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 37 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in New York City, make sure to read more!
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* |
|---|---|---|
| Queens College, City University of New York | 14,900 USD | 58% |
| Touro University | 18,400 USD | 48% |
| New York City College of Technology, CUNY | 18,600 USD | 47% |
| Baruch College, CUNY | 18,600 USD | 47% |
| Lehman College, CUNY | 18,600 USD | 47% |
| City College of New York | 18,600 USD | 47% |
| John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 18,600 USD | 47% |
| York College, CUNY | 18,600 USD | 47% |
| Metropolitan College of New York | 19,400 USD | 45% |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 21,700 USD | 38% |
| Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology | 26,900 USD | 24% |
| Berkeley College | 26,900 USD | 24% |
| St. Francis College | 27,200 USD | 23% |
| St. John’s University | 33,000 USD | 6% |
| The New School | 36,800 USD - 53,800 USD | -4% |
* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 35,000 USD for universities in New York City.
1. Queens College, City University of New York
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 14,880 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 7,320 USD to 14,880 USD
- Queens College, City University of New York Admissions Pages
- Queens College, City University of New York Tuition Pages
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.
2. Touro University
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 18,380 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 18,380 USD
- Touro University Admissions Pages
- Touro University Tuition Pages
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.
3. New York City College of Technology, CUNY
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 18,600 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 6,930 USD to 18,600 USD
- New York City College of Technology, CUNY Admissions Pages
- New York City College of Technology, CUNY Tuition Pages
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.
4. Baruch College, CUNY
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 18,600 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 6,930 USD to 18,600 USD
- Baruch College, CUNY Admissions Pages
- Baruch College, CUNY Tuition Pages
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.
5. Lehman College, CUNY
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 18,600 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 4,800 USD to 18,600 USD
- Lehman College, CUNY Admissions Pages
- Lehman College, CUNY Tuition Pages
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.
6. City College of New York
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 18,600 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 6,930 USD to 18,600 USD
- City College of New York Admissions Pages
- City College of New York Tuition Pages
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.
7. John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 18,600 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 6,930 USD to 18,600 USD
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice Admissions Pages
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice Tuition Pages
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.
8. York College, CUNY
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 18,600 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 6,930 USD to 18,600 USD
- York College, CUNY Admissions Pages
- York College, CUNY Tuition Pages
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.
9. Metropolitan College of New York
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 19,338 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 19,338 USD
- Metropolitan College of New York Admissions Pages
- Metropolitan College of New York Tuition Pages
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.
10. Fashion Institute of Technology
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 21,692 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 7,170 USD to 21,692 USD
- Fashion Institute of Technology Admissions Pages
- Fashion Institute of Technology Tuition Pages
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.
11. Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 26,880 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 26,880 USD
- Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology Admissions Pages
- Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology Tuition Pages
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology was founded in 1932 and originally established in New Jersey before moving to New York. The school specializes in aeronautics and aviation in both undergraduate and graduate level education. In terms of population, the school is highly diverse with over 10 ethnicities from across the globe. They envision to have transformational education through the core values of integrity, diversity, collaboration, achievement-oriented, and courage.
12. Berkeley College
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 26,900 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 26,900 USD
- Berkeley College Admissions Pages
- Berkeley College Tuition Pages
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.
13. St. Francis College
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 27,188 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 27,188 USD
- St. Francis College Admissions Pages
- St. Francis College Tuition Pages
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.
14. St. John’s University
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 33,000 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 33,000 USD
- St. John’s University Admissions Pages
- St. John’s University Tuition Pages
St. John’s University is a university that upholds Roman Catholic principles. It seeks to serve the growing immigrant population with high-quality education. The university has expanded dramatically over the years and has international campuses in Europe.
15. The New School
- International Bachelor's Tuition: 36,710 USD to 53,708 USD
- Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 36,710 USD to 53,708 USD
- The New School Admissions Pages
- The New School Tuition Pages
Situated in a trendy place in New York City, The New School is an institution known for its specialization in design, performing arts, social research, and public engagement. Due to its focus on high-quality academic programs, this institution welcomes high-potential applicants alongside its cutting-edge faculty. Not only that, but this institution also houses one of the most international students, which leads to a welcoming culture and an awesome environment for foreign applicants.
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.
1. York College, CUNY
- International Master's Tuition: 10,260 USD to 22,230 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 11,090 USD to 22,230 USD
- York College, CUNY Admissions Pages
- York College, CUNY Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 10,400 USD to 16,000 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 10,400 USD to 16,000 USD
- St. Francis College Admissions Pages
- St. Francis College Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 11,000 USD to 12,750 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 11,000 USD to 12,750 USD
- College of Mount Saint Vincent Admissions Pages
- College of Mount Saint Vincent Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 11,310 USD to 23,100 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 11,310 USD to 23,100 USD
- SUNY College of Optometry Admissions Pages
- SUNY College of Optometry Tuition Pages
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 from11,310 USD.
5. Touro University
- International Master's Tuition: 11,925 USD to 12,975 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 11,925 USD to 12,975 USD
- Touro University Admissions Pages
- Touro University Tuition Pages
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 as11,925 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
- International Master's Tuition: 12,825 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 11,090 USD to 12,825 USD
- Graduate Center, CUNY Admissions Pages
- Graduate Center, CUNY Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 12,825 USD to 16,650 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 11,091 USD to 16,650 USD
- Lehman College, CUNY Admissions Pages
- Lehman College, CUNY Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 12,825 USD to 16,650 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 11,090 USD to 16,650 USD
- Baruch College, CUNY Admissions Pages
- Baruch College, CUNY Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 12,825 USD to 16,125 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 11,090 USD to 16,125 USD
- City College of New York Admissions Pages
- City College of New York Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 13,200 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 13,200 USD
- Berkeley College Admissions Pages
- Berkeley College Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 14,400 USD to 51,516 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 14,400 USD to 51,516 USD
- Fordham University Admissions Pages
- Fordham University Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 15,150 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 11,090 USD to 15,150 USD
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice Admissions Pages
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 15,174 USD to 17,568 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 15,174 USD to 17,568 USD
- Metropolitan College of New York Admissions Pages
- Metropolitan College of New York Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 15,375 USD to 21,300 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 15,375 USD to 21,300 USD
- Pace University Admissions Pages
- Pace University Tuition Pages
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
- International Master's Tuition: 15,390 USD
- Domestic Master's Tuition: 8,460 USD to 15,390 USD
- Queens College, City University of New York Admissions Pages
- Queens College, City University of New York Tuition Pages
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!
