Numerous well-known educational institutions call New York City home, along with major libraries, archives, and museums. Students can find many colleges and universities in the city, including Columbia University, an Ivy League school often included among the world’s top institutions. Because New York City is famous for both its universities and attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and Broadway, the cost of studying there can be higher than in many other parts of the United States.
Education is a fundamental right everyone should enjoy. Unfortunately, the high tuition costs of many higher education institutions remain one of the biggest hurdles to pursuing a college degree. In many cases, students have to take on significant debt to cover the cost of attendance. However, this is not always the case because there are more affordable alternatives to many universities.
That is why we listed some of the recommended, affordable schools in New York that international students can consider. Read the article below to learn more!
Affordable Schools in New York for International Students
1. New York City College of Technology
We start our list of affordable schools in New York with City Tech, which stands for the New York City College of Technology. This institution is the City University of New York’s public college of technology in Brooklyn. It was founded in 1946 to help meet the postwar demand for highly trained technicians and specialists.
Today, the college offers 58 associate and baccalaureate degree programs in fields such as art and design, architecture, business, computer systems, engineering, health care, hospitality, legal studies, and the liberal arts and sciences. In fall 2024, City Tech enrolled about 14,500 students and had a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio, giving students the resources of a large urban public college with access to faculty support.
2. College of Staten Island
The College of Staten Island opened in 1976 after the merger of Staten Island Community College and Richmond College. In 1994, CSI completed its 204-acre campus on Staten Island, making it an appealing option for students looking for open space in New York City. The institution is organized through academic divisions and schools, including Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Technology, the Lucille and Jay Chazanoff School of Business, and the School of Education.
When it comes to academic programs, the College of Staten Island offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs. Its research facilities include the CUNY High Performance Computing Center, which supports CUNY faculty and students with advanced computing resources and technical assistance.
3. York College
The following affordable higher education institution in New York is York College, which opened its doors in 1967 with 371 students and 50 faculty members. Today, the college enrolls around 6,400 students and remains part of the CUNY system.
York College offers programs across three academic schools: Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Systems, and Health Sciences and Professional Programs. It is especially known for health-related programs, but it also offers distinctive options such as a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management.
4. City College of New York
Established in 1847 as the Free Academy of the City of New York, the City College of New York has a proud history of providing generations of New Yorkers with affordable, accessible, and quality education. As an affordable college in the state, CCNY remains committed to social mobility by empowering its students and their local communities. This tradition continues while the college maintains a strong focus on teaching, learning, and research.
CCNY offers undergraduate and graduate programs across schools and divisions such as architecture, engineering, humanities and the arts, civic and global leadership, education, interdisciplinary studies, science, and biomedical education. Whether you want to pursue a degree in education, philosophy, architecture, or engineering, it remains a viable option.
Many students also benefit from access to research opportunities and faculty expertise. Several City College graduates have become Nobel Prize winners, and the college has produced leaders in science, public service, business, the arts, and other fields.
5. Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College was founded in 1930 as New York City’s first public coeducational liberal arts college. It was envisioned as a stepping stone for the children of immigrants and working-class families seeking a strong college education. Currently, this institution is a public college located in Brooklyn and is part of the City University of New York.
Although Brooklyn College began with tuition-free education, CUNY’s free tuition era ended during New York City’s fiscal crisis in the 1970s. Despite this change, Brooklyn College remains a strong value. In 2025, The Princeton Review included Brooklyn College on its Best Value Colleges list, recognizing institutions that combine academic quality, affordability, financial aid, and career outcomes.
6. Lehman College
The next affordable school in New York is Lehman College, a four-year institution in the Bronx that is part of the City University of New York system. With a diverse student body of more than 14,000 students and more than 81,000 alumni, it is integral to the borough’s intellectual, economic, and cultural life. It does so by providing residents of the Bronx and nearby areas access to quality education.
Lehman offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs. Its programs focus on the liberal arts, the sciences, and professional education, with a strong emphasis on a dynamic research environment. The college gives students a wide array of choices with degree programs, including majors in anthropology, gender studies, biology, chemistry, and more.
Moreover, this institution takes pride in being a social catalyst for its students by supporting the economic and social mobility they need. Through its policies and affordable rates, Lehman helps students pursue success while keeping tuition comparatively low.
7. Queens College
In an increasingly globalized society, Queens College has made it its mission to prepare students to serve as innovative leaders in a diverse world. It seeks to help students reach their potential, choose meaningful paths, and serve their communities while developing the skills needed for careers and life.
Through its various baccalaureate and graduate programs, students study fields such as the arts, mathematics, the sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences. The college supports this learning through rigorous academics, cocurricular opportunities, and a liberal arts and professional education approach.
As a public institution, this affordable college in New York serves the larger community by providing accessible higher education. At the end of the day, its graduates are crucial to New York’s vitality and economic prospects.
8. John Jay College of Criminal Justice
John Jay College of Criminal Justice is more than a higher education institution. This affordable institute in New York is also a diverse community of committed individuals looking to explore the meaning of justice and all its aspects from many perspectives. It seeks to foster an inclusive, socially conscious, and intellectually prepared environment for its students by focusing its energy on providing quality education for traditionally underrepresented groups.
This institution offers 31 undergraduate majors, with diverse options connected to justice, the liberal arts, public service, science, and professional preparation. Its curriculum is designed to build critical thinking skills and equip students with the knowledge they need to pursue their goals. That is why graduates of this college have pursued meaningful and rewarding careers in the public and private sectors.
9. Hunter College
- Admission | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from $6,930/year (NYS resident) | from $18,600/year (Out-of-state & international, based on 15 credits per semester)
We end our list of affordable New York schools with Hunter College. Established in 1870, it is a distinguished public college that has served New York City for more than 150 years. As a learning institution, it prioritizes developing its students as individuals, helping mold them into proactive and informed citizens pursuing a just and inclusive society. Since its founding, Hunter has sought to transform the lives of its students by prioritizing their success. It continues to uphold this rich tradition while also moving into the future.
Furthermore, this affordable New York institution fosters intellectual and cultural growth through its undergraduate programs, offering degrees in many fields in the arts and sciences, from art studies to biophysics and everything in between. Whichever degree they pursue, students receive an education that prioritizes research, recognizes societal diversity, and promotes innovative solutions to existing problems.
FAQs: Studying at a University in New York
What is the Cheapest University in New York City?
Some of the most affordable university options in New York City are colleges in the City University of New York system. Also known as CUNY, this public university system includes New York City College of Technology, College of Staten Island, York College, and more. The CUNY senior colleges listed in this article generally follow the same undergraduate tuition schedule for NYS residents and nonresident or international students, so students can compare campuses based on academic programs, location, and personal preferences.
It is exciting to dream of pursuing your chosen degree in an excellent and culture-rich state, especially New York, because of the numerous educational and work opportunities available there. Since institutions in such a famous state can be costly for international students, it is helpful to learn about the most affordable schools you can find in New York, which are listed above for your reference. Take advantage of the opportunity to enroll in quality education and experience the vibrant life of NYC!
We hope this article on cheap universities in New York was helpful. To learn more about studying in the United States, feel free to check out our Study in the USA Page and the Available Courses for International Students.
