Inside Look at the Best Online Colleges in New York

Going to college has a number of challenges. One of the largest and most important is making the time for it. Online learning has made it easier for busy students and professionals to earn a certificate or a degree, especially in New York. Colleges across the state offer a wide range of online degree options and at all degree levels. In 2019, nearly 20% of college students in the state enrolled in at least one online course.

When looking for quality online college options in New York, you may wonder if you can afford the cost. Or if the degree you want will lead to the career you need. As a New York student learning online, you qualify for in-state tuition at public schools, and, with a large alumni network, can benefit from extensive networking opportunities after you earn your credential. Keep reading to find the best online college program in New York for you, and to get the information you need to start your higher educational journey on the right foot.

Top Online Colleges in New York for 2024

If you’re thinking about attending one of the many online colleges in New York but feel overwhelmed by your options, we get it. New York is home to 300+ schools, and it can be difficult to find the one that meets your academic, financial, emotional, personal, and professional needs.

To help the process go a bit more smoothly, we’ve ranked the best online colleges in New York for 2024. Our methodology factors in financial aid opportunities, student-to-teacher ratios, graduation and job placement rates, student support services, and affordable tuition. The best schools offer ample support before, during, and after your degree. Dig in to find the right school for you.

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools
or
Select a StateNew York
About the Ranking
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
• Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
• Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
• For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
Affordability
• Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
• Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
• Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
• Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
• 1

  University at Buffalo

  Buffalo, New York

  Public $$

  With the University at Buffalo’s (UB) online programs, avoid the commute while saving time and money as you earn your degree. From undergraduate to doctoral degrees, UB’s challenging online curricula meets the same rigorous standards as on-campus programs. Multiple online class formats are available, from completely online programs to hybrid classes that bring together the best of online and in-person instruction. For entirely online courses, asynchronous classes are the most common. In these classes, students listen to lectures at their convenience and interact with classmates and instructors on UB’s message boards. With small class sizes and an emphasis on online discussion, students have plenty of opportunities to establish lasting relationships with professors and peers, even if they’re miles apart.

  Program Highlights:

  Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and Quantitative Methods

  • Credits: 34
  • Length: 1-2 years
  • Cost: $471-$565/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

  Master of Education in Literacy Education Studies

  • Credits: 30
  • Length: 1-2 years
  • Cost: $471-$565/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

  Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science

  • Credits: 72
  • Length: 4-5 years
  • Cost: $471-$565/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 2

  SUNY College at Oswego

  Oswego, New York

  Public $$

  SUNY Oswego offers diverse online programs to meet the needs of both undergraduate and graduate students. The bachelor’s degree completion program is best for students who have already earned an associate degree from another college and want to complete undergraduate coursework online. The online master’s degree programs are ideal for busy working adults who wish to advance their professional credentials. Since Oswego is just one location in the more extensive SUNY system, online students aren’t limited to programs available at this particular location. They can also take courses from any online program in the SUNY network. All SUNY colleges offer online coursework during summer, fall, and winter terms and maintain the same academic objectives and workload as traditional programs. The only difference is that students gain the convenience and flexibility of online study.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations Completion Program

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $3,535/semester
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

  Bachelor of Science in Wellness Management Degree Completion Program

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $3,535/semester
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

  Master of Business Administration

  • Credits: 36-57
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $625/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: AACSB

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 3

  SUNY College at Plattsburgh

  Plattsburgh, New York

  Public $$

  SUNY Plattsburgh offers five bachelor’s and master’s degree programs to online students seeking an alternative to traditional on-campus education. Just like traditional students, online learners at Plattsburgh benefit from small classes and qualified instructors from the SUNY faculty. Though most of these programs are based entirely online, students still have the option to participate in internships and practicums that can be completed on site, in person, or online. Even though students might never meet their professors or classmates face to face, they build lasting relationships as they participate in a dynamic online learning environment. Each student is also assigned a dedicated faculty advisor and academic coordinator who will help them identify and reach their unique goals.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $3,814-$4,519/semester
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: AACSB

  RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 2-6 years
  • Cost: $3,814-$4,519/semester
  • Mode: Online, plus clinical experience
  • Accreditation: CCNE

