Best Online Colleges in New York of 2025
New York hosts many excellent colleges and universities, including two Ivy League schools. Discover the Empire State’s best online colleges of 2025.
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New York, the Empire State, has plenty of great online colleges to choose from. Topping our best list are SUNY Polytechnic Institute, St. Joseph’s University, New York, and Molloy College.
You can also check out The New School and SUNY College at Oswego to find quality online programs.
On this page, we highlight the best online colleges in New York and provide tuition and career data to help you make the right decision about your education.
College Highlights
- In-state students at public New York universities paid around $34,300 for four-year degrees in the 2022-2023 school year, while out-of-state students paid around $82,500.
- Online bachelor’s programs take around four years to complete, requiring around 120 credits to graduate.
- Our 2024 Online Education Trends Report found that 93% of all students say their online degree has or will have a positive ROI.
- The majority (97%) of prospective online students, currently enrolled online students, and online program graduates would recommend online education to others.
- Over 80% of student respondents say that online is better than or equal to on-campus learning.
Source: BestColleges
2025 Best Online Colleges in New York
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
2025- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$7,070
$17,830
82%
78%
Why We Chose This School
While its campus is in Utica, New York, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates can join a network of over 27,000 alumni. SUNY Polytechnic has 2,200 students, an average class size of 18, and students from 15 countries represented.
At SUNY Polytechnic, you can earn your bachelor’s degree online in accounting, business administration, finance, health information management, and nursing, as well as an MBA or MS degree. SUNY Polytechnic also offers hybrid learning options — a mix of face-to-face learning and online classes.
Pros
- Affordable, good value for cost
- World-renowned faculty and facilities
- Low student-to-faculty ratio
Cons
- Limited online programs
$11,310
$23,100
79%
5,605
Public
Yes
$7,070
$17,830
Utica, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$7,070
$17,830
82%
78%
$11,310
$23,100
79%
5,605
Public
Yes
Why We Chose This School
While its campus is in Utica, New York, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates can join a network of over 27,000 alumni. SUNY Polytechnic has 2,200 students, an average class size of 18, and students from 15 countries represented.
At SUNY Polytechnic, you can earn your bachelor’s degree online in accounting, business administration, finance, health information management, and nursing, as well as an MBA or MS degree. SUNY Polytechnic also offers hybrid learning options — a mix of face-to-face learning and online classes.
Pros
- Affordable, good value for cost
- World-renowned faculty and facilities
- Low student-to-faculty ratio
Cons
- Limited online programs
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$34,550
$34,550
77%
59%
Why We Chose This School
Molloy University, a private Catholic college that became a university in 2022, has a strong student retention rate of 85%. The school also reports that 98% of its first-year students receive financial aid. Molloy makes online learning particularly affordable with a generous credit for prior learning policy and reduced tuition.
Students can pursue online bachelor’s degrees in health service leadership, interdisciplinary studies, and nursing. Molloy has online graduate programs in business, education, finance, and healthcare. It offers blended programs as well, providing a mix of in-person and online classes.
Pros
- Student Counseling Center offers telehealth services
- Participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
- Online learning specialists
Cons
- Students pay in-person tuition rates for hybrid courses
- 63% of students receive federal student loans
$23,760
$23,760
85%
4,807
Private
Yes
$34,550
$34,550
Rockville Centre, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$34,550
$34,550
77%
59%
$23,760
$23,760
85%
4,807
Private
Yes
Why We Chose This School
Molloy University, a private Catholic college that became a university in 2022, has a strong student retention rate of 85%. The school also reports that 98% of its first-year students receive financial aid. Molloy makes online learning particularly affordable with a generous credit for prior learning policy and reduced tuition.
Students can pursue online bachelor’s degrees in health service leadership, interdisciplinary studies, and nursing. Molloy has online graduate programs in business, education, finance, and healthcare. It offers blended programs as well, providing a mix of in-person and online classes.
Pros
- Student Counseling Center offers telehealth services
- Participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
- Online learning specialists
Cons
- Students pay in-person tuition rates for hybrid courses
- 63% of students receive federal student loans
St. Joseph's University-New York
Brooklyn, NY2 yearCampus + Online
$31,760
$31,760
74%
54%
Why We Chose This School
St. Joseph’s University New York has campuses in Brooklyn and Long Island in addition to its online offerings. The university has a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, with 3,531 undergraduate students. While it considers SAT and ACT scores in admissions, it does not require them.
