Cheapest Visual and Performing Arts Colleges in New York

CUNY Lehman College stands out with a net price of just $3,482 for Visual and Performing Arts, General students, making it nearly $2,400 cheaper than the next most affordable option. This dramatic cost advantage reflects New York's public university system serving students in the nation's media capital, where Broadway theaters, Lincoln Center, and countless galleries create unparalleled opportunities for arts graduates. The state's 15 most affordable programs span from $3,482 to $19,951 in net costs, with public institutions dominating the lower end while private colleges like Villa Maria College reach $13,980. Graduation rates vary significantly across price points, from Medgar Evers College's 22.3% to Canisius University's 70.7%. New York's entertainment industry employs over 90,000 people, providing career paths for visual arts graduates in film production, advertising, museum curation, and digital media companies headquartered in Manhattan.

Programs

$3,482 – $55,359

Net Price Range

$28,262

Avg. Program Earnings

59.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Visual and Performing Arts, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY Lehman College Bronx, New York	$3,482	$7,410	49.3%	55.3%
2	CUNY Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, New York	$5,881	$7,352	22.3%	87.7%
3	SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, New York	$9,900	$8,379	46.6%	92.1%
4	Empire State University Saratoga Springs, New York	$11,147	$7,630	29.3%
5	The College of Westchester White Plains, New York	$11,669	$24,705	32.1%	95.5%
6	Villa Maria College Buffalo, New York	$13,980	$28,670	31.0%	78.2%
7	SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, New York	$14,295	$8,712	47.9%	82.7%
8	SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, New York	$15,644	$8,771	53.5%	84.6%
9	Daemen University Amherst, New York	$18,244	$33,724	58.4%	79.9%
10	Canisius University Buffalo, New York	$18,322	$32,720	70.7%	77.7%
11	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481	$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
12	SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, New York	$18,833	$8,812	70.2%	72.5%
13	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, New York	$19,067	$8,953	61.6%	74.7%
14	University of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, New York	$19,920	$42,740	57.1%	88.9%
15	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, New York	$19,951	$8,815	68.2%	59.8%
16	New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, New York	$20,709	$44,360	56.0%	75.7%
17	St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, New York	$21,344	$37,720	62.6%	88.6%
18	Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, New York	$23,461	$37,504	63.9%	99.5%
19	Long Island University Brookville, New York	$23,901	$41,642	55.4%	92.7%
20	St Bonaventure University Saint Bonaventure, New York	$27,151	$40,150	70.4%	81.1%
21	Iona University New Rochelle, New York	$27,951	$45,880	57.4%	96.4%
22	Siena College Loudonville, New York	$32,697	$44,405	75.8%	80.4%
23	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York	$33,139	$61,884	83.2%	64.5%
24	Barnard College New York, New York	$39,253	$66,246	92.9%	8.8%
25	Fordham University Bronx, New York	$42,581	$61,992	80.3%	54.1%
26	The New School New York, New York	$55,359	$56,386	71.2%	57.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $16,000 gap between the cheapest and most expensive affordable programs?

CUNY Lehman College's $3,482 net price reflects substantial state funding and need-based aid, while SUNY Cortland reaches $19,951 despite being public. Private institutions like Villa Maria College at $13,980 fall between these extremes. Public universities receive state appropriations that significantly reduce student costs, particularly within the CUNY and SUNY systems.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in these affordable options?

Higher-cost programs generally achieve better graduation rates, with Canisius University at $18,322 reaching 70.7% completion compared to Medgar Evers College's 22.3% at $5,881. SUNY New Paltz demonstrates an exception, combining a moderate $18,481 cost with a strong 68.9% graduation rate. This pattern suggests that slightly higher investment often yields better completion outcomes.

What earning potential do graduates face after completing these programs?

Available salary data shows a concerning range from $19,227 at SUNY Purchase to $36,141 at Empire State University. SUNY Purchase graduates face particular challenges despite the program's proximity to New York City's art scene. Empire State University's higher earnings reflect its focus on adult learners who often continue working while studying.

Does location within New York significantly impact program affordability?

CUNY schools in the Bronx and Brooklyn offer the lowest net prices at $3,482 and $5,881 respectively, benefiting from urban campus efficiencies and higher need-based aid distribution. Rural SUNY campuses like Fredonia and Oneonta cost around $15,000-$19,000 despite lower regional living costs. New York City proximity doesn't necessarily increase program costs due to strong public funding.

Where do these programs accept the highest percentage of applicants?

The College of Westchester accepts 95.45% of applicants, followed by SUNY Old Westbury at 92.10% and Medgar Evers College at 87.65%. These high acceptance rates provide accessible entry points for Visual and Performing Arts students. More selective options include CUNY Lehman College at 55.31% and SUNY New Paltz at 58.27%, which maintain stronger admission standards while remaining affordable.

More Visual and Performing Arts, General 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.