Cheapest Computer Science Colleges in New York

The CUNY system dominates affordable Computer Science education in New York, with Hunter College leading at just $2,446 net cost annually. Six CUNY campuses rank among the state's most affordable options, creating a stark contrast with private institutions like Mercy University at $15,770. This affordability matters significantly in a state where tech salaries range from $41,565 to $69,338 for Computer Science graduates. New York's position as home to major tech companies, financial firms, and media organizations creates strong demand for programming talent across Manhattan's Silicon Alley and beyond. The graduation rate gap tells an important story, with Hunter College achieving 61% compared to York College's concerning 30.3% rate. SUNY schools fill the middle tier, with Potsdam offering the highest graduate earnings at $69,338 despite its upstate location. Students benefit from New York's TAP grant program, though the high cost of living in NYC metro areas can offset tuition savings. The data reveals that attending a CUNY campus can cost less than $5,000 annually while still providing access to internships and entry-level positions at companies like Google, JPMorgan Chase, and Bloomberg.

Programs

$2,446 – $39,660

Net Price Range

$71,535

Avg. Program Earnings

63.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

45 Computer Science 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 John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, New York	$3,046	$7,470	55.5%	50.7%
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 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	Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, New York	$15,770	$22,106	48.1%	85.9%
14	SUNY Brockport Brockport, New York	$15,844	$8,678	56.6%	67.9%
15	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, New York	$16,547	$8,881	58.8%	70.2%
16	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231	$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
17	St. Joseph's University-New York Brooklyn, New York	$17,622	$34,535	64.2%	76.7%
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	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
21	SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, New York	$18,833	$8,812	70.2%	72.5%
22	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$20,148	$69,045	95.0%	4.0%
23	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470	$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
24	St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, New York	$21,344	$37,720	62.6%	88.6%
25	Binghamton University Vestal, New York	$21,364	$10,363	83.6%	41.8%
26	Wells College Aurora, New York	$22,921	$35,166	40.9%	87.7%
27	Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, New York	$23,461	$37,504	63.9%	99.5%
28	The College of Saint Rose Albany, New York	$23,819	$37,452	51.0%	78.0%
29	Long Island University Brookville, New York	$23,901	$41,642	55.4%	92.7%
30	Touro University New York, New York	$26,556	$21,810	65.0%	71.3%
31	Manhattan College Riverdale, New York	$26,881	$50,850	66.0%	82.3%
32	Wagner College Staten Island, New York	$27,733	$52,000	68.1%	68.5%
33	Iona University New Rochelle, New York	$27,951	$45,880	57.4%	96.4%
34	Colgate University Hamilton, New York	$29,107	$67,024	90.5%	12.4%
35	Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York	$29,694	$57,016	70.8%	67.2%
36	University of Rochester Rochester, New York	$30,248	$64,348	84.5%	38.9%
37	Pace University New York, New York	$31,046	$51,424	61.4%	82.9%
38	Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, New York	$31,771	$63,612	72.7%	46.1%
39	Clarkson University Potsdam, New York	$31,955	$57,950	73.6%	78.4%
40	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$32,337	$66,014	95.1%	7.5%
41	Ithaca College Ithaca, New York	$32,965	$50,510	74.1%	75.2%
42	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York	$33,139	$61,884	83.2%	64.5%
43	New York University New York, New York	$35,035	$60,438	88.5%	12.5%
44	Hofstra University Hempstead, New York	$35,129	$55,450	67.1%	69.3%
45	Marist College Poughkeepsie, New York	$39,660	$46,140	79.8%	62.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Hunter College such an outstanding value for Computer Science?

Hunter College combines the lowest net cost at $2,446 with strong outcomes including 61% graduation rates and $56,415 average earnings. The Manhattan location provides direct access to tech internships and networking opportunities. Students save over $13,000 annually compared to the next cheapest private option while studying in the heart of New York's tech scene.

How do graduation rates vary among New York's cheapest Computer Science programs?

Graduation rates span dramatically from York College's troubling 30.3% to Hunter College's solid 61%. Queens College achieves 60.2% while Brooklyn College maintains 56.6%. This 30-percentage point gap suggests that school choice significantly impacts completion likelihood, even within the same CUNY system.

Is there a connection between school location and Computer Science graduate earnings?

SUNY Potsdam graduates earn the highest salaries at $69,338 despite being located in rural upstate New York. NYC-area schools like Hunter ($56,415) and Queens ($59,873) show competitive earnings. The data suggests that program quality and alumni networks matter more than immediate geographic proximity to tech hubs.

What role does student debt play in these affordable programs?

Debt levels remain remarkably low across CUNY schools, with Hunter graduates owing just $9,553 on average. College of Staten Island shows the highest debt at $17,750 but still maintains strong earnings. Most CUNY Computer Science graduates finish with under $11,000 in debt, making career entry much more manageable.

How do acceptance rates affect admission strategy for budget-conscious students?

Acceptance rates range from Hunter's selective 47.86% to Medgar Evers' open 87.65% admission rate. City College accepts 66.6% of applicants while maintaining 54.7% graduation rates. Students should apply to multiple CUNY campuses since admission difficulty varies significantly even among schools with similar costs.

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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.