At St. Joseph’s, you can get your bachelor’s degree online in criminal justice, health administration, human resources, or psychology. If you’re looking for an advanced degree, you can pursue your MBA or MS. You can also get graduate or undergraduate certificates as well.
Pros
- Strong retention and graduation rates
- Transfer and experiential credit accepted
Cons
- 52% receive federal student loans
- 21% of students transfer, and 12% withdraw
$21,456
$21,456
78%
1,046
Private
Yes
$31,760
$31,760
Brooklyn, NY2 yearCampus + Online
$31,760
$31,760
74%
54%
$21,456
$21,456
78%
1,046
Private
Yes
Why We Chose This School
St. Joseph’s University New York has campuses in Brooklyn and Long Island in addition to its online offerings. The university has a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, with 3,531 undergraduate students. While it considers SAT and ACT scores in admissions, it does not require them.
At St. Joseph’s, you can get your bachelor’s degree online in criminal justice, health administration, human resources, or psychology. If you’re looking for an advanced degree, you can pursue your MBA or MS. You can also get graduate or undergraduate certificates as well.
Pros
- Strong retention and graduation rates
- Transfer and experiential credit accepted
Cons
- 52% receive federal student loans
- 21% of students transfer, and 12% withdraw
State University of New York at Oswego
Oswego, NY2 yearCampus + Online
$7,070
$16,980
80%
51%
Why We Chose This School
State University of New York at Oswego is affordable and has a number of online offerings from a bachelor’s degree in business to a master’s degree in education. With a 60% graduation rate and a 70% retention rate, a majority of its 5,957 undergraduates successfully finish their studies there.
It has an average annual cost of $16,281, which is lower than the midpoint of most four-year schools. Over $9 million in scholarships and awards have been given out, and 89% of students receive financial aid.
SUNY Oswego offers over 70 undergraduate majors, 70 undergraduate minors, and over 40 graduate programs. You can enroll in an online bachelor’s program in communication, business, criminal justice, or health. At SUNY Oswego, you can complete an online master’s program in healthcare, education, business, or communication.
Pros
- Online courses offered in regular rotation
- Variety of online offerings and microcredentials
Cons
- 55% four-year completion rate for low-income students
- 25% of students end up transferring
$11,310
$23,100
70%
6,756
Public
Yes
$7,070
$16,980
Oswego, NY2 yearCampus + Online
$7,070
$16,980
80%
51%
$11,310
$23,100
70%
6,756
Public
Yes
Why We Chose This School
State University of New York at Oswego is affordable and has a number of online offerings from a bachelor’s degree in business to a master’s degree in education. With a 60% graduation rate and a 70% retention rate, a majority of its 5,957 undergraduates successfully finish their studies there.
It has an average annual cost of $16,281, which is lower than the midpoint of most four-year schools. Over $9 million in scholarships and awards have been given out, and 89% of students receive financial aid.
SUNY Oswego offers over 70 undergraduate majors, 70 undergraduate minors, and over 40 graduate programs. You can enroll in an online bachelor’s program in communication, business, criminal justice, or health. At SUNY Oswego, you can complete an online master’s program in healthcare, education, business, or communication.
Pros
- Online courses offered in regular rotation
- Variety of online offerings and microcredentials
Cons
- 55% four-year completion rate for low-income students
- 25% of students end up transferring
The New School
New York, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$53,105
$53,105
57%
40%
Why We Chose This School
Known for its cutting-edge research and social progress work, The New School has had over 45 graduates named to the Forbes 40 Under 40 list since its inception. It’s one of the best schools for art and design programs, and is noted for its high salary potential for art and design students. The school has a 60% four-year completion rate for medium income students and 57% four-year completion rate for low-income students.
The New School offers six online bachelor’s and master’s degrees and over 20 online certificate programs that allow students to have the opportunity to engage with a close-knit, global community while participating in a flexible, self-paced program. This includes master’s programs in management, design, and media.
Pros
- Innovative research
- Prestigious reputation
Cons
- Selective
- High annual cost
$49,966
$49,966
83%
10,108
Private
Yes
$53,105
$53,105
New York, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$53,105
$53,105
57%
40%
$49,966
$49,966
83%
10,108
Private
Yes
Why We Chose This School
Known for its cutting-edge research and social progress work, The New School has had over 45 graduates named to the Forbes 40 Under 40 list since its inception. It’s one of the best schools for art and design programs, and is noted for its high salary potential for art and design students. The school has a 60% four-year completion rate for medium income students and 57% four-year completion rate for low-income students.
