15 Free and Cheap Universities in New York for International Students

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In New York, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in United States without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in New York, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 133 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in New York, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in New York for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in New York ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
United States Military Academy 0 USD 100%
United States Merchant Marine Academy 0 USD 100%
SUNY New Paltz 11,400 USD 66%
CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies 14,900 USD 55%
Queens College, City University of New York 14,900 USD 55%
CUNY School of Professional Studies 14,900 USD 55%
Macaulay Honors College 14,900 USD 55%
Medgar Evers College 14,900 USD 55%
Monroe College 15,500 USD 53%
Houghton University 15,900 USD 52%
Farmingdale State University 17,000 USD 48%
SUNY Morrisville 17,000 USD 48%
SUNY Plattsburgh 17,000 USD 48%
SUNY at Old Westbury 17,000 USD 48%
Farmingdale State College 17,000 USD 48%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 32,600 USD for universities in New York.

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1. United States Military Academy

The United States Military Academy, also known simply as West Point, was established in 1802 in West Point, New York as legislated by President Thomas Jefferson. It is among the service academies in the United States dedicated to educating future soldiers. The academy currently offers 36 majors in various disciplines designed to understand and serve the needs of society.

2. United States Merchant Marine Academy

United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that aims to train students who want to pursue a career in marine transportation, national security, and economics. It is known for its rigorous coursework with a heavy emphasis on practical learning. The academy is connected with multiple working commercial vessels abroad to allow students to gain real-world experiences during their stay.

3. SUNY New Paltz

The State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz) takes pride in its affordable education, admitting students from all economic and social backgrounds. This inclusive environment leads students to a more productive and fun-filled experience. The university is considered an active contributor to the cultural life of New York.

4. CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

The School of Labor and Urban Studies at City University of New York provides excellent academic programs that focus on serving the needs of workers and urban communities and promoting social justice. In addition to training students, it also offers various opportunities for adult workers to gain college-level education and acquire technical skills essential to their respective professions. The school also conducts research programs and organizes different activities that help raise awareness and encourage discussions on different labor-related issues and concerns.

5. Queens College, City University of New York

Queens College is a member of the 25-campus City University of New York system. It is well-ranked in the US, placing 344th in the Times Higher Education college rankings. Several programs are offered for undergrad and grad students. It has bachelor’s programs, adult collegiate education, and medical career preparation certificate for undergrads. As for grad students, Queens College provides master’s, online, and accelerated programs.

6. CUNY School of Professional Studies

The City University of New York School of Professional Studies is known for offering highly flexible, mostly online programs designed for students and professionals who wish to enhance their skill sets and grow in their respective careers. A global frontrunner in online education, the school seeks to provide top-notch education in a way that is convenient for busy working professionals to complete at their own time and pace. Its program offerings cover a variety of disciplines, including business administration, psychology, and communication.

7. Macaulay Honors College

Standing among the most highly-rated public honors colleges in the United States, Macaulay Honors College is dedicated to providing academic opportunities and financial support to deserving students. It offers undergraduate and associate degrees in a diverse range of disciplines with programs designed to impart its students with professional and leadership skills. It is located in the heart of New York, a city that offers countless possibilities for educational and career growth.

8. Medgar Evers College

Medgar Evers College was founded in 1970 with a mission to provide individuals from Central Brooklyn with excellent and accessible educational opportunities and help address the social and economic needs of the community. The college was named after activist Medgar Evers, a significant figure and martyr of the civil rights movement. It caters to over 7,000 students and offers programs in different areas of business, education, health sciences, and liberal arts.

9. Monroe College

Monroe College is a private college in New York City. It has three campuses located in New Rochelle, Bronx, and Saint Lucia. Monroe College aims to provide students with valuable skills for a modern career and follows industry-driven curricula to do so. The college also encourages sports by providing the necessary support to its student-athletes, varsity, and club programs.

10. Houghton University

Established in 1883, Houghton College comprises diverse students and faculty members from across the globe. The university is deeply rooted in its Christian traditions, and its programs are primarily aligned with its faith and values. In addition, the university is fully committed to transforming the lives of students and preparing them to become competent leaders and experts in their chosen fields.

11. Farmingdale State University

Farmingdale State University in New York State, founded in 1912, is a public university affiliated with the New York State University system. Farmingdale state university was founded 110 years ago in Long Island as the New York State Agricultural School, which gradually expanded and began to adopt various departments, transformed into a general university, and now operates as a university with approximately 10,000 students.

