For students looking for one of the best online colleges in NYC, we’ve put together some of our top picks for nonprofit colleges and universities. These small colleges in New York were selected based on their tuition price, student population size, and program variety.
Our editors first reviewed affordable online colleges in NYC in July 2023. This ranking was last updated in February 2024.
Featured Programs
Methodology for the Best Online Colleges in NYC
The programs listed below are ordered from the highest to the lowest score based on the program’s affordability. Rates shown are in-state undergraduate tuition fees. These rates can vary depending on your location, and the online version of a program can (and often does) have a different cost. Additionally, financial aid, grants, or scholarships can change the overall tuition fees. With that in mind, students should consider each of these schools and programs before making a final decision.
| Rank | School | Accreditation | Tuition (in-state, undergraduate) |
| #1 | CUNY School of Professional Studies | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $7,340 |
| #2 | CUNY Lehman College | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $7,410 |
| #3 | CUNY John Jay College | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $7,470 |
| #4 | Touro University | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $21,170 |
| #5 | Mercy University | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $21,358 |
| #6 | St. Joseph’s University | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $32,370 |
| #7 | St John’s University | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $47,830 |
| #8 | Pace University | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $50,026 |
| #9 | The New School | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $54,347 |
| #10 | New York University | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $58,168 |
#1. CUNY School of Professional Studies
CUNY School of Professional Studies is a public college located in Midtown Manhattan. A great online college in New York City, CUNY SPS was founded in 2003 and offers a number of degree programs for undergraduates.
Students at CUNY can earn online bachelor’s degrees in business, communication, nursing, sociology, and many other disciplines. Online master’s degrees in business management, data analytics, psychology, and more are also offered by the institution. Tuition rates at CUNY SPS are low, helping the school to rank among the most affordable online colleges in NYC.
Pros
- Affordable undergraduate tuition for in-state students
- Diverse programming for online students
- Low student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1
Cons
- Higher tuition for out-of-state students
#2. CUNY Lehman College
Established in 1931, CUNY Lehman College was originally the Bronx campus of Hunter College. Still located in The Bronx, CUNY Lehman is a City University of New York System member and enrolls just over 13,000 students.
The school offers students many online degree options. Students can choose online degree programs in areas of nursing (online RN-BSN) and business (online Master of Business Administration). There is also an online Master in Health Education and an online Master in Organizational Leadership degree. These programs are some of the most affordable in New York state. CUNY Lehman ranks among the top online NYC colleges due to its commitment to offering the students of New York online degrees at an affordable price.
Pros
- 17 online programs
- 60% of undergraduate students graduate debt free
- Affordable in-state tuition
- Low student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1
Cons
- Higher tuition for out-of-state students
#3. CUNY John Jay College
Located in New York City, CUNY John Jay College is a public college founded in 1964. Since its founding, the school has focused primarily on offering criminal justice and criminal justice-related degree programs. Currently, the school enrolls a student body of 13,921 students.
CUNY JJC offers several online degrees through its John Jay Online program. The platform offers undergraduate and graduate-level online degree programs for students to enroll full- or part-time. These programs are based on their on-campus counterparts and offered to students at an affordable tuition rate. Online degrees focus on criminal justice-related programs, such as a Bachelor of Science in Security Management, a Master of Science in Emergency Management, and more.
Pros
- 85% of students graduate debt free
- 31 undergraduate majors
- Affordable in-state tuition
- Specialized programs for future law students
Cons
- Higher tuition for out-of-state students
- Limited number of diverse program offerings
#4. Touro University
A private college located in New York City, Touro University is a Jewish school that has grown over the years to become one of the top affordable online colleges in NYC. About 11,000 students are enrolled at the school.
Online programs include studies in business, industrial and organizational psychology, and human services. The tuition rate at Touro is very affordable, helping the school rank among the top online colleges in New York City. You can find both undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered through the Touro University Worldwide platform. These online degrees offer students flexibility when it comes to their class scheduling.
Pros
- 83% of undergraduate students receive financial aid
- Extensive alumni network
- Low student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1
Cons
- Limited number of online undergraduate degrees
#5. Mercy University
Mercy University is a private college located in Dobbs Ferry, New York, with campuses in Manhattan and The Bronx. Founded in 1950, Mercy extended its additional campuses into Manhattan and The Bronx in the 1960s. The school enrolls about 8,600 students.
Mercy students receive a large selection of online degree programs. These online degrees include 30 undergraduate programs, and many graduate and certification programs. Students enrolled in these online degree programs get access to an affordable tuition rate. Online degrees offered by Mercy have primarily asynchronous components. Some require students to visit one of the Mercy campuses for at least a portion of the program.
