Cheapest Chemistry Colleges in New York

Chemistry students at CUNY Hunter College pay just $2,446 annually while their counterparts at private institutions can face costs exceeding $40,000. This massive affordability gap makes Hunter particularly attractive for aspiring chemists who want to enter New York's pharmaceutical and biotech sectors without crushing debt loads. The CUNY system dominates the most affordable chemistry programs, with eight schools offering net costs under $5,000. Brooklyn College graduates earn $10,925 initially, while Buffalo State alumni command $38,289, highlighting how program selection impacts earning potential. New York's chemical manufacturing industry employs over 25,000 workers, creating opportunities from entry-level lab technicians to senior research scientists. Students benefit from proximity to major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb, along with countless smaller biotech firms concentrated in the metropolitan area. State residents receive additional support through TAP grants, though living costs in NYC can offset tuition savings.

Programs

$2,446 – $27,151

Net Price Range

$31,254

Avg. Program Earnings

60.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Chemistry 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 Lehman College Bronx, New York	$3,482	$7,410	49.3%	55.3%
4	CUNY City College New York, New York	$3,486	$7,340	54.7%	66.6%
5	CUNY Queens College Queens, New York	$3,830	$7,538	60.2%	69.5%
6	CUNY York College Jamaica, New York	$4,734	$7,358	30.3%	59.1%
7	CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, New York	$4,783	$7,332	19.4%	81.8%
8	College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, New York	$5,115	$7,490	32.8%
9	SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, New York	$9,900	$8,379	46.6%	92.1%
10	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York	$14,229	$8,486	36.0%	86.0%
11	SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, New York	$14,295	$8,712	47.9%	82.7%
12	SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, New York	$15,644	$8,771	53.5%	84.6%
13	SUNY Brockport Brockport, New York	$15,844	$8,678	56.6%	67.9%
14	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, New York	$16,547	$8,881	58.8%	70.2%
15	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231	$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
16	St. Joseph's University-New York Brooklyn, New York	$17,622	$34,535	64.2%	76.7%
17	SUNY College at Geneseo Geneseo, New York	$18,021	$8,966	72.1%	74.9%
18	Canisius University Buffalo, New York	$18,322	$32,720	70.7%	77.7%
19	Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York	$18,430	$10,560	77.8%	49.1%
20	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481	$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
21	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
22	SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, New York	$18,730	$9,206	69.9%	69.5%
23	Niagara University Niagara University, New York	$18,740	$38,135	70.2%	89.6%
24	SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, New York	$18,833	$8,812	70.2%	72.5%
25	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, New York	$19,067	$8,953	61.6%	74.7%
26	D'Youville University Buffalo, New York	$19,585	$33,560	56.7%	84.0%
27	University of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, New York	$19,920	$42,740	57.1%	88.9%
28	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, New York	$19,951	$8,815	68.2%	59.8%
29	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$20,148	$69,045	95.0%	4.0%
30	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470	$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
31	New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, New York	$20,709	$44,360	56.0%	75.7%
32	Houghton University Houghton, New York	$21,148	$17,290	64.7%	77.0%
33	Binghamton University Vestal, New York	$21,364	$10,363	83.6%	41.8%
34	Le Moyne College Syracuse, New York	$21,547	$38,970	71.0%	78.3%
35	St. Francis College Brooklyn, New York	$21,614	$27,570	52.3%	84.3%
36	Utica University Utica, New York	$21,869	$24,308	55.5%	80.9%
37	Alfred University Alfred, New York	$22,701	$39,530	55.5%	50.6%
38	Wells College Aurora, New York	$22,921	$35,166	40.9%	87.7%
39	Russell Sage College Troy, New York	$23,027	$36,756	65.7%	73.6%
40	Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, New York	$23,461	$37,504	63.9%	99.5%
41	Elmira College Elmira, New York	$23,735	$37,932	64.0%	96.0%
42	Mount Saint Mary College Newburgh, New York	$23,736	$41,370	65.7%	88.3%
43	The College of Saint Rose Albany, New York	$23,819	$37,452	51.0%	78.0%
44	Long Island University Brookville, New York	$23,901	$41,642	55.4%	92.7%
45	Manhattanville College Purchase, New York	$25,842	$42,950	53.7%	84.1%
46	Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Albany, New York	$26,027	$40,375	68.8%	66.3%
47	Touro University New York, New York	$26,556	$21,810	65.0%	71.3%
48	Manhattan College Riverdale, New York	$26,881	$50,850	66.0%	82.3%
49	St. John's University-New York Queens, New York	$26,985	$50,110	68.5%	84.7%
50	St Bonaventure University Saint Bonaventure, New York	$27,151	$40,150	70.4%	81.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY chemistry programs so affordable compared to other options?

CUNY schools offer net costs ranging from $2,446 at Hunter to $5,115 at Staten Island, significantly lower than most alternatives. As public institutions, they receive state funding that keeps tuition manageable for residents. The system serves over 270,000 students across multiple campuses, allowing for economies of scale that benefit chemistry majors.

How do graduation rates vary among the most affordable chemistry programs?

Graduation rates span from 19.4% at NYC College of Technology to 61% at Hunter College, showing significant differences in student outcomes. Queens College achieves a solid 60.2% rate while maintaining affordable costs at $3,830 annually. These variations often reflect student preparedness, support services, and campus resources rather than program quality alone.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee better earnings after graduation?

Not necessarily, as the data shows mixed results across price points. Buffalo State costs $14,229 but produces graduates earning $38,289, while Brooklyn College costs just $2,943 yet graduates earn only $10,925. Hunter College offers an excellent middle ground with low costs and graduates earning $21,964 annually.

Where can chemistry graduates find employment opportunities in New York?

New York hosts major pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and environmental testing laboratories throughout the state. The metropolitan area concentrates biotech firms and chemical manufacturers, while upstate regions offer opportunities in materials science and industrial chemistry. Government agencies and academic research centers provide additional career paths for chemistry degree holders.

What factors should students consider beyond just program cost?

Acceptance rates range from 47.86% at Hunter to 92.10% at Old Westbury, affecting admission chances significantly. Student debt levels vary considerably, with some programs reporting debt loads around $9,000 while others exceed $26,000. Location also matters since NYC programs offer internship access but higher living expenses compared to upstate alternatives.

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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.