2023 Best Online Community Colleges in New York

Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) is a public institution with a variety of options for programs that are completely online, partially online, or include a hybrid delivery format. Online coursework is mostly taken through the Brightspace LMS, with some delivered synchronously and others asynchronously. There are only 10 fully online options available — including an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration, an Associate of Arts in Psychology, and an Associate of Arts in Humanities - Creative Writing. SCCC only offers one online certificate, which is available in accounting.

For additional resources for online students, the school includes a virtual orientation, course advisement, and digital libraries, as well as career, mental health, personal, and academic counseling. Some courses may require proctored exams that take place on campus. It's recommended that students check with an advisor during enrollment.

Monroe Community College (MCC) is a public institution situated in Rochester, NY. It's a member of the State University System of New York (SUNY System) — the largest university system in the United States. Within this network, MCC has been awarded over 120 SUNY Chancellor's Awards for excellence in teaching, professional service, and scholarships, among other areas.

The school offers over 200 online courses through Brightspace's learning management system (LMS). There are 18 programs students can complete 100% online and asynchronously, with dozens more that feature mostly online coursework. Among the fully online programs are degrees such as an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, an Associate of Applied Science in Child Care Practitioner, as well as certificate programs in personal training, hospitality, and dental assisting. Online students can also receive academic advising and counseling services.

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) is a public college located in Troy, NY. They offer a slate of online programs that include certificates and associate degrees in the arts, sciences, applied sciences, and occupational studies. Some examples include an Associate of Arts in Business Administration, an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, and a Certificate in IT Help Desk Support. Some degrees may require on-campus labs or proctored exams. However, HVCC notes that remote students may work with advisors to ensure they can complete entire degrees online through the Blackboard LMS.

Remote students may take advantage of educational resources, such as academic counseling, one-on-one English and Math tutoring, and even a computer loan program. Furthermore, HVCC promotes itself as a school that offers opportunities to underserved and underrepresented students through a motivational support system, referrals to tutoring programs, life coaching, and local community assistance.

Onondaga Community College (OCC) is a public college offering online associate degree programs. OCC’s featured associate degree programs are creative writing and health information technology. Online students must complete at least 60 credit hours, which can take two years with a full schedule of classes. The acceptance rate at OCC is 100%, with a 24% graduation rate.

OCC facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on a learning management system. OCC’s student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid like scholarships, grants, loans, veterans’ benefits, and the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Online students at OCC can access an online library, financial aid assistance, tutoring, and counseling. OCC offers over 100 online courses each semester in fully online, hybrid, and web-enhanced courses.

Broome Community College (BCC) is a public college and a member of the SUNY System of New York colleges. Overall, 23 online programs are available for remote students, all of which are delivered entirely online through the Blackboard LMS. BCC offers 10 additional programs that require at least 50% online participation and some campus or in-person instruction. Here are three examples of fully online degrees and certificates: Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology, Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Certificate in Histological Technician. BCC has partnerships with three local universities, Bellevue University, Excelsior University, and SUNY Empire State College, that offer an easy transfer of credits to a bachelor's degree.

Along with each online program comes six variances on the instructional method including Distance Learning Asynch, Distance Learning Synch Proctored, and Distance Learning Asynch (Blended). These distinctions determine whether students can study or take exams on their own time or adhere to a more structured schedule. Online students can complete orientation online and take advantage of academic advising, tutoring, and mental health counseling.

Genesee Community College (GCC) is a public institution with online degrees at the associate level. Popular online associate degrees at GCC include liberal arts and science, criminal justice, and business administration. Typically, these undergraduate programs range between 62-63 credit hours, prospective students can expect to spend two years completing these degrees. The college accepts 100% of applicants, with 31% graduating.

GCC’s online students complete courses available asynchronously and synchronously through the learning management system D2L Brightspace. GCC’s student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. Potential financial aid opportunities at GCC include grants, scholarships, and loans. Online student support services include IT support, tutoring, transfer services, and veteran services. GCC offers several delivery options for online learning to fit each student’s needs.