12. SUNY Morrisville

SUNY Morrisville is a public college in Syracuse, New York. It has two locations in Morrisville and Norwich. The state university was first established in 1908 as a college of agriculture for progressive public education for farmers.

13. SUNY Plattsburgh

State University of New York College at Plattsburgh (SUNY Plattsburgh) is known for meeting the nationwide needs for higher education. The institution also greatly contributes to society through research discovery and constant innovation. It seeks to challenge the students’ minds and inspire them to become better leaders someday.

14. SUNY at Old Westbury

SUNY at Old Westbury offers bachelor’s, master’s, bachelor’s/master’s, certificate, micro credential, certificate, and minor courses. It is a member of the State University of New York System. The college is proud of its education quality, reflected in its numerous rankings and distinctions. Among them is the Times Higher Education US College Rankings 2019, in which it ranked 601st.

15. Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale State College is considered the largest college for applied science and technology at the State University of New York. It is strongly dedicated to providing equal access to affordable and high-quality education to everyone, including individuals from marginalized and underrepresented communities. It offers 46 degree programs designed to meet the current and emerging needs of various industries, resulting in its high rankings in graduate employability and early career earnings.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in New York for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in New York ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
United States Merchant Marine Academy 0 USD 100%
Utica University 8,400 USD - 38,000 USD 60%
Le Moyne College 8,730 USD - 31,300 USD 58%
Elmira College 8,820 USD - 10,500 USD 58%
Canisius College 9,600 USD - 15,000 USD 54%
York College, CUNY 10,300 USD - 22,300 USD 51%
Hilbert College 10,400 USD 50%
St. Francis College 10,400 USD - 16,000 USD 50%
College of Mount Saint Vincent 11,000 USD - 12,800 USD 47%
Roberts Wesleyan College 11,100 USD - 13,500 USD 47%
SUNY College of Optometry 11,400 USD - 23,100 USD 46%
Nazareth University 11,500 USD - 15,700 USD 45%
SUNY Polytechnic Institute 11,600 USD 44%
SUNY at Old Westbury 11,600 USD 44%
SUNY Oswego 11,600 USD - 12,200 USD 44%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 20,600 USD for universities in New York.

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1. United States Merchant Marine Academy

United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that aims to train students who want to pursue a career in marine transportation, national security, and economics. It is known for its rigorous coursework with a heavy emphasis on practical learning. The academy is connected with multiple working commercial vessels abroad to allow students to gain real-world experiences during their stay.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, United States Merchant Marine Academy should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 0 USD annually for their master's degree.

2. Utica University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Utica University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Utica University is 8,400 USD to 37,948 USD.

Utica University is a private educational institution that already has an excellent reputation when it comes to academic offerings. The university actively supports its students when it comes to various international collaborations, allowing them to expand their career choices. It also seeks to give students ample real-work experience, which is vital in their future careers.

3. Le Moyne College

Le Moyne College, a Catholic institution, is affiliated with the Society of Jesus, making it a Jesuit college. Excellent liberal arts education and training are provided at Le Moyne. They also offer undergrad and grad programs in other fields like the sciences. The institution takes pride in being a well-ranked college in and out of New York. The Times Higher Education ranking places it at 337th nationwide.

The tuition fee at Le Moyne College for incoming international master’s students is 8,730 USD to 31,260 USD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Elmira College

Another affordable university to consider in New York is Elmira College.

Situated in the state of New York, Elmira College is a private institution that was initially established to educate women. Today, it is a coeducational college that prepares students from all walks of life to become leaders and world-class citizens. The institution concentrates on offering liberal arts and science studies. Some of its programs have been nationally recognized for their high-quality education. Moreover, as it thrives to become one of the state’s leading colleges, it continuously improves its education system and develops more future-oriented programs.

The tuition fee in Elmira College for master’s program for foreign students starts from 8,820 USD.

5. Canisius College

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Canisius College has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 9,600 USD yearly.

Canisius College combines academics and practical learning, helping students be enlightened about their future professional work. The institution also collaborates with multiple universities to heighten its research activities. In recent years, Canisius College has greatly succeeded in widening its international reach and is now one of the most progressive educational institutions in the state.