  Master’s in Childhood Education

  • Credits: 42
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $5,934-$6,785/semester
  • Mode: Fully online, plus fieldwork
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 4

  SUNY at Fredonia

  Fredonia, New York

  Public $$

  As part of the larger SUNY system, online students at SUNY Fredonia have access to all SUNY online courses in addition to those offered at the Fredonia campus. Whether students attend Fredonia-based online courses or participate in other SUNY online classes, they’ll benefit from the flexibility and freedom of 100% online study. Select courses are asynchronous, meaning students can listen to recorded lectures independently. Other classes are taught as 100% synchronous online courses, with live digital instruction taking place over Zoom on specific dates and times.

  Program Highlights:

  Master of Education – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

  • Credits: 30-40
  • Length: 1-1.5 years
  • Cost: $541.40-$635.40/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 5

  SUNY Brockport

  Brockport, New York

  Public $$

  From bachelor’s to master’s degrees, SUNY Brockport offers convenient online instruction for students who find it challenging to fit an on-campus degree program into their busy schedules. With online education, students won’t have to choose between success in their careers, keeping up with life’s obligations, and pursuing a degree. At Brockport, online courses are made available via the Blackboard Learning Management System, where students can log in to listen to course lectures, receive assignments, and turn in completed work. A dedicated Online Student Concierge provides support and referrals to on-campus service offices as needed during a student’s studies.

  Program Highlights:

  Master’s in Accounting

  • Credits: 30
  • Length: 1-5 years
  • Cost: $471-$565/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: AACSB

  Master’s in Liberal Studies

  • Credits: 30
  • Length: 1-2 years
  • Cost: $471-$565/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

  Master of Public Health

  • Credits: 42
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $471-$565/credit
  • Mode: Fully online, plus internship
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 6

  Stony Brook University

  Stony Brook, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 7

  SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

  Syracuse, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  3

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 8

  SUNY College of Technology at Canton

  Canton, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 9

  SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

  Delhi, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 10

  Mercy College

  Dobbs Ferry, New York

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 11

  SUNY Oneonta

  Oneonta, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 12

  SUNY Cortland

  Cortland, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 13

  SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

  Alfred, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 14

  Monroe College

  Bronx, New York

  Private for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 15

  SUNY Maritime College

  Throggs Neck, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 16

  SUNY College at Old Westbury

  Old Westbury, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 17

  Davis College

  Johnson City, New York

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  6/1

• 18

  Farmingdale State College

  Farmingdale, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 19

  Touro College

  New York, New York

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  11/1

• 20

  Utica College

  Utica, New York

  Private not-for-profit $$$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  12/1

• 21

  Hilbert College

  Hamburg, New York

  Private not-for-profit $$$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 22

  Fashion Institute of Technology

  New York, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 23

  Metropolitan College of New York

  New York, New York

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 24

  The College of Westchester

  White Plains, New York

  Private for-profit $$$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  22/1

• 25

  Berkeley College-New York

  New York, New York

  Private for-profit $$$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  26/1

• 26

  DeVry College of New York

  New York, New York

  Private for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  28/1

• 27

  Bryant & Stratton College-Online

  Orchard Park, New York

  Private for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  28/1

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools
or
Select a StateNew York
About the Ranking
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
• Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
• Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
• For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
Affordability
• Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
• Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
• Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
• Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
• 1

  Tompkins Cortland Community College

  Dryden, New York

  Public $$

  Tompkins Cortland Community College provides a wide variety of online options for undergraduates, including certificate programs, fully online programs, programs that can be completed 80% online, and programs that can be completed 50% online. Students choose a mix of traditional in-class and online experiences. Tompkins Cortland is a leader in online education, and students are taught by faculty with years of online teaching experience. Courses are flexible to fit students’ schedules, and online students pay the resident per-credit fee.

