from out of state. Some New York colleges offer a flat tuition rate for distance learners regardless of their residency, and others charge students the regular out-of-state tuition.
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