Cheapest Physical Sciences Colleges in New York

CUNY Hunter College delivers the state's most affordable Physical Sciences program at just $2,446 net cost, creating a $33,554 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options. New York's concentration of national laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions provides strong career pathways for physics and chemistry graduates. The eight programs span from Hunter's bargain tuition to Union College's $36,000 price tag, with graduation rates varying dramatically from 29% to 95% across institutions.

Programs

$2,446 – $36,000

Net Price Range

$39,909

Avg. Program Earnings

71.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Physical Sciences, Other 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	Empire State University Saratoga Springs, New York	$11,147	$7,630	29.3%
3	Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York	$18,430	$10,560	77.8%	49.1%
4	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$20,148	$69,045	95.0%	4.0%
5	Russell Sage College Troy, New York	$23,027	$36,756	65.7%	73.6%
6	Hobart William Smith Colleges Geneva, New York	$31,057	$63,268	72.7%	68.4%
7	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York	$33,139	$61,884	83.2%	64.5%
8	Union College Schenectady, New York	$36,000	$66,456	85.3%	46.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Hunter College so much cheaper than other Physical Sciences programs?

Hunter College costs only $2,446 net compared to Union College's $36,000, largely due to its public funding and location within the CUNY system. The $7,382 in-state tuition combined with financial aid creates this strong value while maintaining a solid 61% graduation rate.

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

Columbia University achieves a 95% graduation rate at $20,148 net cost, while Empire State University graduates only 29% of students despite charging $11,147. This suggests that program structure and student support matter more than price alone for completion success.

Does attending a more expensive Physical Sciences program lead to higher earnings?

Union College graduates earn $39,909 despite paying the highest net cost of $36,000 among these programs. The relatively modest earnings compared to the investment cost suggests students should carefully weigh financial return against educational debt in this field.

More Physical Sciences, Other Rankings

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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.