Hey guys, I'm starting to look at colleges and I'm really interested in NYC. But as we all know, the city is known for its high cost of living. Does anyone have any suggestions for cheap, but decent universities there?
One school that often comes up in discussions of reasonably priced and decent universities in New York City is the City University of New York (CUNY) system. This includes colleges like Baruch College, Hunter College, and City College. A major advantage they offer is that the tuition for in-state students is significantly lower than many other institutions, while maintaining a solid academic reputation.
Another option is the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Even though its schools aren't located in NYC, some are close by and can offer the 'New York' experience without the same high living costs as Manhattan. One such school close to NYC is SUNY Purchase, which has strong arts and humanities programs.
Bear in mind that although these institutions offer lower tuition rates, the cost of living in New York City can still be high – even for students. So budgeting and financial planning are really important.
Remember to use each school's net price calculator to get an estimate of what you would pay after considering financial aid. Also, don't rule out private institutions just because of the high sticker price. Schools like Columbia University, for example, have large endowments and can offer generous aid packages. Families who earn less than $85,000 per year at Columbia pay nothing towards the cost of attendance. Families earning between $85,000 and $150,000 a year will pay between 0 and 10% of their annual income.
Exploring these aspects can help you balance between academic quality and financial considerations within NYC.
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