2023 Best Online Colleges in New York

Bank Street College of Education is a private, institution offering online graduate degrees. If prospective students are interested in education careers, the college has several online programs for K-12. Popular online master’s degrees at Bank Street include special education, child life, and child life advanced standing. These online master’s degree programs range between 30-42 credit hours, so full-time students can spend four years finishing their degree.

At Bank Street, online students complete courses delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats on the learning management system Canvas. The college prepares students to assume teaching positions by giving them the tools and flexibility to complete their degrees. Financial aid support at Bank Street may include scholarships, grants, and loans. Bank Street’s online student resources are financial aid advising and IT support. Bank Street promotes a student-centered online learning environment that encourages students to share their insights, ask questions, and support each other.

Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, nonprofit university with several online degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels. Examples of online master’s degrees at Columbia include management, social work, and artificial intelligence. Online graduate degrees typically are 30 credit hours at a minimum, which can mean two years with a full class schedule. Columbia’s acceptance rate is 4%, with a graduation rate of 94%.

At Columbia, online students complete courses available in asynchronous and synchronous formats on CourseWorks. Columbia’s student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1. Financial aid support at Columbia may include scholarships, grants, awards, employment, and loans. Online student services include advising, career services, IT support, and financial aid. Online students at Columbia can expect rigorous courses that are flexible and help prepare them for future careers.

Touro University is a private, nonprofit, Jewish institution offering online associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degree programs. Touro’s featured online master’s degrees include marriage and family therapy, industrial and organizational psychology, and human services. At a minimum, these programs can be 36-54 credit hours, so prospective students can expect to spend 2-3 completing these programs. The college accepts 77% of applicants, with 55% graduating.

Touro’s online students complete courses in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Canvas. The student-to-faculty ratio is 38%. Financial aid options for online students at Touro may include scholarships, GI Bill benefits, and loans. Online student services at Touro include advising, disability services, an online library, and career resources. The college also provides LGBTQ+ resources for its students. Touro’s online programs are designed to help students start or advance their careers or achieve personal goals.

New York University (NYU) is a private, nonprofit university that has several online degrees at the graduate level. Some of the online master’s programs at NYU include health administration, human resource management and development, and cybersecurity. Online master’s degrees at NYU are typically 30 credit hours, which can take about two years to finish with a full schedule of classes. The university’s acceptance rate is 13%, with a graduation rate of 85%.

At NYU, online students complete courses available in asynchronous and synchronous formats on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. NYU’s student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1. Types of financial aid online students may be eligible for includes grants, fellowships, loans, payment plans, employee tuition reimbursement, and military and veterans’ benefits. NYU provides online student resources like academic advising, bookstores, an online library, a writing center, and accessibility services. NYU is known for being one of the most diverse universities in the United States regarding the race and ethnicity of its student body.

Excelsior University is a private, nonprofit school offering fully online bachelor's degrees in a range of subjects. The college's most popular program by a large margin is its Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts degree, followed by nursing programs such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Excelsior has an open admissions policy and a 35% graduation rate for bachelor's degree students.

Online learners at Excelsior sign into the Canvas learning platform to complete coursework. Notably, the college caters to working students by exclusively offering part-time degree programs. Classes last eight weeks compared to 12-15 for a traditional college, which may help enrollees finish their degree more quickly.

Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, Jesuit institution that offers online master’s and doctoral degree programs. The university provides LGBTQ resources for online and traditional students. Some of the online master’s degrees available at Fordham include administration and supervision, social work, and management. These graduate programs may be 30 credit hours or more, so students can expect to spend at least two years completing a degree. Fordham’s acceptance rate is 58%, with an 80% graduation rate.

Fordham’s online students complete courses available asynchronously and synchronously on Blackboard. The university’s student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. At Fordham, online students may be eligible for scholarships, loans, and employer tuition assistance. Online students can access a writing center, library resources, disability services, a bookstore, and career resources. Fordham promises students with benefits like opportunity, flexibility, and support.

Marist College is a private, nonprofit college that offers online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some of the online bachelor’s degrees at Marist include professional studies and management. At a minimum, Marist requires 120 credit hours for bachelor’s degrees, which can take full-time students four years to complete. The acceptance rate at Marist is 60%, and it has a graduation rate of 79%.