Erie Community College (ECC) is a SUNY System institution located in Buffalo, NY. They feature flexible, online programs and easy transfer options to four-year universities. There are 11 degrees and certificates that students can finish 100% online through the Brightspace platform. Options include an Associate of Arts in Humanities, a Certificate in Support Technology, and an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration. Additionally, 10 options are available for partially online programs in the fields of entrepreneurship, homeland security, legal studies, emergency management, and physical education. ECC's Classroom to Career Career Certificates allows students to balance a work-life schedule while they prepare for a career change or advancement. Furthermore, online students can take advantage of academic advising and career services that include planning, job search, and employer services.

Jefferson Community College (JCC) is a public institution offering several online degrees at the associate level. Popular online associate degrees at JCC include criminal justice, liberal arts, and business administration. JCC’s online programs can range between 62-63 credit hours, which typically takes two years to finish. JCC’s acceptance rate is 100%, with a graduation rate of 29%.

At JCC, online students complete coursework available in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Blackboard. JCC’s student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid like grants, scholarships, loans, military and veteran’s aid, and tuition assistance programs. Online student support includes advising, career planning and job placement services, military and veteran support, academic coaching, accessibility services, and an online library. JCC offers online associate degree programs that students can use to successfully transfer to four-year universities.

Prospective students can find several online degrees at the associate level at Herkimer County Community College, a public community college. Some of the online associate degrees include accounting, criminal justice, and business administration. Online associate degrees at Herkimer can range between 62-64 credit hours, which can take full-time students approximately two years to complete. The acceptance rate at Herkimer is 100%, and it has a graduation rate of 36%.

Herkimer’s online students take courses asynchronously and synchronously on the school’s learning management system. Herkimer’s student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. Potential financial aid options for online students at Herkimer include grants, tuition assistance programs, and scholarships. Online students can access academic advising, an online library, tutoring, a bookstore, transfer services, and career services. Herkimer offers a premiere two-year SUNY experience in a digital format.

Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) is a public college offering online associate degrees. Online associate degrees at FLCC include business administration, liberal arts and sciences, and accounting. At a minimum, students must complete 32 credit hours or more at FLCC, which typically takes at least one year, sometimes longer. The acceptance rate at FLCC is 100%, and its graduation rate is 29%.

At FLCC, online students complete coursework delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats on D2L Brightspace. The student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. FLCC may accept or offer financial aid — such as grants, scholarships, and loans. Online student services include advising, career services, and counseling. FLCC offers accredited online programs that enable students to explore their academic interests and career paths.

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.

At Cayuga Community College, a public institution that offers online degree programs at the associate levels. Online associate degrees include business administration, liberal arts and science, and criminal justice. These degrees can be between 62-63 credit hours, so full-time students may spend two years completing their degrees. Cayuga’s acceptance rate is 100%, with a graduation rate of 26%.

Cayuga facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. Cayuga’s student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid like grants, loans, veteran’s benefits, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. Cayuga’s online student resources include IT support, tutoring, career services, disability services, transfer services, and veterans’ services. Cayuga offers students affordable and convenient online degree programs.

Tompkins Cortland Community College is a public college offering online degree programs at the associate level. Popular online associate degrees at Tompkins Cortland include criminal justice, business administration, and computer information systems. Typically, these online programs at this college are 60-63 credit hours, lasting two years or more. The acceptance rate at Tompkins Cortland is 100%, with a 33% graduation rate.

At Tompkins Cortland, online students complete courses available in asynchronous and synchronous formats on D2L Brightspace. Tompkins Cortland’s student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. Online students are eligible for financial aid at Tompkins Cortland, which includes grants, loans, scholarships, and student aid programs. Online student support services include academic advising, career services, and transfer services. At Tompkins Cortland, out-of-state students pay the resident tuition, which can help them save money on tuition.