  Program Highlights:

  Paralegal AAS Degree

  • Credits: 63
  • Length: 2 or 3 semesters
  • Cost: $204/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Hotel and Restaurant Management AAS Degree

  • Credits: 62
  • Length: Varies
  • Cost: $204/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Chemical Dependency Counseling AAS Degree

  • Credits: 62
  • Length: Varies
  • Cost: $204/credit
  • Mode: 80% online
  • Accreditation: Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  11/1

• 2

  Jamestown Community College

  Jamestown, New York

  Public $$

  Jamestown Community College offers more than 15 online undergraduate and certificate programs designed with flexibility in mind. Courses are delivered through Brightspace, and online students have access to the same resources as on-campus students. Those include advising, tutoring, IT support, the counseling and career center, and more. Students also have access to Open SUNY, a collaboration that gives online learners seamless navigation to courses, degrees, professors, and academic opportunities from all 64 SUNY campuses. Students can move from an associate degree to a bachelor’s to a master’s to a doctorate entirely online.

  Program Highlights:

  Administrative Professional AAS

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $221-$442/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Information Technology AAS

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $221-$442/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  • Credits: 61
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost:  $221-$442/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 3

  Genesee Community College

  Batavia, New York

  Public $

  Genesee Community College offers a wide variety of courses, degrees, and certificate programs completely online. Online courses are either asynchronous, synchronous, partially synchronous with online coursework and some scheduled virtual class time, hybrid with a mix of specific virtual class times and online coursework, or hyflex with a mix of online coursework, virtual meeting times, and recorded classes. Students can move between modalities throughout the semester. Coursework is delivered through a variety of learning resources, including digital course materials, textbooks, field assignments, exams, online discussions, papers, projects, labs, presentations, video lectures, review sessions, and course discussion boards.

  Program Highlights:

  Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies Associate in Science

  • Credits: 62
  • Length: Varies
  • Cost: $205-$410/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Communications and Media Arts Associate in Science

  • Credits: 62
  • Length: Varies
  • Cost: $205-$410/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Criminal Justice: Forensics AAS

  • Credits: 62
  • Length: Varies
  • Cost: $205-$410/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 4

  SUNY Broome Community College

  Binghamton, New York

  Public $$

  SUNY Broome Community College, a leader in online education in New York, encourages new experiences with online coursework and stays ready to help students succeed. The college’s online programs allow students to further their education at a pace and schedule that works for their personal and professional commitments. It also offers blended programs that combine elements of both on-campus and online learning. There are a wide variety of undergraduate programs available through Blackboard along with six instructional methods: Distance Learning Asynch, Distance Learning Asynch Proctored, Distance Learning Asynch (Blended), Distance Learning Blended Proctored, Distance Learning Synch, and Distance Learning Synch Proctored.

  Program Highlights:

  Health Studies: AAS

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: Varies
  • Cost: $220-$440/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Histological Technician: AAS

  • Credits: 62-64
  • Length: Varies
  • Cost: $220-$440/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Sports Management: AS

  • Credits: 63
  • Length: Varies
  • Cost: $220-$440/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 5

  Columbia-Greene Community College

  Hudson, New York

  Public $

  Columbia-Greene Community College offers a fully online Business AAS program designed to prepare students for employment or advancement in their careers in business or the public sector. Students must show proficiency in online classwork and successful completion of a required internship experience, both of which are remotely administered with electronic log and status report submissions. Graduates are prepared to apply management and marketing principles, use software applications, demonstrate proficiency in introductory accounting, and more.

  Program Highlights:

  Business AAS

  • Credits: 61
  • Length: 4 semesters
  • Cost: $213-$425/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 6

  Niagara County Community College

  Sanborn, New York

  Public $

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 7

  Jefferson Community College

  Watertown, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 8

  SUNY Corning Community College

  Corning, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 9

  Monroe Community College

  Rochester, New York

  Public $

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 10

  Ulster County Community College

  Stone Ridge, New York

  Public $

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 11

  Sullivan County Community College

  Loch Sheldrake, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 12

  CUNY Queensborough Community College

  Bayside, New York

  Public $

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 13

  CUNY Kingsborough Community College

  Brooklyn, New York

  Public $

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  22/1

• 14

  Fulton-Montgomery Community College

  Johnstown, New York

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  3

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  22/1

How Does Online College in New York Work?

Depending on where you attend, you can choose from several different methods of online learning. Finding one that matches your learning style best is key; some students love the options provided by hybrid learning, while others can only manage fully online studies given their work schedules and family obligations. Review your options in the following sections.

