Colleges in New York
Why go to College in New York?
New York is a diverse state with a range of environments, including remote mountain areas in the Adirondacks, the beaches of Long Island, and the largest city in the country. Public four-year tuition in the state is several thousand dollars below the national average, and the average median wage is significantly higher. Industries in New York feature finance and healthcare, and the unemployment rate is similar to the average across the U.S. With over 630 public and private colleges and universities, students looking for both on-campus and online schools in NY will find a number of options that fit their educational needs.
What Options are Available for Colleges in New York?
On-Campus
Students interested in interacting with classmates, getting involved in student activities, and going to classes in-person should consider attending a traditional, on-campus college in New York. Some students find it easier to remain on top of their schoolwork by attending weekly classes, as they are constantly reminded of upcoming assignments. Additionally, many learners prefer to listen to lectures in person where there are fewer distractions; this is one of the benefits of on-campus courses. However, traditional colleges may be limited in their night and weekend class choices, so students must have the availability to attend courses during weekdays.
Online Programs
Students who require more flexible course times might be better-suited for online programs. Distance learning does not require students to attend class on campus. Instead, students take classes through an online learning platform. Many courses allow students to log into class at their convenience and follow along asynchronously. Students at online schools in NY typically learn by watching lectures, videos, or PowerPoint presentations. Depending on the format, they complete readings, respond to questions from their professor, and conduct group projects. Participation in online discussions is often monitored and there may be weekly assignments.
Students who are organized and self-motivated often do well in online environments. While online faculty have office hours and are available to answer questions, interactions with professors and classmates at online colleges in New York differ significantly from those in traditional, on-campus courses. One of the other big benefits of online programs is the chance to enroll in courses anywhere in the world; students are not limited to the colleges in their immediate area.
Hybrid Programs
While online programs don't require students to attend classes on campus, hybrid programs require both online and on-campus participation. There are many different styles of hybrid programming. For example, a hybrid business program might be primarily online but require one or two on-campus classes, while a medically-oriented hybrid program might require most courses and labs to be completed on campus and feature only a few online courses.
The on-campus courses in a hybrid program may also be formatted differently. While some hybrid programs might require students to complete regular semester courses on campus, others might offer summer or January intensives that can be completed in just a week or two. Hybrid programs may also require students to come to campus on the weekends.
Popular Degree Programs in New York
The most popular majors in each state vary considerably and are usually related to popular local industries. Because New York is a visual and performing arts mecca, the corresponding degree program is one of the most popular in the state. Additionally, with one of the largest populations in the country and a proportionally large healthcare industry, psychology is New York's most popular degree.
Visual and Performing Arts With the large number of major visual and performing arts organizations in New York, this major is the most disproportionately popular degree in the state. Visual artists focus on subjects such as painting, ceramics, fashion, or photography, and performing artists tend to focus on theater, dance, or music.
Psychology The most commonly held degree in the state is psychology. With almost 20 million residents, healthcare is one of the biggest industries in New York. Several of the largest employers in the state are healthcare providers. The healthcare sector includes state hospitals and services for the elderly. Many of New York's colleges and universities, including SUNY and CUNY institutions, offer this popular major. It is also offered by several online colleges in New York.
Source: Business Insider
What are the Best Online Colleges in New York?
Colleges are not one-size-fits-all; every student has different educational needs and goals. There are many online colleges in NY, each offering various degrees at different price points. As a result, the search process can feel overwhelming, especially as the number of colleges and universities offering online and hybrid programs continues to increase. This resource helps students learn more about the online colleges in NY that best align with their needs and preferences.
Top 20 Colleges in New York for 2019
Admissions Rate
41%
Graduation Rate
68%
Online Enrollment
7%
Retention Rate
90%
Default Rate
5%
Offering innovative programs and plentiful opportunities for learners to expand their horizons, Stony Brook University is an educational institution where students learn by doing. Located in Stony Brook (60 miles east of New York City), the school offers a variety of programs that feature courses that students can complete online. SBU conducts its electrical engineering online bachelor's degree entirely online and its nursing degree 50% online (with residency and other lab requirements).
