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Top 15 Affordable Online Colleges in NYC

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 California have been selected based on their tuition price, student population size, and program variety.

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Ranking the Best Online Colleges in NYC

#1. CUNY School of Professional Studies

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CUNY School of Professional Studies is located in a public college located in Midtown Manhattan. A great online college in New York City, CUNY School of Professional Studies was founded in 2003.

Students at CUNY School of Professional Studies can choose from a number of great online degree programs. CUNY School of Professional Studies offers students entirely online bachelor’s degrees in business, communication, nursing, sociology, and many other topics. Online master’s degrees in business management, data analytics, psychology, and more are also offered by the CUNY School of Professional Studies. Tuition rates at CUNY School of Professional Studies are very low, helping the school to rank among the best online colleges in NYC.

Accreditation: CUNY School of Professional Studies is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#2. CUNY Lehman College

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Established in 1931, CUNY Lehman College was originally the Bronx campus of Hunter College. Still located in The Bronx, CUNY Lehman College is a City University of New York System member and enrolls just under 15,000 students.

CUNY Lehman College offers students a number of great online degree options. Students at CUNY Lehman College can choose from a focused selection of online degree programs. These online degree programs include an online RN-BSN and an online Master of Business Administration degree, an online Master in Health Education, and an online Master in Organizational Leadership degree. These programs are also offered with a very affordable tuition rate per credit. CUNY Lehman College ranks among the top online NYC colleges due to its commitment to offering great online degrees at an affordable price.

Accreditation: CUNY Lehman College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#3. CUNY John Jay College

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Located in New York City, CUNY John Jay College is a public college founded in 1964. Since its founding, CUNY John Jay College has focused primarily on offering criminal justice and criminal justice-related degree programs. Currently, CUNY John Jay College enrolls a student body of just over 15,000 students.

CUNY John Jay College offers several online degrees through its John Jay Online program. The John Jay Online platform offers undergraduate and graduate-level online degree programs for students to enroll in. These programs are based on their on-campus counterparts and are offered to students at a very affordable tuition rate. These online degrees from CUNY John Jay College focus primarily on criminal justice-related programs, such as a Bachelor of Science in Security Management, a Master of Science in Emergency Management, and many other online degree programs.

Accreditation: CUNY John Jay College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#4. Touro College

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A private college located in New York City, Touro College is a Touro College and University System member. A Jewish college, Touro College has grown over the years to be one of the top affordable online colleges in NYC. A total of almost 11,000 students are enrolled at Touro College.

Students at Touro College can enroll in some online degree programs offered to them. These degree programs are made available entirely online. The tuition rate at Touro College is very affordable, helping the school to rank among the top online colleges in New York City. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered to students at Touro College through the school’s Touro University Worldwide platform. These online degrees are based on on-campus degrees but offer students a greater deal of flexibility when it comes to their class scheduling.

Accreditation: Touro College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#5. Mercy College

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Mercy College is a private university located in Dobbs Ferry, New York, with campuses in Manhattan and The Bronx. Founded in 1950, Mercy College extended its additional campuses into Manhattan and The Bronx in the 1960s. A total of over 11,200 students are enrolled at Mercy College.

Mercy College students are offered a selection of online degree programs to choose from. These online degrees include over thirty different undergraduate, graduate, and certification programs. Students enrolled in these online degree programs will have access to an affordable tuition rate. Online degrees offered by Mercy College have primarily asynchronous components. Certain online degrees offered by Mercy College require students to visit one of the Mercy College campuses for part of the program.

Accreditation: Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#6. St. Joseph’s College

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Established in 1916, St. Joseph’s College is located in Brooklyn. A private university, St. Joseph’s College of New York was founded in association with the Catholic Church. Since its founding, St. Joseph’s College of New York has grown to enroll a student body of just under 5,000 students.

Online degrees offered by St. Joseph’s College of New York meet the same rigorous academic standards as their on-campus counterparts. Students enrolling in St. Joseph’s College of New York for online degrees can select from a catalog of a dozen different academic subjects. Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered to students at St. Joseph’s College of New York. As part of our ranking of the top accredited online colleges in NYC, St. Joseph’s College of New York offers a wide selection of online degree programs at an affordable tuition rate.

Accreditation: St. Joseph’s College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#7. Concordia College in New York

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Concordia College is located in Bronxville, a suburb of Manhattan. Established in 1881, Concordia College has been providing New Yorkers with high-quality educations for nearly 150 years. The school is now home to a student body of just under 3,000 students.

Students at Concordia College in New York can choose from many online degrees. These online degrees are modeled after their on-campus counterparts and offer the same level of academic rigor. These degrees include both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Online degrees offered by Concordia College can be completed entirely online, although some will require visits to the Concordia College New York Campus to complete in their entirety.