Marist facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. At Marist, online students may be able to obtain financial aid in the form of scholarships, military and veterans’ benefits, and loans. Marist provides online student services like career services, an online library, international student services, accommodations and accessibility services, and a writing center. The college enforces a student-centered virtual learning environment by ensuring that instructors and students have effective communication.

Pace University is a private, nonprofit institution with online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Popular online bachelor’s degrees at Pace include RN to BSN, business studies, and professional communication studies. Online bachelor’s degrees at Pace are typically 120 credit hours, so prospective students can expect to spend four years completing these programs. Pace’s acceptance rate is 88%, with a 60% graduation rate.

Pace delivers online coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. Pace has a small class size, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid such as grants, scholarships, military and veterans’ benefits, and loans. Pace’s online student resources include accessibility services, counseling, tutoring, and an online library. Pace is a pioneer in online education, providing virtual learning opportunities since 1999.

The public SUNY Empire State College (SUNYES) is a member of the public State University of New York system. The university offers many online bachelor's degrees, including the popular Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree and the Bachelor of Business administration degree (designed for candidates who hold an associate degree in the subject). SUNYES has an open admissions policy, and 47% of students graduate with a degree.

The university uses Brightspace as its learning management system (LMS) to host online courses. Fifty-seven percent of enrollees study part time at this school. In 2022, SUNYES announced that Puerto Rico residents qualify for in-state tuition rates for online degrees due to historic migration ties between New York and Puerto Rico.

Syracuse University is a private, nonprofit university offering online degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Some examples of online master’s degrees at Syracuse include business administration, accounting, and library and information science. These online degrees can range between 30-54 credit hours, which can take full-time students 2-3 years to finish. The university accepts 59% of applicants, with 82% graduating.

Syracuse uses the learning management system Blackboard to facilitate asynchronous and synchronous online learning. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. The types of financial aid available at Syracuse are scholarships, grants, and loans. Online student support includes library resources, disability services, a writing and graduate editing center, IT support, and an online student success center. Syracuse offers flexible online learning, a supportive community, and an alumni network to support online students.

CUNY Lehman College is a public institution offering online degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels. Some of the online bachelor’s degrees at this college are health services administration, nursing, and business administration. A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for bachelor’s degrees, which can take full-time students four years. Lehman is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Lehman accepts 58% of applicants, with 58% graduating.

At Lehman, online students complete courses delivered asynchronously and synchronously on Blackboard. Lehman’s student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. Financial aid support includes grants, loans, and scholarships. Lehman’s online student resources include advising, tutoring, a writing center, and career services. The online learning experience at Lehman includes the use of innovative technologies, face-to-face teaching, and a holistic approach to the development and delivery of distance education programs.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private, nonprofit institution offering several online degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Some of the online master’s degrees available at RIT include business administration, computer science, and health informatics. Online master’s degrees at RIT can range between 30-47 credit hours, which can last 2-3 years. The acceptance rate at RIT is 71%, with a 71% graduation rate.

RIT’s online students complete courses in asynchronous and synchronous formats on myCourses. RIT’s student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. Online students may be able to fund their degrees through scholarships, employment, loans, and grants. Online student support services include academic advising, tutoring, disability services, academic coaching, a writing center, and an online library. RIT states that their online degree programs come with perks like greater earning potential, support and experience from teaching faculty, and a world-class reputation employers respect.

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a public institution that has online master’s degrees. CUNY is an Asian American, Native American, and Hispanic-Serving Institution. Popular online master’s degrees at CUNY include public administration, human rights, and criminal justice. CUNY’s online master’s degrees are typically 36 credit hours, so it can take about 2-3 to finish them. The acceptance rate is 45% at CUNY, with a graduation rate of 57%.

CUNY’s learning management system, Blackboard, delivers asynchronous coursework. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid such as loans, veterans’ benefits, tuition assistance programs, and employer tuition reimbursement. Online student services at CUNY include tutoring, an online library, accessibility services, advising, and military support services. CUNY offers small class sizes, with courses often having no more than 20 online students.

SUNY College of Technology (SUNY Delhi) at Delhi is a public university featuring a few online bachelor's degree programs. One of the school's most popular degree programs is available online: a RN-to-BSN degree that grants a Bachelor of Science in Nursing credential to registered nurses. This degree's coursework is online, but BSN candidates must complete several hundred in-person practicum hours to graduate. The Bachelor of Business Administration in Hotel and Restaurant Management is another program with relatively high enrollment.

