The Best Online Colleges in New York

Originally a seminary founded by the Wesleyan Methodist Connection in 1883, Houghton College has a Christ-centered educational mission. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSCHE), Houghton College occupies campuses throughout New York and provides extensive online programs, making it one of the best online colleges in New York.

Alongside online courses for high school students, Houghton College offers 14 online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Learners can pursue online associate degrees in areas like Christian ministries, management, leadership development, and integrated marketing and communication.

Houghton College also offers online bachelor's degrees in integrated marketing communication, leadership development, organizational management, and human resources management. Each program comprises 124 credits of coursework. The school also offers online bachelor of arts degrees in criminal justice and psychology. Graduate students can earn online degrees in business administration, education and literacy, and music.

Applicants to Houghton College's online undergraduate programs must submit a personal statement, one letter of recommendation, and high school transcripts. Transfer students must provide documentation from all previous college coursework.

Established in 1829, the Rochester Institute of Technology houses 11 academic colleges, schools, and institutes. RIT's programs blend technology, art, and design, fostering creativity and innovation among undergraduate and graduate learners.

RIT's online programs adhere to industry standards, employer demand, and perspectives on global markets. The school offers online master's degrees in areas like business, management, and communication and media. The school also offers online bachelor's degrees in microelectronics manufacturing engineering, manufacturing leadership, and applied statistics.

RIT offers online certificates in mechatronics, organizational change and leadership, and health systems administration. Certificates require 9-18 credits of coursework. Advanced certificate options include healthcare finance, communication and digital media, and network planning and design.

Online programs offer multiple start dates throughout the year. Enrollment concierges and online orientations prepare students for online education. RIT is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Adelphi University offers over 120 undergraduate and graduate programs through eight academic schools and colleges. Home to nearly 8,000 enrollees annually, Adelphi hosts students on its main campus in Garden City, New York; at locations in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley, and Suffolk County; and online.

Adelphi's four online undergraduate degrees include a bachelor of science in nursing that incorporates online coursework and 35 clock hours of clinical work. The school's online associate of science in emergency services administration can qualify graduates to pursue a bachelor's degree in the discipline.

Adelphi's emergency services administration bachelor's program includes 120 credits of coursework on topics like principles of management, emergency services, and emergency and disaster preparedness. The degree culminates with a capstone sequence. The school's online bachelor of arts in social science prepares students for graduate study while building critical thinking, research, communication, and decision-making skills.

Applicants must submit transcripts indicating a minimum 2.0 GPA and a personal statement. Adelphi is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

One of 64 institutions within the State University of New York system, UAlbany enrolls more than 17,000 students annually. The school offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs and maintains regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

UAlbany offers a variety of online programs, including a bachelor of science in informatics that incorporates interdisciplinary coursework in technology and social sciences. Students complete core, practical application, and concentration courses in addition to research and applied learning requirements.

The integrative user experience concentration includes classes in digital design, web programming, and interactive design. Students specializing in data analytics study information storage and retrieval, machine learning, and data computation.

The information technology concentration integrates classes in human-computer interaction, information security, and programming to prepare learners for careers as computer support specialists and information technology project managers.

Additional online offerings at UAlbany include graduate programs in information science, education, and public health. UAlbany factors in high school performance, standardized test scores, and leadership and extracurricular interests when making admission decisions.

Established as a Catholic and Vincentian university in 1870, St. John's emphasizes faith, service, and excellence in its educational offerings. Home to more than 21,000 students, St. John's has four locations in New York City, with additional educational sites around the world and online.

St. John's offers online graduate programs in library and information science and literacy. The online master of science in library and information science comprises 36 credits of core, management, and elective coursework.

Core library and information science classes emphasize information sources and services, information organization, and research and evaluation methods. Learners can use electives to build specialties in areas like academic librarianship, archival studies, management for information professionals, or youth services. Additional concentrations include public librarianship and special librarianship libraries.

St. John's online doctorate in literacy integrates core, research, and specialized courses with dissertation requirements. The program offers concentrations in teaching English to speakers of other languages and general literacy.

Applicants must submit transcripts, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Candidates for doctoral programs must also submit MAT or GRE scores. St. John's maintains regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Established in 1906, Pace offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 13,000 students annually. Online programs at Pace focus on disciplines like business, communication studies, nursing, and technology studies, making it one of the top online colleges in New York.

Students can earn a bachelor of business administration online, with optional concentrations in accounting and internal auditing or marketing and management. Pace's online bachelor of science in professional communications emphasizes pragmatic communications, mass media, effective public relations, and cultural communication.