With asynchronous course scheduling, and both on campus and off campus support from SBU faculty and staff, the school's programs provide an academically rigorous education while giving students the flexibility that many of today's learners need. SBU's nursing program consists of a two year degree. The school tailors the program for learners with an associate degree. SBU's many positives rank it as one of the very best online schools in New York.
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What are the Best Online Community Colleges in New York?
There are several differences between a community college and a university. While online schools in NY include both types of institutions, students typically earn different degrees at each type of school. At community colleges, students work to earn associate degrees (e.g., an associate of science or an associate of arts) or technical certification. Alternatively, at a university, students pursue bachelor's degrees, which usually require twice as many credits as an associate degree. Community colleges often charge lower tuition rates than universities. As a result, many students attend community college to earn credits that can be transferred to a university. Students can use this resource to find the online community colleges in New York that best fit their educational needs.
Top Online Community Colleges in New York for 2019
Graduation Rate
36%
Online Enrollment
23%
Retention Rate
61%
Default Rate
17%
Based in the city of the same name on a 500-acre campus, Herkimer College counts itself as a member of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Among the many online community colleges in New York, Herkimer provides some of the best variety, offering 19 associate degree tracks in criminal justice and law, healthcare and service, STEM, liberal arts and sciences, and business. Noteworthy programs include small business management, ecotourism and adventure travel, and health services management technology.
Catering to working professionals, Herkimer delivers all online coursework asynchronously and provides distance students with support services that include academic advising, tutoring, technical support, library access, and disabilities assistance. Herkimer accepts transfer credits on a case-by-case basis, but students pursuing an associate degree must complete at least 30 credits at Herkimer.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in New York
New York state spends more money per full-time student than the country's average, although the percentage of tax revenue allocated to higher education is below the national average. The population of New York state also holds a slightly higher percentage of associate and bachelor's degrees than the U.S. average. The largest educational discrepancy between the state and the country is in graduate education; 14.8% of New York adults have a graduate degree or higher, which is much higher than the national average (11.2%).
| New York | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $8,830 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 3.5% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 8.5% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 19.4% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 14.8% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in New York
Whether you are considering a program at an on-campus or online school in New York, the price is likely to factor into your final decision. It's important to weigh scholarships and financial aid against the total cost of tuition; this difference is usually made up with loans that must be repaid. While two-year tuition in New York is above the United States average, public four-year tuition is lower by several thousand dollars.
Tuition Prices
Tuition tends to be the largest factor that affects the price of higher education, although many other variables should also be considered. These include rent, transportation, books, and class or campus fees.
Financial Aid
All students applying to on-campus and online colleges in NY should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine how much federal financial aid a student qualifies for, and it is also used by some colleges to determine whether or not learners are eligible for need-based scholarships. Many scholarships are awarded by colleges and universities, but private entities also offer scholarships to qualified applicants.
Some aid, including scholarships and grants, does not have to be repaid, while loans must be paid back after college. Because of this, students should always accept scholarships and grants first. If you're planning to live on or near campus, another financial aid option is work study. Work study programs assign students jobs on campus to help them earn extra money.
Cost for Online Programs in New York
Similar to on-campus programs, scholarships, loans, and grants can all be applied to online schools in New York; therefore, online students should always make sure to complete the FAFSA. Online programs at private colleges tend to cost the same amount as on-campus programs. Alternatively, while some public colleges charge the same tuition rates for all online students, some charge different rates based on a student's state of residency.
Online programs allow students to save money on transportation because there is no need to commute to campus. Additionally, some online programs allow students to use online resources instead of purchasing books. Furthermore, while on-campus students may have to pay student activity and other campus-related fees, these are usually waived for distance learners.
Cost of Living by Region
The cost of living fluctuates significantly across the state of New York. New York City is an incredibly expensive place, especially when compared with other cities in the state like Buffalo and Rochester. This increased cost of living means that rent, food, and entertainment are all likely to be higher. Living costs should be considered when thinking about the total cost of an education. Below, the rent and home prices in three New York cities are compared to other cities across the country.