SUNY Delhi has a 65% acceptance rate and a 52% graduation rate for bachelor's enrollees. The college uses the Moodle LMS to deliver online courses. Around 31% of students take only online courses, but another 39% take a mix of online and on-campus classes.

LIM College (LIM) is a private, for-profit institution offering online degree programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Popular online bachelor’s degrees at LIM include fashion merchandising, business of fashion, and fashion marketing. Typically, bachelor’s degrees at LIM are 121-122 credit hours, which can take four years to complete. LIM’s acceptance rate is 84%, with a 58% graduation rate.

At LIM, online students complete courses delivered asynchronously on Canvas. LIM’s student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Online students at LIM may be eligible for loans, grants, and scholarships. Online student support services at LIM include advising, counseling, IT support, accessibility services, learning centers, a bookstore, counseling, and international student services. LIM provides flexible online degree programs that students can complete on their own time.

Mercy College is a private institution that offers about two dozen bachelor's degrees online. Population options include the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: General Business degree and the Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree. The college features an 82% bachelor's degree acceptance rate and a 49% graduation rate for the same population.

Mercy's online students log in to the Blackboard LMS to watch recorded lectures, interact with classmates, and submit assignments. Forty-three percent of students identify as Hispanic or Latinx people at this federally recognized Hispanic-serving institution. About 21% of all Mercy students study online exclusively, but another 51% take at least some distance classes.

At St. John’s University — a private, nonprofit, Roman Catholic, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution — prospective students can pursue online degree programs at the master’s and doctorate levels. St. John’s offers several specializations in library and information science at the master’s levels, like youth services, academic librarianship, and archival studies. The online master’s programs are 36 credit hours, which can take full-time students four years to finish. The LGBTQ+ Center provides support to students identifying with the LGBTQ+ community. The acceptance rate at St. John’s is 85%, with a 64% graduation rate.

St. John’s facilitates asynchronous online learning on the learning management system Canvas. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. St. John’s offers or accepts financial aid like scholarships, veterans’ benefits, loans, and grants. Online student support services at St. John’s include tutoring, career services, a writing center, and library resources. The university aims to help adult learners obtain a high-quality education in a flexible format.

Stony Brook University (SBU) is a public university that has online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Popular online master’s degrees at SBU include nutrition, human resource management, and business administration. These online programs range between 30-48 credit hours, so prospective students can expect to spend 2-3 years getting their degree. SBU accepts 48% of applicants, with 76% graduating.

At SBU, online students complete coursework delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats on the learning management system Blackboard. SBU’s student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. Financial aid support at SBU includes grants, scholarships, loans, veterans’ benefits, and New York State aid. SBU’s online student resources include academic advising, a career center, a bookstore, financial aid, counseling, and IT support. For students interested in healthcare careers, SBU provides several online degrees in healthcare, like nursing and health informatics.

Utica University, a private institution, provides more than a dozen fully online bachelor's degree options. By enrollment, the largest of these is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN), followed by the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. Utica also has a security and criminal justice focus, with online bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity and fraud and financial investigations. The school accepts 86% of bachelor's candidates and graduates 51% of them with a degree.

Utica's online learners sign in to Canvas to complete coursework. Eighty-four percent of Utica students attend college full time, and one-third of them are fully online learners. Another 31% take at least some online classes.

At the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) — a private, nonprofit institution — prospective students may pursue online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. NYIT is an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. Popular online master’s degrees at NYIT include early childhood education, mental health counseling, and energy management. Online master’s degrees can range from 30-60 credit hours, so prospective students can expect to spend 2-3 years completing their programs. NYIT accepts 80% of applicants, with 53% graduating.

NYIT’s online students complete courses asynchronously and synchronously via Blackboard. NYIT’s student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. Potential financial aid opportunities include scholarships, loans, grants, veterans’ benefits, and tuition assistance programs. Online student support services at NYIT are advising, tutoring, a writing center, supplemental instruction, library resources, accessibility services, and financial assistance. All NYIT’s online programs are accredited, fully online, and taught by industry experts.

SUNY at Albany (UAlbany) is a public institution that offers online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Online master’s degrees at UAlbany include business administration, public health, and early childhood education. Typically, online master’s degrees are between 30-56 credit hours, which can be two years or more, depending on the program. UAlbany accepts 68% of applicants, with 66% graduating.

