2023 Best Online Community Colleges in New York

Overview of Online Community Colleges in New York

New York boasts two community college systems: the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY). SUNY has 30 community colleges statewide serving 174,000 students, many of whom enroll in the 324 online associate degree programs currently offered. CUNY serves approximately 91,000 students with seven community colleges and 12 online associate degree programs in the five boroughs — Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx — that make up New York City.

A community college is a good place to start exploring career options and degree paths. Students enroll in SUNY and CUNY to earn associate degrees to boost their prospects in the highly competitive New York job market. Many save money by completing their first two years of college and general education credits before transferring to a bachelor's degree program. Most online associate degree courses are worth three credit hours. It takes full-time students approximately two years to complete a 90-credit associate degree. Part-time students often take longer to finish.

Some community colleges in the SUNY and CUNY systems have noted higher graduation and transfer rates. Because tuition and other factors vary by campus, always check individual campus information when doing your research.

Attending an Online New York Community College

Working students may consider online learning as a convenient way to complete their education. Classes are often small in size and asynchronous, so students can log in anytime and virtually anywhere to complete tasks. Distance learning programs may also appeal to students who are not interested in traditional campus life and want to focus on their classes and career goals without distraction.

Those eager to gain industry-specific job skills without completing an associate degree or general education courses for transfer can earn certificates online in areas of study such as culinary arts, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, computer networking, and court reporting. Community college certificate programs may be a convenient way to pursue higher education and gain marketable skills.

SUNY and CUNY have a state-recognized Transfer Guarantee Program for students transferring within these systems, allowing students who meet general education requirements to transfer from a two-year college to a four-year program as juniors. Both SUNY and CUNY systems offer several online bachelor's and graduate programs at their four-year universities. Students transferring to schools outside these systems would still have standard enrollment requirements to meet, including official transcripts, a minimum 2.0 GPA, an application fee of approximately $50, and sometimes a letter of intent.

Careers After Community College in New York

While earning an online associate degree in New York can prepare students for work anywhere, many stay local after graduation. The SUNY and CUNY online community college programs help students acquire the in-demand skills New York employers desire. Students can network with peers and faculty online to make professional connections and boost career opportunities.

When searching for work in areas with high unemployment rates, such as New York's tight job market, community college graduates with marketable skills may have a competitive edge. As of September 2021, state unemployment is 7.4% and in New York City alone it's 8.9%. These figures are much higher than the 4.8% national average unemployment rate reported by the BLS in September, or the rates in states like Nebraska and Utah, which hover around 2%.

It's imperative to carefully consider future job prospects before enrolling in an online program. Finding work in a growth area increases your marketability. According to the New York State Department of Labor, there are three top job sectors that are showing high growth rate projections through 2028:

• Healthcare and Social Assistance enjoy a job growth rate of 34%. SUNY and CUNY both offer online programs in health information technology, community and human services, dental assisting, medical assisting, and health studies to meet this demand.
• Education Services are seeing a job growth rate of 14.9%. Students can earn an online associate degree or a certificate in early childhood education, educational studies, teaching assistance, developmental disabilities, and special education assistance.
• Professional and Business Services lists a job growth rate of 14.6%. SUNY and CUNY offer associate degree and certificate programs in areas such as business administration, communications, accounting, marketing, paralegal, and business and environmental sustainability.

Where you choose to live may also dictate your earning potential and overall livability. Cost of living indexes measure how far your salary will go toward expenses in one place as compared to another. While these numbers take into account many factors and can change over time, a recent analysis found that New York City ranks very high at 187.2, where the U.S. average is 100. Other areas throughout New York state ranked lower than the national average, such as:

• Albany-Schenectady-Troy at 94.6
• Buffalo-Niagara Falls-Erie County at 79.5
• Syracuse metro area at 83.8
• Oswego at 76.7

Between lower unemployment rates and a lower cost of living, choosing to live outside of New York City after graduation from a New York community college may be more affordable.