Accreditation: Concordia College in New York is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#8. Pace University

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Pace University is located in New York City. A private university, Pace University was first founded in 1906. Originally a business school, Pace University has grown into a full-fledged university enrolling over 13,000 students.

Online students enrolling at Pace University can select from the school’s large catalog of online degree programs. Pace University currently offers nine different online undergraduate degrees as well as twenty online graduate programs. These programs cover topics including business administration, cybersecurity, accounting, finance, and much more. Online degrees at Pace University are offered entirely online, helping the school to rank among the top accredited online colleges in NYC.

Accreditation: Pace University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#9. St. John’s University

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St John’s University was founded in 1870. Located in New York City, St. John’s University is a Catholic university founded in partnership with the Congregation of the Mission. The school currently boasts a student population of over 21,000 students.

Students at St. John’s University have access to many different online degree programs. These programs are offered to students entirely online and do not require any visits to the St. John’s University campus to complete. St. John’s University students can select from several undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Tuition rates at St. John’s University are offered at an affordable rate. St. John’s University has ranked among the top accredited online colleges in NYC due to its program selection and commitment to online education.

Accreditation: St. John’s University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#10. New York University

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A private research university, New York University was first founded in 1831. One of the oldest universities in the city, New York University has become one of the most prestigious. Currently, New York University enrolls a student body of just shy of 52,000 students.

New York University offers a robust offering of online degree programs. Students enrolled in New York University online can select a few dozen different undergraduate, graduate, and certification programs that are all offered entirely online. These online degrees are modeled after their on-campus counterparts and uphold the same level of academic rigor. New York University students are given access to an affordable tuition rate. This commitment to being one of the top accredited online colleges in NYC has helped New York University earn its place.

Accreditation: New York University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#11. The New School

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The New School is located in Manhattan and was founded in 1919. Since its founding, the New School has grown to become one of the top liberal arts schools in the nation. Currently, The New School enrolls a student body of just over 10,000 students.

Online students at The New School can select from a focused selection of online degree programs. These online degrees focus heavily on providing students with access to online degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level in the arts. The New School offers students a reasonable tuition rate. By enrolling in courses online at The New School, students can advance their education in the arts. This commitment to online education has helped The New School rank among the top affordable online colleges in NYC.

Accreditation: The New School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#12. Fordham University

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A private university, Fordham University was first established in 1841. Located in the Bronx, Fordham University is one of the oldest Catholic universities in the United States. Today, Fordham University enrolls a student population of just over 16,000 students.

Online degrees at Fordham University are a fantastic option for students looking for an affordable and flexible way to earn a higher education. Students at Fordham University can choose from a total of six fully online degrees. Many other degrees at Fordham University are offered in a hybrid format, with some of the courses being offered online. The online offerings at Fordham University are primarily graduate-level degree programs. Fordham University has ranked among the top accredited online colleges in NYC for its quality selection of affordable online degrees.

Accreditation: Fordham University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#13. Columbia University

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Columbia University is a private university located in Manhattan. Established in 1754, Columbia University is a prestigious Ivy League institution. One of the oldest universities in the city, Columbia University has become an integral part of New York City education. Today, Columbia University enrolls a total of 33,000 students.

Students at Columbia University can choose from a robust selection of online degree programs. These online degree programs are held to the same academic standards and rigor as the on-campus Columbia University degree programs. Columbia University offers its online students undergraduate, graduate, and certification programs to choose from. Some of these programs can be completed entirely online, while others are offered in a hybrid format. Columbia University’s tuition rates are affordable, helping Columbia University to earn its place among the top affordable online colleges in NYC.

Accreditation: Columbia University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#14. Metropolitan College of New York

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Established in 1964, Metropolitan College of New York is a private university located in New York City. Originally founded by Audrey Cohen as a school for human services, the school has since grown to become one of the top schools in the city.

Metropolitan College of New York offers students a limited selection of online degree programs. These programs are modeled after the programs offered on-campus. Students at Metropolitan College of New York can enroll in quality online degree programs offered at an affordable tuition rate. By offering online degrees at affordable tuition, Metropolitan College of New York has earned its ranking among the top online universities and colleges in New York City. These programs are also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, ensuring the quality of your academic experience.

Accreditation: Metropolitan College of New York is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#15. Vaughn College

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Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology is a private college located in Queens, New York. Established in 1932, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology provided students with engineering and aviation-related education for nearly a century. Currently, a total of over 1,400 students are enrolled at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.

Students enrolling at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology can choose from a focused selection of online degree programs. Focusing primarily on aviation and engineering offerings, students at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology can enroll in an online degree in aviation maintenance and an online degree in airport management. Both of these degrees are offered to students online, and both of these degrees are offered as an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree. Students can also earn certificates in these topics. Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology offers these degrees affordable tuition rates, helping cement their place as a top online college in NYC.

Accreditation: Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

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This concludes our ranking of top online colleges in NYC.

NPCO Staff