UAlbany facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system Blackboard. The student-to-faculty ratio at UAlbany is 18:1. Online student financial aid at UAlbany may include scholarships, grants, payment plans, and loans. The university offers online student resources like academic advising, tutoring, disability services, career services, library resources, and financial aid assistance. UAlbany offers top-tier and online academic programs to help students achieve their career goals.

Alliance University (AU), formerly known as Nyack College, is a private, nonprofit, and Christian university offering online degrees at associate and bachelor’s levels. AU is a Christ and Missionary Alliance Church and a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Online bachelor’s degrees at AU include psychology, childhood special education, and biblical studies. Online bachelor’s degrees at AU are 120 credit hours, which can take four years to finish. AU’s acceptance rate is 100%, with a 41% graduation rate.

At AU, online students complete courses available asynchronously and synchronously through the learning management system D2L Brightspace. AU’s student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. Online students may be able to obtain financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants. AU’s online student resources include financial aid, academic advising, disability support, and a testing and tutoring center. AU offers a diverse selection of faith-based undergraduate degrees prospective students can pursue.

SUNY College at Brockport (SUNY Brockport) is a public institution offering online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Examples of online bachelor’s degrees at SUNY Brockport include business administration, nursing, and healthcare administration. A bachelor’s degree can require 120 credit hours, which can take full-time students four years to finish. SUNY Brockport accepts 76% of applicants, with a 68% graduation rate.

At SUNY Brockport, online students complete courses delivered asynchronously and synchronously on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. SUNY Brockport’s student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid such as grants, scholarships, and loans. Online student services at SUNY Brockport include IT support, a bookstore, an online library, advising, tutoring, and accessibility services. SUNY Brockport offers over 100 online degree programs with curriculums designed to meet students’ career goals.

SUNY College at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) is a public university offering online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some of the online bachelor’s degrees are public relations, business administration, and criminal justice. These online undergraduate programs can range between 120-127, so full-time students can complete them in around four years. The school accepts 80% of applicants, with 66% graduating.

At SUNY Oswego, online students use the learning management system D2L Brightspace to complete courses asynchronously and synchronously. SUNY Oswego’s student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Potential financial opportunities for online students include scholarships, grants, loans, and tax credits. Online student support at SUNY Oswego includes financial aid assistance, advising, accessibility services, transfer services, tutoring, tech support, career services, and veteran and military services. Prospective students can get quality distance education at the same tuition rates as traditional programs.

Berkeley College is a private, for-profit college offering online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Popular online bachelor’s degrees include general business, health services administration, and management. Typically, online bachelor’s degrees at Berkeley College are 120 credit hours, which can take four years to complete. The college accepts 100% of applicants, with 40% graduating.

At Berkeley College, online students complete courses asynchronously and synchronously through the learning management system Canvas. The college’s student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1. Potential financial aid opportunities for online students include grants, scholarships, and loans. Online student support includes an online library, tutoring, virtual study groups, a writing aid, financial aid, and individual study plan sessions. Berkeley College has been a leader in online education for more than 20 years by delivering quality, career-focused distance education programs.

At St. Bonaventure University Online (SBU) — a private, nonprofit, Roman Catholic university — prospective students can pursue online degrees at the master’s level. Some of the online master’s online degrees include digital journalism, business administration, and school counseling. Typically, online master’s degrees can be 30 credit hours or more, with full-time students spending 2-3 years finishing their degrees. SBU’s acceptance rate is 78%, with a 70% graduation rate.

SBU’s online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats on the learning management system Moodle. The student-to-faculty ratio at SBU is 11:1. Potential financial aid opportunities for online students at SBU include scholarships, grants, loans, and a tuition assistance program. Online student support includes financial aid services, counseling, career planning, tech support, tutoring, accessibility services, and international student services. SBU also has clubs and organizations for LGBTQIA+ students. SBU promises 100% online programs taught by expert teaching faculty.

At Monroe College — a private, for-profit institution — future students can pursue online associate and bachelor’s degree programs. Popular online associate degrees at Monroe include medical administration, criminal justice, and business administration. Typically, online associate degrees at Monroe are 60-61 credit hours, which can take about two years to finish with a full schedule of classes. Monroe’s acceptance rate is 39%, with a 68% graduation rate.

