Cheapest Journalism Colleges in New York

CUNY Brooklyn College delivers journalism education for just $2,943 in net costs, making it nearly ten times cheaper than some private alternatives in the state. The City University of New York system dominates the most affordable options, with four CUNY campuses claiming the top spots under $5,000 annually. This pricing advantage matters significantly in New York, where media giants like The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and major television networks offer internships and entry-level positions that often require unpaid or low-paid experience. Graduates from the most affordable programs earn between $15,922 and $31,581, while those from pricier institutions like Stony Brook reach $38,289. The stark contrast between CUNY's sub-$5,000 costs and private schools charging over $17,000 net prices creates distinct pathways into New York's media market, where proximity to newsrooms and publishing houses can offset lower starting salaries.

Programs

$2,943 – $42,581

Net Price Range

$30,639

Avg. Program Earnings

61.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

27 Journalism Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, New York	$2,943	$7,452	56.6%	54.5%
2	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, New York	$2,978	$7,464	72.1%	49.5%
3	CUNY Lehman College Bronx, New York	$3,482	$7,410	49.3%	55.3%
4	CUNY York College Jamaica, New York	$4,734	$7,358	30.3%	59.1%
5	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York	$14,229	$8,486	36.0%	86.0%
6	SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, New York	$15,644	$8,771	53.5%	84.6%
7	SUNY Brockport Brockport, New York	$15,844	$8,678	56.6%	67.9%
8	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, New York	$16,547	$8,881	58.8%	70.2%
9	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231	$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
10	SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, New York	$17,393	$8,769	31.9%	87.2%
11	St. Joseph's University-New York Brooklyn, New York	$17,622	$34,535	64.2%	76.7%
12	Canisius University Buffalo, New York	$18,322	$32,720	70.7%	77.7%
13	Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York	$18,430	$10,560	77.8%	49.1%
14	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481	$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
15	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
16	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, New York	$19,067	$8,953	61.6%	74.7%
17	Utica University Utica, New York	$21,869	$24,308	55.5%	80.9%
18	Long Island University Brookville, New York	$23,901	$41,642	55.4%	92.7%
19	St. John's University-New York Queens, New York	$26,985	$50,110	68.5%	84.7%
20	St Bonaventure University Saint Bonaventure, New York	$27,151	$40,150	70.4%	81.1%
21	Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York	$29,694	$57,016	70.8%	67.2%
22	Pace University New York, New York	$31,046	$51,424	61.4%	82.9%
23	Ithaca College Ithaca, New York	$32,965	$50,510	74.1%	75.2%
24	Hofstra University Hempstead, New York	$35,129	$55,450	67.1%	69.3%
25	Marymount Manhattan College New York, New York	$37,037	$40,260	49.8%	72.1%
26	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$41,026	$63,061	81.4%	51.8%
27	Fordham University Bronx, New York	$42,581	$61,992	80.3%	54.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools so much cheaper than other journalism programs in New York?

CUNY schools receive substantial state funding that keeps net costs under $5,000 for the top four programs. CUNY Brooklyn College costs just $2,943 net, while Baruch follows at $2,978. These public institutions benefit from New York's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants that further reduce expenses for in-state students. Private alternatives like St. Joseph's University-New York charge $17,622 net, nearly six times more than Brooklyn College.

How do graduation rates compare between the cheapest and most expensive journalism programs?

The data reveals mixed outcomes across price points. CUNY York College, the fourth cheapest at $4,734, graduates only 30.3% of students, while CUNY Baruch at $2,978 achieves a 72.1% graduation rate. Stony Brook University, despite its higher $18,430 net cost, leads with 77.8% graduation rates. The cheapest option, CUNY Brooklyn College, maintains a solid 56.6% graduation rate at just $2,943.

Does attending a more expensive journalism program guarantee higher earnings?

Not necessarily, based on the earnings data. Stony Brook graduates earn the highest at $38,289 despite moderate costs of $18,430. Meanwhile, CUNY Baruch graduates earn $31,581 while paying only $2,978 in net costs. CUNY York College shows the lowest earnings at $15,922, suggesting program quality and location matter more than price alone. The most affordable options can still lead to competitive starting salaries in New York's media market.

Where should journalism students focus their applications for the best value?

CUNY Baruch College offers strong value with $2,978 net costs, 72.1% graduation rates, and $31,581 starting earnings. SUNY New Paltz provides another strong option at $18,481 with graduates earning $36,085 and a 68.9% graduation rate. Students should also consider CUNY Brooklyn College for rock-bottom costs of $2,943. These programs combine affordability with solid outcomes and proximity to New York City's media industry.

Is the high cost of living in New York worth it for journalism students?

New York's media concentration justifies the higher living costs for many journalism students. The state hosts major newspapers, television networks, digital media companies, and publishing houses that provide internship and job opportunities. Starting salaries range from $15,922 to $38,289, which can support living expenses when combined with affordable tuition at CUNY schools. Students benefit from networking opportunities and industry connections that smaller markets cannot match, potentially accelerating career advancement despite initial financial challenges.

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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.