Affordable colleges in New York

New York colleges by published in-state tuition

Lowest published in-state tuition first. Every figure is as reported by the institution to federal data collections; blank cells are unreported values, not zeros.

What the New York cost data shows

• United States Merchant Marine Academy has the lowest published in-state tuition on this page at $895 per year. Published tuition is the sticker price and excludes housing, food, books, and fees.
• Median average net price is $7,373 across the 39 colleges here that report it. Net price includes housing and other costs, so it can exceed tuition alone.
• 39 of the 40 colleges listed report an average net price, and 39 report a graduation rate. Blank cells mean the institution has not reported that figure to the federal collections — not that the value is zero.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest college in New York?

Of the 40 New York colleges on this page, United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point reports the lowest published in-state tuition at $895 per year. That is the sticker price before aid and before housing and food; the college's net price after grants may rank differently.

Is tuition the same as the total cost of college?

No. Published tuition covers instruction only. Total cost of attendance adds housing, food, books, transportation, and fees. Net price is what students actually paid on average after grant and scholarship aid was applied, and across the 39 New York colleges reporting it here the median is $7,373. Compare all three before deciding a college is or isn't affordable.

Will I personally pay these amounts at a New York college?

Almost certainly not exactly. Net price varies widely by family income, and the figures here are averages across a previous entering class reported to federal collections. Use them to compare colleges against each other, then run the numbers for your own situation with the net price estimator and confirm with each financial aid office.