The online bachelor of science in nursing allows practicing nurses to earn a degree in as few as 18 months, while the bachelor's in technical studies provides specializations in business technology leadership and computer forensics.

Pace provides online undergraduate programs in conjunction with the National Alliance for Communication, Technology, Education, and Learning, offering employees at supported companies and organizations educational opportunities to enhance their careers.

Pace offers transfer credit for previous college coursework and life and work experience. Applicants must submit a resume and transcripts for consideration. Pace is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Founded in 1957, Stony Brook provides more than 350 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 25,500 students each year. Stony Brook's online offerings include more than 20 degree and certificate programs.

Registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing can earn an online bachelor's in nursing that emphasizes the evolving global healthcare environment, communication and leadership, and models of professional nursing and healthcare.

The online bachelor of science in electrical engineering includes upper-division coursework taught by instructors at Stony Brook, the University of Buffalo, and Binghamton University. Stony Brook also offers online master's degrees in nursing, education administration, and liberal studies.

Additional online programs include advanced graduate certificates in coaching, nutrition, and human resource management. Stony Brook also incorporates online classes into many of its on-campus programs and participates in Massive Open Online Courses, giving students access to Coursera classes that lead to certificates.

Applicants can submit materials through The Common Application, the SUNY system, or The Coalition Application. Individuals with fewer than 24 transfer credits must provide SAT or ACT scores with their application materials. Stony Brook holds regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Established in 1955, Molloy is a Catholic institution that offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs to over 5,000 enrollees each year. The school maintains regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Molloy offers several online programs, including a bachelor's degree-completion program in interdisciplinary studies that allows undergraduate students to personalize the curriculum. Learners choose two concentrations from areas such as accounting, business management, economics, and marketing. Additional concentration options include criminal justice, finance, professional communications, and psychology.

Molloy's online bachelor's degree-completion program in health service leadership is designed for students who hold an associate degree in a health-related field. Molloy's online undergraduate nursing degree is a pathway for registered nurses to earn a bachelor's degree; its 24 credits of required nursing courses include public health issues, nursing research, and nursing concepts for professional practice.

Other online baccalaureate certificate options include finance, healthcare, and marketing, and Molloyw also offers online master's degrees in the same fields. Undergraduate applicants must submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.

Founded as a seminary by the Marist Brothers in 1905, Marist remains dedicated to its founding mission to train enlightened, ethical, and productive professionals and community leaders. Today, Marist offers nonsectarian academic programs to more than 6,000 students annually.

Marist's online college offers bachelor's degrees in professional studies and management studies. Both options are degree-completion programs, designed to meet the needs of nontraditional students who have experience in professional settings.

The professional studies curriculum integrates 120 credits of core, major, and elective courses. Students can customize their majors by choosing 2-3 areas of emphasis. Potential specializations include organizational leadership, project management, communication studies, and professional administration.

Marist's online bachelor's degree in management studies explores accounting, economics, and financial management. Learners also study statistics, marketing, organizational behavior, and strategic management and policy.

Marist's online graduate degree offerings include business administration, information systems, public administration, and integrated marketing communications. The school also offers online certificates in information systems and business analytics.

Applicants to Marist's online programs must submit transcripts, a resume, and a personal essay for consideration. Marist is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

D'Youville is a Catholic institution that fosters academic, social, and spiritual development. Based in Buffalo, New York, D'Youville hosts 3,000 students through over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs every year.

D'Youville offers online bachelor's degrees, including degrees in business management and nursing. The online bachelor of science in business management comprises 120 credits, including courses in macro- and microeconomics, principles of accounting, organizational behavior, and international business. In addition to coursework, students complete a business management internship.

The 122-credit bachelor's in nursing program enhances knowledge and skills in community and clinical nursing, evidence-based practice, and nurse leadership. The program facilitates seamless entry into the school's online master's degree in nursing.

Applicants to the online bachelor's degree programs need a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants to the nursing program must reside in New York and hold an unrestricted nursing license.

Established in 1944, FIT joined the State University of New York system in 1951 and currently holds regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Hosting more than 10,000 students annually, FIT provides academic programs in diverse fields, including art history and museum management, toy design, and production management, making it one of the top online schools in New York.

FIT's online bachelor's degree in international trade and marketing is designed for students with an associate degree or at least 60 credits of previous college coursework. Courses cover topics like global marketing, import and export regulations, and global sourcing. Students also take liberal arts classes in microeconomics, mathematical modeling, and a foreign language before completing a senior internship or international trade practicum.

FIT also offers an online associate degree in fashion business management and a variety of online courses. The school also offers online general education courses and online minors in American studies, English, history, and sociology. Students can also earn an online minor in international trade and marketing or the history of art.

