15 Cheapest Universities in New York City for International Students

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In New York City, 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 City, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 43 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in New York City, make sure to read more!

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Macaulay Honors College 14,900 USD 54%
Medgar Evers College 14,900 USD 54%
CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies 14,900 USD 54%
Queens College, City University of New York 14,900 USD 54%
CUNY School of Professional Studies 14,900 USD 54%
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University 18,400 USD 43%
Touro University 18,400 USD 43%
New York City College of Technology, CUNY 18,600 USD 43%
Baruch College, CUNY 18,600 USD 43%
Lehman College, CUNY 18,600 USD 43%
City College of New York 18,600 USD 43%
John Jay College of Criminal Justice 18,600 USD 43%
York College, CUNY 18,600 USD 43%
Metropolitan College of New York 19,400 USD 40%
Fashion Institute of Technology 21,700 USD 33%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 32,200 USD for universities in New York City.

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1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

Situated in Brooklyn, New York, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University has been providing excellent medical and health sciences education to a broader segment of the population since its establishment in 1860. It has a diverse student population, 57% of which are minorities. The university aims to produce highly qualified professionals and practitioners who are not only knowledgeable and skilled but also possess the ethical and moral commitment to improve the health and overall well-being of the community.

7. Touro University

Touro University was established as a higher education provider for the Jewish community. Over the years, the university has grown to become the largest private Jewish institution of higher and professional education that offers various degrees of education, from undergraduate to graduate studies, across 4 countries. The university is serving over 19,000 students across 35 schools across the world.

8. New York City College of Technology, CUNY

New York City College of Technology is a degree-granting organization devoted to providing broad access to high-quality technical and professional education for a mixed urban population. City Tech’s specific emphasis on applied skills and place-based knowledge built upon a profound general education basis equips students with problem-solving skills and an awareness of technology’s social contexts. This curriculum has made its graduates competitive and highly competent.

9. Baruch College, CUNY

Baruch College is named after Bernard M. Baruch, a renowned financier, and businessman. It is a constituent campus of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, with an origin tracing back to the Free Academy, the pioneering institution for free higher education in the United States. Baruch College offers over 60 degree programs through its three schools: Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, Weismann School of Arts and Sciences, and Zicklin School of Business.

10. Lehman College, CUNY

Lehman College is a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system and is the system’s only four-year college in the Bronx area. It provides students opportunities to pursue the sciences, liberal arts, and professional education. Lehman College is ranked 251st in the US by QS rankings.

11. City College of New York

City College of New York offers excellent learning, teaching, and research on its beautiful campus. The institution aims to train students and help them achieve their career goals. It is one of the leading universities in the state due to its comprehensive and intensive curriculum.

12. John Jay College of Criminal Justice

John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a liberal arts college that offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate level programs. The student population is highly diverse, with students from over 130 countries. The college is proud of its alumni, including three Pulitzer Prize winners and hundreds who are doing volunteer and societal work. Over fifty percent of their alumni are involved in public work through the government or non-governmental organizations.

13. 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.

14. Metropolitan College of New York

Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) is a private college in New York City. It was founded in 1964 by educational visionary Audrey Cohen as the Women’s Talent Corp. The college offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and adheres to Cohen’s purpose-centered philosophy by focusing on a single educational theme each term. Community Organization, Business, Hospital Management, Public Administration, and Business Support Services are among the most popular majors at MCNY.

15. Fashion Institute of Technology

The Fashion Institute of Technology is located in one of the biggest shopping districts in the world, New York. A member of the State University of New York, it hosts undergraduate and graduate programs in fashion, marketing, design, and fashion business management. Renowned alumni include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Nina Garcia.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
York College, CUNY 10,300 USD - 22,300 USD 54%
St. Francis College 10,400 USD - 16,000 USD 53%
College of Mount Saint Vincent 11,000 USD - 12,800 USD 51%
SUNY College of Optometry 11,400 USD - 23,100 USD 49%
Touro University 12,000 USD - 13,000 USD 46%
Graduate Center, CUNY 12,900 USD 42%
Lehman College, CUNY 12,900 USD - 16,700 USD 42%
Baruch College, CUNY 12,900 USD - 16,700 USD 42%
City College of New York 12,900 USD - 16,200 USD 42%
Berkeley College 13,200 USD 41%
Fordham University 14,400 USD - 51,600 USD 35%
John Jay College of Criminal Justice 15,200 USD 32%
Metropolitan College of New York 15,200 USD - 17,600 USD 32%
Pace University 15,400 USD - 21,300 USD 31%
Queens College, City University of New York 15,400 USD 31%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 22,100 USD for universities in New York City.

