Top 10 low-cost universities in New York for international students -2025

New York is popular among international students for a numerous compelling reason. New York State provides a vast networking opportunities across various industries which include finance, technology, art and media. Living in New York opens doors to internships, jobs, and professional connections. Meanwhile, the strong economy of New York provides ample job and career opportunities for graduates which particularly is attractive to many international students who are looking to work after graduating. New York City is a global and cultural economic center which offers vibrant art scenes, diverse communities, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

New York is home to many prestigious universities like Columbia University, New York University and Cornell University. But these universities are really hard to get into and the tuition fee is nearly impossible for international students without getting a full ride scholarship. There are many good universities with low tuition fees renowned for their academic excellence and diverse range of programs. Below we are providing a list of some low-cost universities in New York for international students looking for low-cost good universities.

1. Stony Brook University: Stony Brook University is a public research university situated in Long Island, Stony Brook, New York. It is one of the flagship universities of the State University of New York system. The tuition for international students at Stony Brook University, before any scholarships or awards, is $28,880. The average starting salary of a graduate is around $44,000. Stony Brook University might be a good option if you can manage a substantial merit scholarship as an international student, although it is one of the most affordable top colleges in the United States.

2. Baruch College: Baruch College is a constituent college of the City University of New York system. It is a public college in New York City. The tuition is $620 per credit for international students. An international student is required to register for a minimum of 12 credits, which brings the tuition to $7,440 per semester. Baruch College was ranked #2 in New York and #24 across the U.S. among public colleges, earning an ROI rating score of 91/99.

Source: https://newscenter.baruch.cuny.edu/news/baruch-named-best-value-college-2024-the-princeton-review/

Baruch College should be on your list if you are looking for affordable colleges with such a good ROI rating score and access to great opportunities in one of the world’s most diverse destinations.

3. Hunter College: Hunter College is also one of the public colleges under the CUNY system. It is probably the hardest CUNY college to get into, with an acceptance rate of 48%. The tuition at Hunter College is $620 per credit for non-resident students and international students, which amounts to $7,440 per semester. The tuition depends on the number of credits you register for each semester. For example, if you register for 15 credits per semester, your tuition will be $9,300 per semester. Hunter College has a diverse student body of 17,000 undergraduate students, which is great for international students to be a part of such a large and diverse community.

4. Brooklyn College: Brooklyn is a borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island. Brooklyn College is also a part of the CUNY system and is situated on Bedford Ave in Brooklyn, New York City. As an international student at Brooklyn College, you will have access to Brooklyn, which is known for innovation, culture, and the arts. The tuition for international students is the same as at other CUNY colleges, which is $620 per credit. Therefore, calculate your tuition by multiplying by the number of credits you register for each semester.

5. Lehman College: Lehman College is a public college in the Bronx, New York City. This college is also a CUNY college. It was first founded as the Bronx campus for Hunter College but became an independent college in 1967. The tuition fee for international students is $510 per credit, with an additional $189 per semester.

6. SUNY Oneonta: SUNY Oneonta is a public university situated in Oneonta, New York. It is a part of the State University of New York system. SUNY Oneonta is a highly selective college offering students a variety of liberal arts and science majors, pre-professional, and teacher preparation programs. The tuition fee is $18,020 per year for international students, as stated on their official website. There are also additional fees for housing and meals. They offer an $8,000 scholarship to all undergraduate students, so it is a good option for international students to seize such a great opportunity.

7. Binghamton University: Binghamton University is a public research university and a part of the SUNY system. The university has campuses in Binghamton, Vestal, and Johnson City. The tuition for international students attending Binghamton is $26,950 per year. Although it is a bit higher than some other colleges mentioned above, if you achieve a good amount of scholarship, the cost will be more affordable.

8. SUNY Oswego: SUNY Oswego calls itself the premier college of New York. It is a public university in the City of Oswego and the Town of Oswego, New York. They have two campuses: the historic lakeside campus in Oswego and the Metro Center in Syracuse, New York. SUNY Oswego is selective with international students but is one of the top affordable universities in New York. The tuition fee for international students is $17,320 per year.

9. Farmingdale State College: Farmingdale State College is a public college and a part of the SUNY system. It is an American institution of higher education located on Long Island in East Farmingdale, New York. The college was chartered in 1912 as a school of applied agriculture under the name of New York State School of Agriculture on Long Island. The tuition fee for international students at Farmingdale State College is $8,490 per semester.

10. University at Albany: The University at Albany is a public research university with campuses in Albany, Rensselaer, and Guilderland, New York. It is one of the four University Centers of the SUNY system. The tuition and fees for international students are $33,893.32 per year. However, they offer a scholarship of up to $20,500 based on academic achievements and other qualifications determined by the admissions committee. For international students, this is a great opportunity, and those confident in their academic achievements might consider applying.