Initially an extension center for Syracuse University, UC became an independent institution in 1995. UC hosts more than 5,000 students every year through diverse online and on-campus programs. The school offers online bachelor's degrees in nursing, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and fraud and accounting.

The 121-credit, online bachelor of science in criminal justice allows students to specialize in criminal intelligence analysis, cyber criminology and policy, or public policy and leadership. Additional criminal justice concentrations include white-collar crime and legal issues in criminal justice.

Cybersecurity degree-seekers can focus on cyberoperations, cybercrime and fraud investigation, information assurance, or network forensics and intrusion investigation.

The bachelor's degree in accounting incorporates specializations in fraud and financial crime investigation, fraud prevention and detection, and financial investigation. UC also offers online master's degrees and certificates in criminal justice, business, management, and data science.

Applicants must submit transcripts. Transfer students need a minimum 2.5 GPA, while first-year learners need a minimum 3.0 GPA. UC is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

An educational institution affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Nyack prepares learners to serve as spiritual leaders. Founded in 1882, Nyack offers a variety of online undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Nyack's online associate degree in liberal arts and sciences examines topics like global literature, philosophy, world civilizations, and writing. The 60-credit, online associate of arts in biblical studies trains students to work as preachers and church educators.

Nyack's online organizational management bachelor's degree is a degree-completion program that students can complete in 16 months. The curriculum emphasizes organizational structure and design, motivational methods, group behavior, and leadership. Nyack also offers online graduate degrees in theology and missions, biblical studies, and childhood education.

Applicants must submit transcripts, optional ACT or SAT scores, and a pastor recommendation, and they must participate in a personal interview. Nyack holds regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Founded in 1861, Oswego offers over 110 undergraduate and graduate programs and maintains regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Oswego provides online bachelor's degree-completion programs in five disciplines. Designed for learners with associate degrees or equivalent credits, these degree-completion programs allow students to earn a bachelor's degree within two years.

The online bachelor of arts in broadcasting and mass communications covers mass media and the law, broadcasting and cable, and electronic media sales and marketing. The online bachelor's in criminal justice program prepares learners for careers in law enforcement, court administration, juvenile justice, and federal government.

Additional online degree-completion program options include a bachelor of arts in public relations and bachelor of science degrees in business administration and wellness management.

Oswego also offers online master's degrees in career and technical education, health services administration, biomedical and health informatics, and strategic communication. The school's online certificates provide opportunities for career advancement in fields like behavioral forensics, integrated health systems, and health and wellness.

Affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, Roberts began as a seminary in 1866. Today, the institution offers nearly 80 academic programs designed to train thoughtful, spiritually mature, service-oriented community and professional leaders.

Roberts' online programs include degrees in business, health administration, nursing, and teacher education. The online organizational management bachelor's degree includes required classes in organizational behavior, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Learners can optionally add a specialization in corporate security management.

The online bachelor's in health administration comprises 37 credits of major coursework that learners can complete in 15 months. Students can earn online master's degrees in areas like divinity, education, transformational leadership, and theological studies. The school also offers online bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing programs.

Roberts' online programs offer exam-free curricula, with textbooks included in the cost of tuition. Applicants must complete admission tests for consideration.

The largest institution within the State University of New York system, UB opened its doors in 1846. Now home to more than 400 undergraduate and graduate programs, UB enrolls nearly 32,000 students annually at its three Buffalo, New York, campuses and online.

UB's online undergraduate programs include minors in counseling, education, education leadership and policy for equity, and information studies. The counseling minor is a pre-professional sequence of courses designed to facilitate entry into the counseling field.

UB's online education minor trains students for careers in teaching, while the online minor in educational leadership and policy for equity emphasizes cultural, economic, and sociopolitical issues in education. The information studies minor enhances digital literacy, focusing on information management, policy, and security.

Graduate students can earn online master of education degrees in literacy, mathematics, music, and science. Additional online master's degrees in information and library science, rehabilitation counseling, and school librarianship accompany online certificates in college teaching, mental health counseling, music learning theory, and library and information science.

UB offers New York residents discounted tuition. UB is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Established in 1889, SUNY Plattsburgh enrolls more than 5,000 students through over 60 undergraduate and graduate programs every year. Online undergraduate programs at SUNY Plattsburgh include bachelor of science degrees in accounting and nursing.

The accounting bachelor's degree is a degree-completion program. Courses cover accounting fundamentals, economics, mathematical modeling, and principles of finance. Students can optionally complete an accounting internship, gaining practical experience in the field.