Monroe facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. Monroe’s student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Online students may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans, and New York state aid. Monroe’s online student resources include tutoring, personalized student services, advising, counseling, and disability services. The college offers 7.5-week mini-semesters or 15-week semesters to fit students’ academic needs.

The University at Buffalo (UB) is a public institution that offers online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Online master’s degrees at UB include English education, school librarianship, and mental health counseling. UB’s online master’s degree can be 15-138 credit hours, which can take 1-5 years to complete with a full class schedule. UB’s acceptance rate is 70%, with a 72% graduation rate.

UB facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on Blackboard. UB’s student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. Online students at UB may be eligible for grants, scholarships, loans, and veterans’ benefits. Online student support at UB includes a writing center, international student services, academic success centers, accessibility services, counseling services, tutoring, and financial aid. UB delivers high-quality online learning experiences across several specializations.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is a public institution with online degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels. Popular online bachelor’s degrees include nursing, health informatics, and business administration. These programs can be 124 credit hours or more, which can take four years to complete with a full schedule of classes. SUNY Poly’s acceptance rate is 77%, with a graduation rate of 63%.

SUNY Poly uses the learning management system Blackboard to deliver asynchronous and synchronous online courses. SUNY Poly’s student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. Online students may be eligible for scholarships, loans, and grants. SUNY Poly provides online student resources like a bookstore, career services, counseling, financial aid assistance, and an online library. SUNY Poly is approved by the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), meaning they meet the national standards to deliver distance education programs.

At SUNY College of Technology at Canton (SUNY Canton), prospective students can pursue online associate and bachelor’s degree programs. Some online bachelor’s degrees include legal studies, nursing, and criminal justice. At a minimum, 120 credit hours are required for graduation, which can take four years for full-time students. The acceptance rate at SUNY Canton is 95%, with a 52% graduation rate.

SUNY Canton’s online students complete courses available asynchronously and synchronously on D2L Brightspace. SUNY Canton’s student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. Potential financial aid opportunities at SUNY Canton include grants, loans, and scholarships. Online student support services include financial aid, tech support, accessibility services, counseling, advising, and career services. SUNY Canton offers over 23 online degree programs and more than 450 online courses.

SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (Alfred State) is a public college offering online degree programs at the associate and bachelor's levels. Sample online bachelor’s degrees at Alfred State include nursing, construction supervision, and technology management. At a minimum, online bachelor’s degrees may be 123 credit hours, which can take full-time students four years. The college’s acceptance rate is 82%, with a graduation rate of 59%.

At Alfred State, online students complete coursework delivered synchronously on the learning management system Canvas. The college’s student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Alfred State accepts or offers financial aid for online students, like scholarships, grants, loans, and a tuition assistance program. Online students can access tutoring, career development, and technology support. At Alfred State, online students get real-time, helpful instructor feedback from an institution with over 30 years of distance learning experience.

Bryant & Stratton College Online is a private, for-profit institution that offers online associate and bachelor’s degrees. Popular online associate degrees at this college are human resources specialist, accounting, and hospitality management restaurant and hotel services. These online associate degrees are 60 credit hours, so full-time students can spend two years to finish. Bryant & Stratton’s acceptance rate is 100%, with a graduation rate of 16%.

Bryant & Stratton facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on its learning management system. The student-to-faculty ratio at Bryant & Stratton is 41:1. Online students may be eligible for loans, grants, military benefits, tuition reimbursement, and scholarships. Online students at Bryant & Stratton can access a bookstore, career services, and financial aid. Online students can expect an interactive learning environment, where instructors are highly engaged in delivering online classes.

Northeastern Seminary (NES) is a private, Wesleyan institution part of Roberts Wesleyan University that provides online master’s and doctorate degree programs. According to NES’s Academic Catalog. The school encourages students to refrain from sexual activities outside of a heterosexual relationship. A few of the online master’s degrees at NES include divinity, spiritual formation, and theological studies. These online master’s degrees are typically 44 credit hours, which may take full-time students two or more years to complete. The acceptance rate is 87%, with a 67% graduation rate.

NES facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on a learning management system. NES’s student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. Online students at NES may be eligible for financial aid, such as loans, scholarships, and military and veterans’ benefits. Online student resources include academic coordination, disability services, writing support, career services, and counseling. NES delivers biblically-based online programs.