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1. 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.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, York College, CUNY should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 10,260 USD to 22,230 USD annually for their master's degree.

2. St. Francis College

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is St. Francis College. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at St. Francis College is 10,400 USD to 16,000 USD.

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.

3. 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.

The tuition fee at College of Mount Saint Vincent for incoming international master’s students is 11,000 USD to 12,750 USD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. SUNY College of Optometry

Another affordable university to consider in New York City is 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.

The tuition fee in SUNY College of Optometry for master’s program for foreign students starts from 11,310 USD.

5. Touro University

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Touro University 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 11,925 USD yearly.

Touro University was established as a higher education provider for the Jewish community. Over the years, the university has grown to become the largest private Jewish institution of higher and professional education that offers various degrees of education, from undergraduate to graduate studies, across 4 countries. The university is serving over 19,000 students across 35 schools across the world.

6. Graduate Center, CUNY

The Graduate Center, CUNY, is a major Ph.D. institution in the New York City University (CUNY) system, located opposite the Empire State Building, in the B. Altman and Company Building. Several Ph.D. programs at the CUNY Graduate Center consistently rank in the top 30 in the United States. In particular, the Advanced Scientific Research Center has a high application rate as it strengthens STEM education and promotes a collaborative research culture of scientists in various fields, which brings practical benefits to society.

7. Lehman College, CUNY

Lehman College is a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system and is the system’s only four-year college in the Bronx area. It provides students opportunities to pursue the sciences, liberal arts, and professional education. Lehman College is ranked 251st in the US by QS rankings.

8. Baruch College, CUNY

Baruch College is named after Bernard M. Baruch, a renowned financier, and businessman. It is a constituent campus of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, with an origin tracing back to the Free Academy, the pioneering institution for free higher education in the United States. Baruch College offers over 60 degree programs through its three schools: Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, Weismann School of Arts and Sciences, and Zicklin School of Business.

9. City College of New York

City College of New York offers excellent learning, teaching, and research on its beautiful campus. The institution aims to train students and help them achieve their career goals. It is one of the leading universities in the state due to its comprehensive and intensive curriculum.

10. Berkeley College

Berkeley College is a private university with campuses in New York and New Jersey in the United States. It was founded in 1931 and is certified by the Central American Higher Education Commission. The university offers a variety of degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate programs. Continuing Education courses are also available on-campus and online.

11. Fordham University

Being a Jesuit institution located in the heart of New York, Fordham University is probably one of the oldest Catholic colleges situated in the United States. Having many famous alumni among its ranks, this institution was the academic institution attended by Donald Trump, a few billionaires, government officials, and even cardinals of the Catholic Church. Playing a key role in the government of the United States, Fordham University offers a wide variety of academic subjects established in the Jesuit discipline.

12. John Jay College of Criminal Justice

John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a liberal arts college that offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate level programs. The student population is highly diverse, with students from over 130 countries. The college is proud of its alumni, including three Pulitzer Prize winners and hundreds who are doing volunteer and societal work. Over fifty percent of their alumni are involved in public work through the government or non-governmental organizations.

13. Metropolitan College of New York

Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) is a private college in New York City. It was founded in 1964 by educational visionary Audrey Cohen as the Women’s Talent Corp. The college offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and adheres to Cohen’s purpose-centered philosophy by focusing on a single educational theme each term. Community Organization, Business, Hospital Management, Public Administration, and Business Support Services are among the most popular majors at MCNY.

14. Pace University

With two colleges and four schools, Pace University offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs to 12,000 students. It has multiple campuses throughout New York City and Westchester, and it also has different opportunities for studying for up to a year in another country. Pace University is famous for its College of Arts, which offers multiple degree programs for those who want to work in the entertainment industry. In fact, its Center for the Arts has been the recording studio of a few famous TV shows and many important celebrities have worked in the theater. The university also has other modern facilities, like different research laboratories and the Women’s Justice Center.

15. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Applying to cheap universities in New York City 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 City?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in New York City. For example, one of the best affordable schools in New York City is the Baruch College, CUNY, which offers Accountancy, Business Journalism, and Communication Studies to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Baruch College, CUNY offers Business Analytics, Information Systems, and Financial Risk Management.

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 City, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

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

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