BEST 9 Public Universities In New York
Are you planning to further your education in New York? Public universities are an affordable and accessible option.
According to the information shared by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are currently 61 public universities among the total 112 public schools in New York.
The public university systems in New York is divided into two: the State University of New York (SUNY) which has 64 campuses statewide and The City University of New York (CUNY) which has 20 campuses within the city.
Attending any of these public universities will offer you an affordable and accessible education without compromising rigor and quality.
But we’ve reviewed and handpicked some of the top public universities in NYC that we would recommend to both domestic and international students in a heartbeat, based on criteria such as selectivity, advancement, cost, and resources.
Our top recommendation on the best public universities in New York
There is no doubt that New York City has some of the country’s top-rated colleges. This is the city where you find two Ivy League Schools—Cornell University and Columbia University.
But if you are interested in public universities, we strongly recommend you look into these options:
- CUNY Lehman College
- CUNY City College
- Binghamton University
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
- University at Buffalo
- SUNY Oneonta
- CUNY Hunter College
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
- Upstate Medical University
CUNY Lehman College
- Tuition fees: $6930 and $14880 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
- CUNY Lehman college admissions details page
- CUNY Lehman college tuition details page
The CUNY Lehman College is located in the Bronx, New York where it enrolls over 15,000 students and has a graduation rate of about 53 percent.
The public institution has received accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It is one of the best public institutions you can consider right now in New York
With a range of technical and academic programs available, you will be able to achieve your educational goals and the tuition fees is reasonable.
The university’s bachelor’s programs feature lower-division and upper-division coursework. If you are enrolled in an undergraduate program also, you get a complete general education class.
As a student at CUNY Lehman college, you also stand a chance to qualify for the Federal student aid programs such as the Pell Grant so you don’t have to worry about Tuition.
CUNY City College
- Tuition fees: $6930 and $14880 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
- CUNY City college admissions details page
- CUNY City College tuition details page
CUNY City College has a large student body of 15,227 that are all offered multiple programs.
The public universities award Students degree in programs that launch them into flourishing careers that are in demand in New York.
The quality of teaching doesn’t match the tuition fees because this institution is very affordable.
If you study a degree program at CUNY City college, you have access to Federal financial aid such as Pell Grant which can be worth $ 9519.
The school offers both academic and technical programs as well as fundamental classes. The school is accredited and one of the best in New York, especially for international students.
Binghamton University
- Tuition fees: $7,070 and $24,660 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
- Binghamton university admissions details page
- Binghamton university tuition details page
If you are looking for a very accessible public university, particularly in the Vestal area of New York City, then we fully recommend the Binghamton university.
It has a graduation rate of 82 percent and an enrollment of 18,148.
The public institution has both academic and technical programs and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The tuition fees at Binghamton may not be as affordable as some of the options in this review but it’s reasonable compared to those of some private universities in NYC currently.
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
- Tuition fees: $6,930 and $14,880 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College admissions details page
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College tuition details page
The CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is known for its high-end academic and technical programs offered to enrollees.
Many international students also consider this public university due to the availability of financial aid that can help them settle tuition costs without financial pressure.
If you enroll at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, it could take you as long as four years to complete an associate degree or get awarded a bachelor’s degree, unlike in the United Kingdom.
At the CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, students use between a year and two to complete a master’s degree while the doctoral degree can take up to 7 years maximum.
The interesting part of this public university is that some programs come with specific tuition fee waivers.
Overall, this is one of the best accredited public universities in New York City to consider in terms of accessibility because the admission requirements are quite flexible even for international students or immigrants.
University at Buffalo
- Tuition fees: $7,070 and $24,740 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
- University at Buffalo admissions details page
- University at Buffalo tuition details page
Another wonderful public university you should look at if you want to further your education in New York is the University at Buffalo.
Offering both Online and in-person formats of teaching, the public institution has an enrollment volume of 32,347 and a graduation rate of 75 percent.
University at Buffalo is known for its academically rigorous programs offered at affordable tuition unlike most other schools in the City
If you are seeking a degree at this university, you also have a fair chance to qualify for the federal student aid programs, including the Pell Grant which can fetch you an aid award of $8,375.
You may not complete the foundational courses and general education requirements but it all depends on the program you registered for.
SUNY Oneonta
- Tuition fees: $7,070 and $16,980 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
- SUNY Oneonta admissions details page
- SUNY Oneonta tuition details page
The SUNY Oneonta is a public university in the Oneonta area of New York City and it has a graduation rate of 76 percent. They also offer a both online and in-person format of education.
With exactly 103 programs, the public institution ranks among the best in the nation.
It has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16-to-1 which speaks volumes of the up-close practical experience you’d be having when you enroll that this university.
Looking at the official website of SUNY Oneonta, the school releases some form of financial aid to 87 percent of its student population which means that you have a high chance to study without tuition fee pressure or cost of expenses.
The admission rate of this university is 63 percent so you won’t have too much competition while applying for admission at this New York public university.
CUNY Hunter College
- Tuition fees: $6,930 and $14,880 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
- CUNY Hunter College admissions details page
- CUNY Hunter College tuition details page
The CUNY Hunter College may not have an online format for education but it is one of the top choices if you want to study at a CUNY public university in New York.
With an enrollment volume of 24,052, the school offers high-value programs and courses and is known for its solid repute in academic and technical programs.
Expect to conclude your associate degree here in two years or the bachelor’s degree in four years.
In this public university, a master’s degree will take between 1 and 2 years to complete. But only a few programs demand standardized admission tests.
With the presence of a waiver, CUNY Hunter College has become a popular choice for many students looking to further in a public university.
There’s also financial aid for degree seekers in this school to help them settle educational expenses.
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
- Tuition fees: $7,070 and $16,980 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University admissions details page
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University tuition details page
If you’d prefer a public university in Brooklyn, then we recommend you give a hard look at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.
The public institution has more than 55 program options and most of the students we interacted with from this school cited the benefit of the “rigorous course of study” offered at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.
This remark begins to make more sense when you consider that the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9-to-1.
In addition to this, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University offers students experiential learning opportunities that will help them on the job market as a graduate of this school.
You’ll also get to participate in internships, research projects, and other forms of experiential learning.
Upstate Medical University
- Tuition fees: $7,070 and $16,980 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University admissions details page
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University tuition details page
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is located in Syracuse, New York.
It is a highly-rated school for medical students looking to study in a public university without spending their noses on tuition.
You will spend four years obtaining a bachelor’s degree while a doctoral degree will take between three and seven years.
The public institution Has a variety of programs and provides waivers to students for easy enrolment.
Additional resources are also available on the school’s admission department page that will help you apply without any hiccups.
The accredited institution also provides financial aid, allowing students to study without worrying about financial pressure or meeting up with tuition costs.
Final verdict
As we wrap up, you will notice that these top public universities in New York are under the heading of either the State University of New York (SUNY) or the City University of New York (CUNY).
Schools like the University of Albany that are under the SUNY were initially independent.
Our strong recommendation is that you give a hard look at SUNY Stony Brook and SUNY Binghamton if you’re a resident of NYS and looking for the best public universities to attend.
This is because there are higher chances that you’ll love what you see there, from resonating with the campus and undergraduate student community to the very sound majors.
On the other hand, if you aren’t a resident of NY state, you can consider SUNY Stony Brook and its relationship with the nearby Brookhaven National Lab, especially as a student looking to major in physics.
In other words, the SUNY campuses are the best fit for students who are residents of NY state.
Good luck.
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