Hi, I'm a junior who's just started taking the college hunt seriously. Does anyone know which colleges in New York are the least expensive? I'd love to hear any info or personal experiences with affordable NY colleges! Thanks in advance!
Hello! Just a heads up, when it comes to the cost of a college, you'll want to look at more than just the sticker price. You need to consider the net price, which is the cost after factoring in potential aid and scholarships. New York has a wide range of colleges, including both public and private institutions, so let's look at some affordable options in each category.
On the public side, the City University of New York (CUNY) and the State University of New York (SUNY) systems offer numerous affordable options. Each campus within these systems has its unique strengths. For example, Baruch College (part of CUNY) is known for its business programs, while SUNY Binghamton is often touted as a "Public Ivy" given its academic rigor and well-regarded programs.
On the private side, while private institutions generally have higher sticker prices, some offer generous financial aid packages that make them quite affordable. For instance, schools like Columbia University and Cornell University have need-blind admissions policies and provide aid packages that meet 100% of demonstrated need, making them more affordable than they might initially seem for families with financial need. Note that this does not make them "cheap," but the financial aid can significantly reduce the burden.
Another affordable option is Cooper Union, where every admitted undergraduate student studying full time receives a half-tuition scholarship, which is currently worth $22,275 to put toward the full cost of $44,550.
Lastly, you might want to look into the Excelsior Scholarship if you're a resident of NY state and meet certain income criteria. This program offers free tuition at all SUNY and CUNY two-year and four-year colleges.
Always remember to use the Net Price Calculator on the website of each college you're interested in to get a better idea of what you might actually end up paying. Good luck on your journey!
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