Best 10 Public Universities in New York

Many scholars have different perceptions about attending public universities in New York.

The central truth of all divergent opinions is that the quality of these public institutions, as compared with private counterparts, ranges from Very Good to Outstanding. But many of these public institutions have been under-rated for a long time.

New York has two public university systems: the State University of New York (SUNY) and The City University of New York (CUNY) The latter has 20 campuses within the city, and SUNY has 64 campuses (including community colleges) statewide.

If you are looking for an ideal public university in NYC to enroll, you need to know that each one has particular benefits depending on your study course.

NYC public universities like Albany, Binghamton, and Buffalo have often been mentioned as the city’s best. But there are other excellent options. We’ve done the research for you:

Top 10 NYC Public Universities You Should Consider

According to the information shared by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), New York is home to 112 public schools, 61 of which are public universities. Here is our top recommendation among these public universities, especially for international students:

1. United States Merchant Marine Academy
   
2. Binghamton University
   
3. Farmingdale State College
   
4. Stony Brook University
   
5. The State University of New York
   
6. SUNY Oneonta
   
7. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
   
8. CUNY Hunter College
   
9. University at Buffalo
   
10. Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program
    

United States Merchant Marine Academy

• Tuition Fee: $1050 for both In-State and Out-of-State Tuition
• United States Merchant Marine Academy Admission Requirement Page 
• The United States Merchant Marine Academy Tuition Details Page

Based in Kings Point, New York, the United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public university that accepts students in programs that prepare them for the workplace.

Degree-seekers can qualify for federal student aid programs, such as the Pell Grant in this accredited institution. Students are also offered an academically rigorous course of study at a reasonable price.

Here, they train students with both academic and technical programs.

Apart from being a famous public university in NY, the United States Merchant Marine Academy is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Binghamton University

• Tuition Fee: $7,070 and $24,910 for New York State Resident Non-Resident Tuition, respectively.  
• Binghamton University Admission Requirement Page 
• Binghamton University Tuition Details Page

Binghamton University has its campus based in the Vestal region of New York. The public university is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system operating since 1946.

With more than 300 student organizations and over 60 fraternity and sorority houses, the university offers outdoor recreation with nature preserves, a pond, and a forest.

This environment allows students to bike, hike, and jog.

Farmingdale State College

• Tuition Fee: $8,538 and $18,448 for In-State and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively.
• Farmingdale State College Admission Requirement Page 
• Farmingdale State College Tuition Details Page

Farmingdale State College operates as a public institution. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and offers academic and technical programs that prepare graduates for a successful career.

At Farmingdale state college, you can also apply to be awarded federal student aid programs, such as the Pell Grant.

With a graduation rate of 52 percent, Farmingdale State college is one of the best public universities in New York to consider.

Stony Brook University

• Tuition Fee: $10,455 and $28,375 for local and Domestic tuition, respectively.
• Stony Brook University Admission Requirement Page 
• Stony Brook University Tuition Details Page

Another public university in New York worth considering is Stony Brook University. Its campus sits at Stony Brook, NYC. 

The public institution opened its doors in 1957 as a part fo the 64 SUNY member institutions. Students here enjoy access to concerts and festivals. The institution also boasts prominent alums, including the first US Woman trained as an astronaut – Patricia Cowings.

The State University of New York

• Tuition Fee: $8,502 and $18,412 for In-State and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively
• The State University of New York Admission Requirement Page 
• The State University of New York Tuition Details Page

The State University of New York at New Paltz may be an affordable public institution, but this is not sacrificed for academic quality.

The university offers both academic and technical programs as students complete fundamentals courses, specialized classes, and general education requirements depending on their programs.

 Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the public institution offers programs that prepare graduates for careers and professional advancement.

SUNY Oneonta

• Tuition Fee: $8740 and $18650 for In-State and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively.
• SUNY Oneonta Admission Requirement Page 
• SUNY Oneonta Tuition Details Page

Many of the degrees of SUNY Oneonta make national rankings. The public university in Oneonta is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and allows students to complete programs that prepare them for the workforce.

Despite the low tuition, students stand a chance to qualify for federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant.

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

• Tuition Fee: $7,462 and $15,412 for In-State and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively.
• CUNY Bernard M Baruch College Admission Requirement Page 
• CUNY Bernard M Baruch College Tuition Details Page

With a Graduation Rate of 70 percent and enrollment of 18,679, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College offers 89 academic programs with a focus on experiential learning to groom graduates to be prepared for the job market.

At CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, some programs offer test-optional admission policies.

CUNY Hunter College

• Tuition Fee: $7382 and $15332 for In-State and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively.
• CUNY Hunter College Admission Requirement Page 
• CUNY Hunter College Tuition Details Page

CUNY Hunter College is another public university in New York that is very affordable.

The institution offers courses and experiential learning opportunities to bolster their knowledge. The university is among the top NY public institution that offers applicants a waiver for standardized test scores.

The school has flexible admission score requirements, making it easier for international students to enroll.

CUNY Hunter College also offers support services such as tutoring and career counseling. Students also stand a chance to pay their educational costs with federal student aid programs.

University at Buffalo

• Tuition Fee: $10,524 and $28,194 for In-State and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively
• University at Buffalo Admission Requirement Page 
• University at Buffalo Tuition Details Page

Next on our list of public universities in New York is the University at Buffalo. The public college offers academic and technical programs that prepare graduates for the workforce or further study.

It is considered a favorite for many prospective international students due to the number of financial aid, including federal loans, scholarships, and grants offered at the university.

The Middle States Commission accredits the university at Buffalo on Higher Education and is among the institutions in NY that top the chart as the city’s best.

Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program

• Tuition Fee: $11,515 for both In-State and Out-of-State Tuition
• Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Admission Requirement Page 
• Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program Tuition Details Page

With a Graduation Rate of 100 percent, Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program enrolls students as a public institution.

The campus is situated in Auburn, New York, and offers students the opportunity to qualify for federal financial aid, including grants and loans that will cover their tuition expenses.

Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Programs holds accreditation from the New York State Board of Regents State Education Department Office of the Professions.

Why Attend Public Universities in New York?

Generally, public university tuition costs are much lower than private universities. The higher education landscape in New York is no different.

Apart from this huge advantage, you may also consider attending NYC public universities as an international student since they usually have more minority students.

The large size of public universities in New York is another advantage. It indicates that you get to participate in more activities on campus.

Keep in Mind the Downsides…

Attending a public university in New York may be a good leap in your academic journey abroad. However, you should be ready to shoulder the side effect of having minimal contact with your instructors in these public universities.

This is a result of the typically large size of these institutions, which also accounts for why you may feel lost in the crowd.

In addition, most of these Public universities may not be able to offer as much financial aid as private institutions in New York, but this is not to say that they aren’t affordable options.

In Summary

Suppose you look closely at the academic profile of these top public universities in New york reviewed in the above article. In that case, you’d agree that affordability is not the only factor that makes these institutions attractive.

Besides ranking highly among the best institutions in many states, some of these Public universities tend to offer a wide variety of academic programs and prestigious research opportunities to students.

I hope you found this article helpful if you plan to attend a public university in NYC.