6. York College, CUNY

York College is part of the City University of New York system and was founded in 1966. It uses the main colors White, Red, and Black to represent the student population and the entirety of the school in various regional and national events such as NCAA Division III competitions. State-of-the-art facilities and equipment are also present in the school like an Olympic-sized swimming pool, indoor tracks, computer and science laboratories, as well as musical theaters and auditoriums. CUNY York College offers undergraduate and limited graduate-level programs for the youth.

7. Hilbert College

Hilbert College was founded in 1957 in Hamburg, New York. It currently has over 800 students. Housing is available on-campus, and students can choose their accommodations from two resident halls and multiple apartment-style housing. With a small student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, students at Hilbert College get the right amount of attention and mentoring from their teachers.

8. St. Francis College

St. Francis College is a private educational institution that strives to provide excellent education and impart values founded on its Franciscan and Catholic heritage. It offers more than 70 programs in business, health sciences, and social sciences. The college shows its strong commitment to promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion by providing equal opportunities to all of its students and faculty and encouraging discussions to ensure that all members of the campus community are heard.

9. College of Mount Saint Vincent

College of Mount Saint Vincent is a 175-year-old Catholic liberal arts university located in New York City, United States. It was initially founded in 1847 as a women’s college by the Charity Sisterhood of New York and currently serves about 2,000 students through graduate programs in nursing, communication, education, and business. The College of Mount Saint Vincent has a ratio of approximately 13 to 1, and the most popular majors in the university are nursing, business, and psychology.

10. Roberts Wesleyan College

Roberts Wesleyan College was founded in 1866 in Rochester, New York as a private higher educational institute. They offer undergraduate and graduate programs on-campus and online, as well as allowing students from in and out of the United States to study in their school. The school focuses on a Christ-centered academic and social tradition, allowing students to take part in religious-guided activities in athletics, academics, or recreational areas. Their current report shows a total of 1780 enrollees with 1,293 undergraduates, and 487 graduates of different ethnicities and races such as Hispanics, Native Hawaiians, African-Americans, and Asians.

11. SUNY College of Optometry

Established in 1971, the SUNY College of Optometry is a specialized higher education school that trains students to become professional eye specialists. It is among the leading institutions that provide top-class education in vision science. With about 65 affiliated clinical training sites, students are assured of getting the best training and mentorship throughout their studies.

12. Nazareth University

Nazareth University (formerly Nazareth College), founded in 1924, became a university in 2023. This private co-educational institution in Rochester, New York fosters a community bound by mission and values, intellectually and personally nurturing students. Since the early 1970s, it has been a religiously independent school, providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students to explore their academic pursuits and personal growth.

Nazareth University provides tours and reviews for prospective students who come to visit. Transfer and exchange programs also occur in the college, allowing relationships among students in and out of the United States to form. A graduate school is also available at Nazareth University, giving a chance to students to pursue education even after finishing their undergraduate degree programs.

13. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

SUNY Polytechnic Institute, more commonly known as SUNY Poly, offers innovative and future-oriented academic programs in business, computer science, engineering, health sciences, arts, and sciences. Aside from its internationally recognized programs, SUNY Poly’s faculty comprises talented and highly qualified professors and experts. As New York’s premier public polytechnic university, the school is fully committed to educating and mentoring its students to become competent leaders and professionals by equipping them with fundamental knowledge and developing their fullest potential.

14. SUNY at Old Westbury

SUNY at Old Westbury offers bachelor’s, master’s, bachelor’s/master’s, certificate, micro credential, certificate, and minor courses. It is a member of the State University of New York System. The college is proud of its education quality, reflected in its numerous rankings and distinctions. Among them is the Times Higher Education US College Rankings 2019, in which it ranked 601st.

15. SUNY Oswego

Part of the State University of New York system, SUNY Oswego, or the State University of New York at Oswego, is a public institution that is nationally recognized for its academic excellence. Over the years, the university has undergone several redevelopments and improvements to provide top-quality education to its students. It has since gained success and has achieved several awards and recognitions. Today, SUNY Oswego is one of the preferred public institutions for local and international students.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in New York?

Applying to cheap universities in New York requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in United States for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in New York?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in New York. For example, one of the best affordable schools in New York is the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, which offers Labor Studies, and Urban and Community Studies to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Canisius College offers Anthrozoology, Business Analytics, and Applied Nutrition.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in New York, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in New York as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on free and affordable institutions in New York for international students was helpful!