Online colleges in New York allow students in the fourth most populated state to pursue the college experience that best suits their needs.
Online colleges in New York offer affordable, flexible options for earning a bachelor's degree. Working professionals, adult learners, and first-year students alike can pursue an online degree while staying close to home.
Many online schools in New York offer specialized programs, opening up educational opportunities for students interested in fields previously inaccessible to them. Reciprocity agreements may provide reduced tuition for learners living in neighboring states, such as New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. In- and out-of-state students alike also benefit from State University of New York (SUNY) system's online offerings, which facilitate transfers between member institutions.
Our ranking provides insight into the variety of programs offered by the best online colleges in New York. The rankings incorporate data about the quality of programs, types of courses and degrees offered, faculty highlights, tuition rates, financial aid availability, and overall reputation.
Established in 1851, NYU enrolls more than 59,000 students through 18 academic schools and colleges every year. The institution maintains regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and it is one of the best online colleges in New York.
NYU's online college offers undergraduate and graduate courses, degrees, and certificates. Many of NYU's online programs include study abroad opportunities, allowing students to travel to one of 14 global locations as they earn their degrees.
Online undergraduate program options include bachelor's degrees in social science and leadership and management studies. The online bachelor of arts in social science emphasizes organizational behavior and change through coursework in communication and workplace dynamics, leadership and organizational strategy, and managing organizations and change.
NYU's online bachelor of science in leadership and management studies comprises 128 credits and offers concentrations like human resource management; international business and global management; marketing, advertising, and public relations; and organizational management and development.
Undergraduate applicants submit materials through The Common Application. Required documents include high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and at least one teacher evaluation.
Founded in 1870, Syracuse offers more than 400 undergraduate and graduate programs through 13 academic schools and colleges. Syracuse's online college integrates both asynchronous content and live, interactive sessions.
Online students can earn bachelor's degrees in fields like cybersecurity administration, creative leadership, and knowledge management. Each program comprises 120 credits. The bachelor's degree in cybersecurity administration builds knowledge and skills in information technology management, digital forensics, and applied information security.
The bachelor's degree in creative leadership hones strategic-thinking, interpersonal, forecasting, and decision-making skills, while the online bachelor's degree in knowledge and management builds competencies applicable to careers in business analysis, data management, and database administration.
Online graduate degrees and certificates cover disciplines like accounting and business, library and information science, creative leadership, and public administration. Syracuse holds regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Emphasizing intellectual and creative thought since 1919, The New School offers more than 130 degree and diploma programs. The institution embraces a multidisciplinary approach to education and holds regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
The New School offers online bachelor's degrees designed to accommodate working professionals and experienced adults. The New School allows students to transfer up to 70% of an online bachelor's degree, offering credit for prior college, professional, military, and life experience.
Bachelor's degree-seekers can choose from one of eight possible liberal arts majors, including creative writing, environmental studies, food studies, or psychology. Learners can also earn bachelor's degrees in global studies, media studies, urban studies, and musical theater.
Online master's degrees include traditional and executive programs in strategic design and management, master of arts degrees in media studies and teaching English to speakers of other languages, and a master of science in media management. Learners can also earn a master of professional studies in fashion management online or pursue one of 16 online certificates.
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.
School Type
Public Nonprofit
Graduation Rate
65%
Percent Receiving Loans
71%
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Ranking Methodology
Online Colleges in New York Ranking Guidelines
We selected the online schools in New York based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, and faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
Methodology for College Rankings
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet — TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
Considers range of electives within that discipline
Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
Considers education background of the faculty
Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
Faculty
Curriculum
“Freshness” of academic knowledge
Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
Considers the following of the online classes:
Types of online technology used to deliver content
Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
Considers the following of instructors:
Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
Ratio to number of students in a class
Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
Accreditation
Public or private status
Acceptance rate
Retention rate
Graduation rate
ACT/SAT requirements
Cost in-state / out of state
Undergrad, grad, or both offered
Region
State
City
Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!
If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org's underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article "Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS." Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the school or department's publishing activity, citations, and desirability. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: "Making Sense of College Rankings." For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
Employment in New York
Education, health services, and government industries accompany information services as the largest employers in New York. The unemployment rate in New York, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS), rose to 4.5% in March 2020.
Healthcare occupations dominate the top paying careers in New York, offering both high salaries and opportunities for job growth. Students in New York earning a bachelor's degree in the natural sciences establish a strong foundation for pursuing advanced degrees and becoming anesthesiologists, orthodontists, and surgeons.
Similarly, the projected job growth for healthcare occupations bodes well for students with bachelor's degrees in nursing and human services. Home health and personal care aides will see an estimated growth of more than 52% and 40%, respectively.
The cost of living in New York varies significantly by location. In New York City, the cost of living exceeds the national average by 129%, while housing costs nearly 370% above the national average. Payscale indicates that cities like Albany, Ithaca, and Buffalo are all more affordable options, with cost of living estimates at about 10% above the national average.
Individuals seeking entry-level positions in health services, public administration, tourism and hospitality, or education can earn an online associate degree by attending an online university in New York. The Open SUNY website offers comprehensive lists of associate degrees available to students online. Other public colleges and universities and private institutions similarly offer associate degrees for online students.
Individuals seeking entry-level positions in health services, public administration, tourism and hospitality, or education can earn an online associate degree by attending an online university in New York.
Online associate degrees in New York are pathways to continued study. Many community and technical colleges offer online associate degrees and maintain articulation agreements with four-year institutions. This facilitates easy transfers to bachelor's degrees for learners studying disciplines like nursing, information technology, and business.
Colleges and universities in New York also provide online programs for graduate learners, offering a flexible option for working professionals in fields like education, the sciences, and criminal justice.
Online graduate programs often mirror degrees offered on campus, although online learners often complete coursework asynchronously, meaning they don't have to log in at a set time. In an on-campus classroom, students have face-to-face interaction with classmates and instructors. In online programs, discussion forums, chats, and team assignments bring together peers and faculty alike for mentorship, collaboration, and guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Online College Cheaper in New York?
With comparable tuition and fees to their counterparts around the United States, online schools in New York provide an affordable path to a postsecondary degree, eliminating many on-campus costs.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Degree in New York?
Traditional bachelor's degrees span four years, but online programs often allow students to take classes in an accelerated format, which means they can graduate in as few as three years. Part-time learners typically complete a bachelor's degree in 4-8 years.
What Is the Most Popular Degree in New York?
According to SUNY, popular degrees in New York include health and related fields, social and behavioral science, and business and management.
Does an Online Degree Have the Same Value as an On-Campus Degree?
Institutions do not designate whether an earned degree was completed online or on campus when they issue degrees. Because students who attend online university in New York complete the same coursework, assessments, and activities as on-campus learners, they receive the same educational qualifications.
Is New York a Good State For Higher Education?
Government agencies are dedicated to ensuring affordable, quality programs. The Office of Higher Education oversees colleges and universities throughout the state, while the Higher Education Services Corporation is the student financial aid agency for New York.
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