Cheapest Biology Colleges in New York

CUNY Hunter College delivers the state's most affordable Biology program at just $2,446 net cost annually, making quality science education accessible in Manhattan's heart. The CUNY system dominates New York's budget-friendly biology options, with eight of the top ten cheapest programs. Meanwhile, graduates from CUNY York College earn $39,009 annually, nearly double the earnings of some peer institutions despite the low program costs. New York's biotechnology sector, concentrated in areas like the Alexandria Center for Life Science, creates substantial demand for biology graduates in pharmaceuticals, medical research, and environmental consulting. The cost gap between CUNY schools and SUNY institutions reflects location differences, with metropolitan CUNY campuses offering lower net costs despite higher living expenses. Graduation rates vary significantly across programs, from Baruch's strong 72.1% to more challenging outcomes at specialized campuses, suggesting students should weigh completion likelihood against affordability.

Programs

$2,446 – $24,583

Net Price Range

$27,154

Avg. Program Earnings

59.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY Hunter College New York, New York	$2,446	$7,382	61.0%	47.9%
2	CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, New York	$2,943	$7,452	56.6%	54.5%
3	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, New York	$2,978	$7,464	72.1%	49.5%
4	CUNY Lehman College Bronx, New York	$3,482	$7,410	49.3%	55.3%
5	CUNY City College New York, New York	$3,486	$7,340	54.7%	66.6%
6	CUNY Queens College Queens, New York	$3,830	$7,538	60.2%	69.5%
7	CUNY York College Jamaica, New York	$4,734	$7,358	30.3%	59.1%
8	College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, New York	$5,115	$7,490	32.8%
9	CUNY Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, New York	$5,881	$7,352	22.3%	87.7%
10	Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, New York	$9,173	$8,576	57.1%	73.2%
11	SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, New York	$9,900	$8,379	46.6%	92.1%
12	SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, New York	$13,882	$8,578	59.2%	81.7%
13	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York	$14,229	$8,486	36.0%	86.0%
14	SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, New York	$14,295	$8,712	47.9%	82.7%
15	SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, New York	$15,644	$8,771	53.5%	84.6%
16	Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, New York	$15,770	$22,106	48.1%	85.9%
17	SUNY Brockport Brockport, New York	$15,844	$8,678	56.6%	67.9%
18	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, New York	$16,547	$8,881	58.8%	70.2%
19	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231	$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
20	St. Joseph's University-New York Brooklyn, New York	$17,622	$34,535	64.2%	76.7%
21	SUNY College at Geneseo Geneseo, New York	$18,021	$8,966	72.1%	74.9%
22	Daemen University Amherst, New York	$18,244	$33,724	58.4%	79.9%
23	Canisius University Buffalo, New York	$18,322	$32,720	70.7%	77.7%
24	Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York	$18,430	$10,560	77.8%	49.1%
25	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481	$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
26	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
27	Niagara University Niagara University, New York	$18,740	$38,135	70.2%	89.6%
28	SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, New York	$18,833	$8,812	70.2%	72.5%
29	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, New York	$19,067	$8,953	61.6%	74.7%
30	D'Youville University Buffalo, New York	$19,585	$33,560	56.7%	84.0%
31	University of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, New York	$19,920	$42,740	57.1%	88.9%
32	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, New York	$19,951	$8,815	68.2%	59.8%
33	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$20,148	$69,045	95.0%	4.0%
34	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470	$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
35	New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, New York	$20,709	$44,360	56.0%	75.7%
36	Houghton University Houghton, New York	$21,148	$17,290	64.7%	77.0%
37	St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, New York	$21,344	$37,720	62.6%	88.6%
38	Binghamton University Vestal, New York	$21,364	$10,363	83.6%	41.8%
39	Le Moyne College Syracuse, New York	$21,547	$38,970	71.0%	78.3%
40	St. Francis College Brooklyn, New York	$21,614	$27,570	52.3%	84.3%
41	Utica University Utica, New York	$21,869	$24,308	55.5%	80.9%
42	Alfred University Alfred, New York	$22,701	$39,530	55.5%	50.6%
43	Wells College Aurora, New York	$22,921	$35,166	40.9%	87.7%
44	Russell Sage College Troy, New York	$23,027	$36,756	65.7%	73.6%
45	Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, New York	$23,461	$37,504	63.9%	99.5%
46	Elmira College Elmira, New York	$23,735	$37,932	64.0%	96.0%
47	Mount Saint Mary College Newburgh, New York	$23,736	$41,370	65.7%	88.3%
48	The College of Saint Rose Albany, New York	$23,819	$37,452	51.0%	78.0%
49	Long Island University Brookville, New York	$23,901	$41,642	55.4%	92.7%
50	Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, New York	$24,583	$32,049	53.3%	84.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Hunter College's Biology program cost only $2,446 annually?

Hunter College benefits from CUNY's urban funding model and serves a high percentage of Pell Grant recipients. The $2,446 represents net cost after all financial aid, while the actual in-state tuition stands at $7,382. Hunter's Manhattan location provides access to internships and research opportunities that help offset educational costs through work-study programs and industry partnerships.

How do earnings vary among New York's cheapest Biology programs?

Graduate earnings range dramatically from $20,140 at CUNY City College to $39,009 at CUNY York College. CUNY Medgar Evers College graduates earn $36,069 despite the program's low completion rate of 22.3%. These earnings differences often reflect geographic factors, with programs near major medical centers and research facilities typically producing higher-earning graduates.

Is graduation rate connected to program cost in New York Biology programs?

The relationship between cost and completion varies significantly across schools. CUNY Baruch achieves a 72.1% graduation rate at just $2,978 net cost, while College of Staten Island has a 32.8% rate at $5,115. CUNY Hunter maintains a solid 61% graduation rate despite being the cheapest option, suggesting affordability doesn't necessarily compromise outcomes.

Does acceptance rate affect the value of cheap Biology programs?

Acceptance rates span from Baruch's selective 49.53% to SUNY Old Westbury's open 92.10%, but selectivity doesn't always correlate with outcomes. Hunter College admits 47.86% of applicants and maintains strong graduation rates, while highly accessible programs like Medgar Evers (87.65% acceptance) can still produce well-earning graduates. Students should consider their academic preparation alongside acceptance standards.

Where do Biology graduates find employment in New York's job market?

New York's biology graduates enter roles in pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, research institutions including Rockefeller University, and the city's extensive hospital networks. The state's growing biotechnology sector, environmental consulting firms, and food safety agencies provide entry-level positions starting around $25,000-30,000. Graduate degree holders often pursue medical school or research positions at institutions like Columbia or NYU, leveraging their affordable undergraduate foundation.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.