Cheapest Public Health Colleges in New York

CUNY Hunter College stands out among New York's public health programs with a net cost of just $2,446, yet graduates earn $39,585 annually, the highest among the state's most affordable options. This dramatic gap between investment and return reflects the strength of New York's healthcare economy, where public health professionals work across the state's massive hospital systems, the NYC Department of Health, and global health organizations headquartered in Manhattan. The 20 cheapest programs span from Hunter's bargain to $18,486, with CUNY schools claiming five of the top six spots. Public institutions dominate the affordable tier, though their graduation rates vary widely from 19% at NYC College of Technology to 61% at Hunter. New York's Tuition Assistance Program helps residents access these programs, particularly important given the state's high living costs that can offset low tuition advantages.

Programs

$2,446 – $41,026

Net Price Range

$33,938

Avg. Program Earnings

56.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

41 Public Health 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 Lehman College Bronx, New York	$3,482	$7,410	49.3%	55.3%
3	CUNY City College New York, New York	$3,486	$7,340	54.7%	66.6%
4	CUNY Queens College Queens, New York	$3,830	$7,538	60.2%	69.5%
5	CUNY York College Jamaica, New York	$4,734	$7,358	30.3%	59.1%
6	CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, New York	$4,783	$7,332	19.4%	81.8%
7	SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, New York	$9,900	$8,379	46.6%	92.1%
8	Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North Liverpool, New York	$9,972	$19,310	25.0%
9	Monroe College Bronx, New York	$10,376	$17,922	57.5%	59.8%
10	Bryant & Stratton College-Albany Albany, New York	$12,452	$18,892	22.0%
11	SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, New York	$13,882	$8,578	59.2%	81.7%
12	Villa Maria College Buffalo, New York	$13,980	$28,670	31.0%	78.2%
13	Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$14,117	$19,126	27.5%
14	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York	$14,229	$8,486	36.0%	86.0%
15	SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, New York	$14,295	$8,712	47.9%	82.7%
16	Bryant & Stratton College-Online Orchard Park, New York	$14,642	$15,891	18.3%
17	Bryant & Stratton College-Greece Rochester, New York	$14,664	$19,593	30.4%
18	SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton, New York	$15,001	$8,689	44.1%	94.9%
19	SUNY Brockport Brockport, New York	$15,844	$8,678	56.6%	67.9%
20	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
21	D'Youville University Buffalo, New York	$19,585	$33,560	56.7%	84.0%
22	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, New York	$19,951	$8,815	68.2%	59.8%
23	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$20,148	$69,045	95.0%	4.0%
24	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470	$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
25	Russell Sage College Troy, New York	$23,027	$36,756	65.7%	73.6%
26	The College of Saint Rose Albany, New York	$23,819	$37,452	51.0%	78.0%
27	Long Island University Brookville, New York	$23,901	$41,642	55.4%	92.7%
28	Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Albany, New York	$26,027	$40,375	68.8%	66.3%
29	Manhattan College Riverdale, New York	$26,881	$50,850	66.0%	82.3%
30	St Bonaventure University Saint Bonaventure, New York	$27,151	$40,150	70.4%	81.1%
31	St. John Fisher University Rochester, New York	$28,150	$39,666	74.4%	73.1%
32	Hartwick College Oneonta, New York	$29,800	$52,849	46.2%	59.7%
33	University of Rochester Rochester, New York	$30,248	$64,348	84.5%	38.9%
34	Nazareth University Rochester, New York	$30,521	$40,880	72.9%	83.9%
35	Pace University New York, New York	$31,046	$51,424	61.4%	82.9%
36	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$32,337	$66,014	95.1%	7.5%
37	Ithaca College Ithaca, New York	$32,965	$50,510	74.1%	75.2%
38	New York University New York, New York	$35,035	$60,438	88.5%	12.5%
39	Hofstra University Hempstead, New York	$35,129	$55,450	67.1%	69.3%
40	Marymount Manhattan College New York, New York	$37,037	$40,260	49.8%	72.1%
41	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$41,026	$63,061	81.4%	51.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Hunter College such a strong value for public health students?

Hunter College combines the lowest net cost at $2,446 with the highest graduate earnings at $39,585 among affordable New York programs. The school maintains a competitive 48% acceptance rate while achieving a 61% graduation rate. Students benefit from Hunter's Manhattan location, providing direct access to internships and career opportunities across the city's vast healthcare network.

How do graduation rates compare across New York's cheapest public health programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically, from just 19% at CUNY New York City College of Technology to 61% at Hunter College. Queens College achieves a strong 60% graduation rate at a net cost of $3,830, while York College struggles with only 30% despite reasonable costs. These differences highlight the importance of examining outcomes beyond price when choosing programs.

Is there a significant cost difference between CUNY and SUNY public health programs?

CUNY schools consistently offer lower net costs, with five programs under $5,000 compared to SUNY options starting around $9,900 at Old Westbury. SUNY Buffalo State costs $14,229 net despite similar in-state tuition to CUNY schools. However, SUNY programs often show higher graduation rates, with Polytechnic Institute achieving 59% compared to mixed CUNY performance.

Does attending private schools for public health in New York lead to better earnings?

Private school graduates don't necessarily out-earn public school alumni in public health fields. Monroe College graduates earn $34,388 while Hunter College graduates make $39,585 despite much lower costs. Bryant & Stratton graduates across three campuses earn just $32,439 but carry debt loads of $44,953. The data suggests public options provide better financial returns in this field.

Where do public health graduates find the best job opportunities in New York?

New York's healthcare sector employs over 800,000 people, creating extensive opportunities for public health professionals. Major health systems like NYU Langone and Mount Sinai hire program graduates, while the NYC Department of Health offers government positions. The state's concentration of pharmaceutical companies, medical research institutions, and international health organizations provides career paths beyond traditional clinical settings.

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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.