The New School offers six online bachelor’s and master’s degrees and over 20 online certificate programs that allow students to have the opportunity to engage with a close-knit, global community while participating in a flexible, self-paced program. This includes master’s programs in management, design, and media.
Pros
- Innovative research
- Prestigious reputation
Cons
- Selective
- High annual cost
Why You Should Get a Degree in New York
Academic excellence: New York hosts two Ivy League schools — Columbia University and Cornell University — as well as many other highly regarded colleges and universities. - Career preparation: A bachelor’s program can prepare you for a career in multiple industries in New York’s diverse economy.
- Cultural diversity: Schools like New York University have diverse student bodies and can expose you to a variety of different cultural perspectives.
- Decrease your unemployment rate: You’ll see lower unemployment rates with a bachelor’s degree than you would without one, and New York’s wages are higher than average.
Benefits of Getting a Degree in New York Online
- Nearly all (97%) online college students and program graduates say they would recommend online education to others.
- Of these students, 93% say they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
- 73% of these students say their education prepared or will prepare them for their first job after graduation well, very well, or extremely well.
How to Choose the Best College For You
While you research colleges and universities, it’s important to consider the cost, accreditation, and potential careers you can pursue in New York after you graduate. Taking these factors into consideration will ensure that you enroll in the program that best suits you.
How Much Does a Degree Cost in New York?
Avg. Tuition & Fees (2022-2023)
Public, In-State
$8,575
Public, Out-of-State
$20,637
Private
$46,280
Source: NCES
In the 2022-2023 school year, in-state students at public New York universities paid around $34,300 for four-year degrees, while out-of-state students paid around $82,500.
Students in private institutions paid around $185,000 for their four-year degrees.
You can see that in-state tuition can cost much less than out-of-state tuition. Financial aid, including scholarships and grants, can cut down these costs.
Apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year you’re in school to get financial aid.
Find Financial Aid for Your Degree
College Accreditation
Before you apply to any online colleges in New York, search the school’s website to find out if it’s accredited.
College accreditation ensures the college you attend has the resources and qualifications to give you a high quality education, one employers will respect. Accreditation lets you know your school is legitimate so you can transfer credits and access financial aid.
While programmatic accreditation is necessary for professional pathways and career-focused programs such as healthcare, engineering, nursing, and law, it is not necessary for general degrees.
High-Paying Careers in New York
In the table below, you’ll find several high-paying jobs in New York. Even the lowest-paying role, financial analyst, pays over $150,000 in the Big Apple.
The highest-paying role is chief executive, which pays nearly $325,000 per year and is growing at 6%. The fastest-growing jobs are software developers (18%) and financial managers (17%).
Physicians (4%), lawyers (5%), and dentists (5%) are the slowest growing professions, although they pay well: between $158,130 and $227,910 per year.
| Job | Mean Annual Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager | $244,250 | 17% |
| Chief Executive | $343,030 | 6% |
| Physician | $255,300 | 4% |
| Lawyer | $208,080 | 5% |
| Marketing Manager | $232,450 | 8% |
| Training and Development Manager | $176,790 | 7% |
| Human Resources Manager | $192,040 | 6% |
| Financial Analyst | $147,260 | 10% |
| Dentists, General | $185,590 | 5% |
| Software Developer | $159,990 | 18% |
Is Attending College in New York Worth It?
While weighing the costs and benefits of enrolling in an online college in New York, you should consider factors like cost, program length, and return on investment (ROI).
Almost all (97%) of online bachelor’s students and graduates in our survey say they would recommend online education to others.
One benefit is that a bachelor’s degree can lead to roles with higher earnings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a bachelor’s degree holder in 2023 was over $500 more per week than for someone with only a high school diploma.
You will, however, have less access to professors and classmates in an online program than you would in an on-campus program.
So carefully consider all factors to ensure you’ve chosen the program that’s best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in New York
Our ranking data shows that SUNY Polytechnic Institute is the best online college in New York. This school ranked number one among the best online colleges in New York, and offers an abundance of online courses and programs.
Keep in mind, however, that “best” can depend on various factors, including your personal needs and preferences. So consider the cost, flexibility, program offerings, and support services each school offers to online students.
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