Scholarships for New York College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
Many scholarships and grants have specific requirements, especially those that are offered by private foundations dedicated to certain interests. These requirements might mean maintaining a minimum GPA, enrolling in a specific major, or having certain career aspirations. Most scholarships can be used for both on-campus and online academic programs. However, it is always important to check with each scholarship directly to ensure that it applies to your learning style of choice (e.g., whether you plan to attend a residential or online college in New York).
Employment Outlook in New York
The unemployment rate in the state of New York is similar to the national average, while the annual median wage is much higher. Graduates looking for employment opportunities have a number of options in New York. The largest industries in the state by GDP growth are financial services, driven by the stock exchange's location in New York City; healthcare, driven by the state's large population; and professional and technical services, which are composed of a number of professionals. The largest employers in the state are the SUNY education system and healthcare systems.
| New York | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 4.8% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $58,910 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in New York
Top Industries in New York
Financial Services: The financial centers of New York City are dominant drivers of GDP growth in the state. There are over 330,000 financial service workers in New York, with 90% of these jobs located in New York City.
Healthcare: The state's large population of nearly 20 million residents drives its sizeable healthcare industry, which includes hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and care for the elderly. High job growth is anticipated in this area. 1.2 million workers in the state fill healthcare-related jobs.
Professional and Technical Services: This area contains many different professionals, including lawyers, accountants, architects, and advertisers. This industry has grown faster than the overall average in the state.
Top Employers in New York
State University of New York: 90,033 employees
Northwell Health (formerly North Shore – Long Island Jewish Health System): 61,000 employees
Mount Sinai Health System: 38,000 employees
Accreditation for Colleges in New York
Colleges and universities can be regionally or nationally accredited. Additionally, specific programs or majors can be programmatically accredited. Regional accreditation in the U.S. is awarded by one of six agencies based on a school's location. On-campus and online colleges in NY both receive accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Colleges can also be nationally accredited. National accreditors often focus on colleges related to a certain career. Additionally, the New York State Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education is a national accreditor for 16 institutions in New York that have various specialties, such as health professions, seminary, and art. All students, whether they plan to attend school online or on campus, should ensure that their college of choice is accredited.
Both regional and national accreditors must be recognized by the Department of Education (DOE); only students who attend accredited schools are eligible to receive federal financial aid. Regional accreditation tends to be more standardized and prestigious; it is often easier to transfer credits from a regionally-accredited college. Students considering a graduate program should keep in mind that some master's programs require that students have a regionally-accredited college degree.
Resources for Students in New York
Directory of College and University Campuses in New York State: Students can use this resource to search for colleges that fall into several categories, including the State University of New York system, City University of New York system, independent schools, and proprietary institutions. Links are offered for each school to provide further information.
Apply for TAP: New York State's Tuition Assistance Program can provide students with over $5,000 per year in tuition assistance at certain approved colleges. Students can use this site to apply for TAP, determine their eligibility, and estimate their award.
Higher Education Services Corporation: This website offers information about paying for college and applying to college, as well as a checklist for students based on their class year. Online chat options are available for students seeking additional assistance.
HESC Financial Aid Comparison Tool: Students can use the financial aid award comparison tool to compare different college aid award letters. Students enter their scholarship information, federal loan information, and a college's cost of attendance to determine the final cost.
HESC Repay Your Loans: Loans are a big part of most people's higher education journey. As such, this website aims to help students who are about to graduate or who are already in loan repayment deal with their debt. There is also a loan repayment advisor who can help students create a repayment action plan.
NYC Department of Education, College and Career Support: Students, parents, and families can find guidance related to high school graduation requirements, occupations, and College Now, which is a free dual-enrollment program run by the 17 CUNY colleges.
CUNY Requirements for New York State Aid: Students interested in attending a CUNY college will find this website helpful. It lists the requirements and conditions that a student must fulfill to be eligible for New York state aid.