Pros
- Diverse selection of online undergraduate programs
- Good for students pursuing health professions
- Low student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1
- Out-of-state residents pay the same tuition rate as in-state students
- Wide range of disciplines, from nursing to technology
Cons
- Campus requirements for some online programs
#6. St. Joseph’s University
Established in 1916, St. Joseph’s University is a private university located in Brooklyn. Since its founding with the Catholic Church, it’s grown to enroll a student body of 4,348 students.
Online degrees offered by St. Joseph’s meet the same rigorous academic standards as their on-campus counterparts. Students enrolling in one of the online degrees can select from a catalog of a dozen different academic subjects. Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available online. As part of our ranking of the top accredited online colleges in NYC, St. Joseph’s offers a solid selection of online programs at an affordable tuition rate for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Pros
- Low student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1
- Nine online graduate programs offered
- Six undergraduate certificates offered
- Small student body
- Strong online criminal justice program
Cons
- Higher tuition than some NY state schools
- Limited number of online undergraduate programs
#7. St. John’s University
Founded in 1870, St. John’s University is located in New York City. It is a Catholic university with a student population of over 19,000 students.
Students at St. John’s have access to many different online degree programs. These programs do not require any visits to campus but allow students to build relationships online. St. John’s students can select from several undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Disciplines include business, finance, marketing, and more. St. John’s ranks among the top accredited online colleges in NYC due to its program selection and commitment to online education.
Pros
- Low student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1
- Many online programs for business students
- Study abroad opportunities
Cons
- Larger city university
- Limited online bachelor’s degree programs
#8. Pace University
Pace University is located in New York City. Founded in 1906, Pace was originally a business school. It has grown to a large university enrolling over 13,000 students.
Students at Pace can select from the school’s large catalog of online degree programs. Pace offers nine different online undergraduate degrees and 20 online graduate programs. These programs include business administration, cybersecurity, accounting, finance, and more. Due to its extensive degree offerings online, the school ranks among the top accredited online colleges in NYC.
Pros
- Diverse selection of undergraduate programs
- Low student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1
- Wide range of internship opportunities
Cons
- Higher tuition than other NY state schools
#9. The New School
The New School in Manhattan was founded in 1919. Since its founding, it has grown to become one of the top liberal arts schools in the nation. Currently, The New School enrolls a student body of 10,108 students.
Online students can select from a focused array of degree programs. These online degrees focus heavily on providing students with access to education at the undergraduate and graduate level in the arts. There are six online bachelor’s and master’s degrees, designed to help students advance in the arts. The school’s commitment to online education has it rank among the top affordable online colleges in NYC.
Pros
- 83% retention rate for first-time students pursuing a bachelor’s degree
- Low student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1
- Over 20 online certificate programs
- Ranked as a top art and design school in the U.S.
Cons
- Higher tuition than other New York state schools
- Limited selection of online degrees
#10. New York University
A private research university, New York University is one of the most prestigious colleges in the state. It is also one of the oldest, founded in 1831. Currently, NYU enrolls 59,144 students.
NYU offers a robust offering of online degree programs. Students enrolled online can select from a few dozen different undergraduate, graduate, and certification programs. These online degrees model after the on-campus counterparts and uphold the same level of academic rigor. This commitment to online programming earns NYU a spot on our list of top accredited online colleges in New York.
Pros
- Low student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1
- Prestigious university with stellar reputation
- Ranked #1 in NYC
- Top-ranked online graduate programs
Cons
- Higher tuition cost than other New York state schools
- Large university with over 59,000 students
Other New York Colleges to Consider
- Columbia University
- Fordham University
- Metropolitan College of New York
- Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
With an acceptance rate of 13%, NYU ranks among New York colleges as one of the best. The prestigious research institution has received recognition and praise from all major publications including U.S. News & World Report, Princeton Review, and Forbes.
Absolutely! Online education offers flexibility, and is great for students looking for this convenience. New York has many options for students looking for online degrees at the graduate or undergraduate levels. Employers’ attitudes toward online degrees have evolved. Many now value them if earned from accredited New York institutions.
CUNY is more affordable than many other New York colleges and universities. It receives state funding and is able to keep its tuition rates low. Some students qualify to attend CUNY tuition-free and graduate without debt. Financial aid opportunities can help students keep their cost of attendance low.
It depends on the school. CUNY schools offer in-state tuition for New York residents. The cost for attendance for in-state undergraduates is around $7,400/year. You can offset some of these costs, if not all, by qualifying for financial aid. Scholarships, work-study, and grants can help you graduate debt-free.
According to the U.S. Department of Education’s most recent IPEDS Survey indicates that the average cost of college in New York is $20,541/year. This number changes each year, but will give you an estimate of the average cost of a New York higher education.
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This concludes our ranking of top online colleges in NYC.
NPCO Staff