SUNY Plattsburgh's online bachelor of science in nursing is designed for registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing. The nursing curriculum comprises 27 credits of major coursework and 27-28 credits of cognate classes. Applicants to the online nursing degree must hold an unencumbered nursing license and a minimum 2.5 GPA.

SUNY Plattsburgh also offers an online master of science in fitness and wellness leadership and a graduate certificate in teacher leadership. SUNY Plattsburgh is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Founded by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt in 1952, Dominican College provides academic programs based in Catholic faith and the Dominican intellectual tradition. The school holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Dominican College provides accelerated, online bachelor's degrees in business management, psychology, and criminal justice. The school also offers online bachelor of arts degrees in communication studies and social sciences and a bachelor of science in nursing.

The online business management bachelor's degree emphasizes business analysis, written and verbal communication, and global business. Students explore business management theories and applications to prepare for leadership roles across industries.

The online psychology bachelor's degree integrates 42 credits of major coursework in general psychology, theory, research, and application. The online criminal justice bachelor's degree prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, and protective services.

Students in the communication studies program explore topics like business and global communication, public relations, crisis communication, and leadership. Dominican College's social sciences bachelor's degree includes optional concentrations in psychology and criminal justice.

Students can transfer up to 70 credits from an accredited two-year institution or 90 credits from an accredited four-year college or university toward their degrees. Applicants need a minimum 2.0 GPA from previous college coursework.

Established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1950, Mercy enrolls nearly 11,000 students annually through five academic schools and maintains regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Distance learners can choose from more than 200 online courses and over 30 online degrees and certificates at Mercy. Online undergraduate programs include associate of science and associate of arts degrees in liberal arts and an advanced certificate in special education.

Mercy's online bachelor's degree in behavior science allows learners to specialize in community health, gerontology, or health services management. The online bachelor's in business administration degree offers six concentrations, including options in sports management, international business, and finance.

Mercy offers fully online bachelor's degrees in corporate and homeland security management, computer information systems, cybersecurity, and English. Additionally, more than half of the major courses for Mercy's bachelor's degrees in criminal justice, legal studies, Spanish, and history are available online.

Online graduate degree options include education, human services management, organizational leadership, and teaching literacy.

Applicants must submit transcripts and optional ACT or SAT scores. Mercy accepts up to 75 transfer credits from two-year institutions and 90 transfer credits from four-year colleges and universities. Applicants can also submit supporting documents, such as a resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement, to enhance their applications.

Chartered in 1906, SUNY Canton offers nearly 50 undergraduate degrees and certificates through three academic schools. SUNY Canton allows students to cross-register at Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, and SUNY Potsdam through an associated colleges agreement.

With 21 online degrees and more than 450 online classes, SUNY Canton presents students with a host of flexible, convenient learning options. Online associate degrees in criminal justice, business administration, and early childhood education accompany liberal arts programs that prepare learners to pursue four-year degrees.

Online bachelor's degree options include accounting, healthcare management, finance, and legal studies. Students can also pursue online bachelor's degrees in forensic criminology, homeland security, and agribusiness management.

An additional online E-sports management bachelor's degree prepares learners for careers in entertainment, blending interdisciplinary coursework in game design and development with business and management classes. SUNY Canton is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

SUNY Poly formed out of the merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the SUNY Institute of Technology in 2014. SUNY Poly enrolls more than 2,000 students annually, offering academic programs that emphasize innovation and discovery in science, engineering, and technology.

SUNY Poly's online undergraduate degrees include bachelor of science and bachelor of professional studies in health information management programs. Both programs span 124 credits. SUNY Poly also offers an online bachelor of science in nursing for registered nurses with associate degrees.

SUNY Poly offers online master of science degrees in accountancy, information design technology, nursing education, and transformational leadership in nursing. Students can also pursue online certificates in forensic accounting and valuation, data analysis, and nurse leadership.

Applicants must submit materials through the SUNY system or The Common Application. Application materials include transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and one letter of recommendation. SUNY Poly is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

A member of the State University of New York system since 1948, Brockport began as a Baptist institute in 1835. The school offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs through three academic schools and holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Brockport's online program options include a bachelor of science in business administration that prepares students to work as managers in business settings, focusing on topics like human resources, information systems, and organizational management. Students can also pursue an online bachelor of science in nursing, designed as a fast-track program for practicing registered nurses.

The school also offers online graduate degrees in areas like education, nursing, and liberal studies. Education master's degrees in biology, chemistry, and Earth sciences accompany programs in instructional design, higher education administration, and physical education.

Online students can access Brockport's online concierge, which refers learners to campus services and provides outreach, support, and information as needed.