Fully or Partially Online?

The availability of fully-online and hybrid/blended degrees largely depends on the subject matter, as degrees focused on building hands-on, technical skills will be more likely to include in-person elements. When looking at online learning options, note the differences between hybrid and blended programs. In blended programs, online components supplement in-person instruction. With hybrid, online elements either fully or partially replace in-person instruction.

Check out these highlights for two schools offering fully-online and hybrid/blended options to help you get a feel for what’s available through some of the best online colleges in New York.

With a Cohort or At Your Own Pace?

As you consider degrees from the best online colleges in New York, you’ll inevitably come across both synchronous and asynchronous learning formats. Synchronous programs require you to virtually attend courses at specific times each week, creating an environment where you can interact with peers and professors in real time. Conversely, asynchronous programs offer recorded lectures that you can watch at times best suited to your schedule.

Pros and cons exist with each, making it important that you weigh how these options fit with your lifestyle and learning style. We look at online colleges in New York offering both below, making it easier for you to see how each format plays out across the learning experience.

Part-Time or Full-Time?

It’s not uncommon to find accredited online colleges in New York offering both part-time and full-time enrollment options, but full-time options tend to be more common. Online colleges in New York offer both formats to expand academic access and help meet the needs of a diverse student population. While you may be able to handle a full-time class schedule, other students may find that their personal and professional responsibilities mean part-time learning works best for them.

With so many colleges and universities throughout the state, you should be able to find a school that caters to your scheduling needs. We highlight part-time and full-time options in this section to show what’s offered at some of the best online colleges in New York.

Accreditation at New York’s Online Colleges

Before deciding to attend any of the online colleges in New York, take a moment to review accreditation status. Accreditation is vital when choosing the right school, ensuring you can access federal and state financial aid and a quality curriculum that prepares you for your post-college job. Additionally, attending an accredited online college in New York can mean the difference between securing professional certifications and licensures or not.

Accreditation breaks down into two types: institutional and programmatic. At the institutional level, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits the majority of universities in the area, though you may come across a few other names. At the programmatic level, take some time to learn about the most esteemed accrediting agencies in your chosen field.

For example, if you want to study nursing, look for programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education on Nursing. Keep in mind, though, that not every subject area has a corresponding accrediting agency but most with licensing or certification requirements do (e.g., engineering, social work, education, etc.). 

The Cost of Your NY Online College Degree

The cost of earning your online college degree from a New York institution varies substantially based on whether you attend a public or private institution and how much funding you receive to lower costs. In general, public institutions tend to offer lower tuition. If you qualify for New York residency, you can also take advantage of in-state tuition that further lowers costs; this benefit extends to online learners as well.

Studying online often proves cost-effective for several reasons. In addition to avoiding campus-based housing, meal plans, and parking passes, you can often avoid other fees such as facility usage and parking. That said, you may need to pay a technology fee as an online student. To help you get a better sense of tuition costs at the best online colleges in New York, we’re highlighting five colleges that offer online programs. See how costs compare for in-state and out-of-state universities and whether there are any tuition differences between campus-based and online studies.

Financial Aid: How to Pay for Online College

College requires a significant investment of time and money. Finding ways to cut costs and alleviate the financial burden of earning a degree is on the minds of nearly every college student—and their families. Fortunately, if you attend one of the many online colleges in New York, you may qualify for a scholarship, grant, work-study job, or other type of financial aid. 

The New York State government provides a wide spectrum of awards designed to support you whether attending a public or private university on a full- or part-time basis. For instance, the Excelsior Scholarship covers tuition for SUNY or CUNY learners whose families earned $125,000 or less during the previous tax year. Individual colleges and universities also provide awards based on merit and/or financial need. At New York University, you can select from a range of scholarships for both incoming and current students. Individual academic departments may also provide scholarships or grants if you’re studying a particular subject area.

Hot College-Level Careers in New York

Before settling on a major at your online college in New York, you may want to read up on jobs in the state that are trending in the right direction. The jobs we highlight below are the fastest-growing jobs in New York and are sure to need lots of professionals to fill them in the coming years. As you’ll see, these jobs cover a wide spectrum of fields and interests.

Additional Resources for Online College Students