Computer Science Degree Programs in New York
Updated August 13, 2024
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With a tech industry impact of $166.5 billion, New York ranks as the second largest tech hub in the nation, behind only California. The state is home to 52 Fortune 500 companies.
Earning a computer science degree at any level can qualify you for careers in New York's booming tech industry. Computer science programs in New York can prepare you for fast-growing areas of tech like artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and financial technology.
Use our guide to begin your journey in New York's tech industry. We explore opportunities for computer science majors in New York, including schools and job prospects.
New York at a Glance
- Number of Higher Learning Institutions: 286
- Percentage of Workforce in Tech: 5.7%
- Economic Impact of Tech Industry: $166.5 billion
- Average Wage for Computer and Mathematical Occupations, 2023: $124,300
Sources: Cyberstates™, NCES, OEWS
Popular Online Computer Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Why Go to College for Computer Science in New York?
Higher education in New York dates back to 1754 when Columbia University became the first college in the state. In the mid-20th century, the state created two networks of public institutions: The City University of New York system offers 25 campuses within New York City, while the State University of New York system boasts 64 campuses. With 286 total colleges and universities, learners in New York can pursue degrees at large state schools, small private institutions, and online.
New York students pay lower-than-average tuition at public schools: According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), New York undergraduates at public institutions paid an average of $8,575 for annual tuition in the 2022-23 school year — over $1,000 lower than the national average of $9,750. Out-of-state enrollees paid an average of $20,637, almost $8,000 lower than the national average out-of-state tuition rate of $28,297.
Education Statistics for New York
| Institutional Statistics | New York Data | National Data |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Year Colleges | 221 | 2,488 |
| Two-Year Colleges | 65 | 1,234 |
| Students Enrolled in Distance Education | 40.8% | 53% |
Sources: NCES
New York's four-year colleges and universities account for almost 10% of all four-year schools in the nation. The state offers 221 four-year colleges, including private and public institutions as well as one Ivy League school.
Accreditation for New York Schools
Accreditation is a process schools undergo to affirm that they meet standards of academic excellence. Two accreditation processes exist: institutional and programmatic.
To receive institutional accreditation, an accrediting agency with approval from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) must review the school's educational quality and other factors that influence student outcomes. Attending an institutionally accredited college or university is crucial, as doing so makes it easier to transfer credits to other schools and receive federal financial aid.
Programmatic accreditation, which verifies how well coursework prepares students for field-specific careers, is an optional process that applies only to specific degrees or departments within an institution. Many computer science programs hold accreditation from ABET.
You can check the accreditation status of schools and programs on your list through directories on the ED, CHEA, and ABET websites.
Considerations for New York Computer Science Programs
As you research computer science programs in New York, consider a variety of factors, including cost, financial aid, faculty reputation, and curricula.
Some programs run partially or fully online, which can benefit learners who need increased flexibility. According to 2022 NCES data, 14.5% of New York college students enrolled fully online, while 26.3% were enrolled in at least one distance learning course.
CS Concentration Options
Computer science programs in New York can offer curricular concentrations. These specializations include classes that focus on specific subfields, which can help prepare you for niche careers. For instance, you can specialize in fast-growing areas of tech like cybersecurity, data analytics, network architecture, software engineering, or web development. We explore concentrations relevant to the New York tech industry in the table below.
Cybersecurity
For New York, CompTIA projects a 4.2% employment increase in cybersecurity and systems engineering from 2023 to 2024. Cybersecurity concentrations commonly include courses in cryptography, data mining, and forensic computing.
Data Analytics
For New York, CompTIA projects a 4.7% employment increase for database, data science, analytics, and computer science jobs from 2023 to 2024. Data analytics specializations emphasize gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data. Common courses include data modeling, data visualization, and statistics for computing.
Software Engineering
For New York, CompTIA projects a 4.8% employment increase in software engineering and programming positions from 2023 to 2024. The best online software engineering degrees teach you the tools and methods to design and test software.
Paying for Your CS Degree
Completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help you access financial aid. The FAFSA uses your family's income and your school's tuition costs to determine your eligibility for federal loans and grants.
You can also apply for scholarships and grants through your institution and other organizations. Additionally, work-study programs allow you to earn money by working while you complete your degree. As a last resort, you can also apply for loans, which require repayment with interest. Private loans usually carry higher interest rates than federal loans.
In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition
The price of computer science programs in New York varies due to several factors. For example, total cost depends on whether you earn an associate degree, bachelor's in computer science, or graduate degree, as each program level charges different tuition rates and takes a different number of credits to earn.
Generally, public schools are more affordable than private institutions, but public schools often charge different tuition rates to in-state and out-of-state learners. According to the NCES, in-state residents attending public institutions in New York paid an average of $8,575 in the 2022-23 school year, while out-of-state students paid $20,637.
New York does not participate in tuition reciprocity agreements with other states. However, some colleges provide in-state tuition discounts to undocumented students, graduate students, and online learners.
New York's Cost of Living
New York has the fifth highest cost of living in the country. According to World Population Review, the state's cost of living score is 125.1, while the national average score is 100. New York's high cost of living can negatively affect college students.
For example, while public school enrollees paid less than the national average for tuition in 2022-23, they paid above-average prices for on-campus housing and meal plans: These institutions charged an average of $16,822 for room and board in the 2022-2023 school year, compared to the national average of $12,639.
Schools With Computer Science Programs in New York
- Adelphi University
- Barnard College
- Baruch College
- Binghamton University
- The City College of New York
- College of Staten Island
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Brooklyn College
- Empire State University
- Fordham University
- Franklin University
- Hunter College
- Ithaca College
- John Jay College
- Kean University
- Lehman College
- Manhattan College
- Medgar Evers College
- Metropolitan College of New York
- Mercy University
- New York City College of Technology
- New York Institute of Technology
- New York University
- Pace University
- Queens College
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Sarah Lawrence College
- SUNY Albany
- SUNY Adirondack
- SUNY Brockport
- SUNY Cortland
- SUNY Erie
- SUNY New Paltz
- SUNY Niagara
- SUNY Old Westbury
- SUNY Potsdam
- St. Francis College
- St. John's University
- St. Joseph's University
- Touro University
- Wagner College
- Yeshiva University
- York College
Discover Top-Ranked Computer Science Programs
Jobs for Graduates of New York Computer Science Programs
New York boasts one of the largest economies in the country: Its gross domestic product in 2023 was $1.78 trillion. The Empire State employs about 574,225 tech employees, according to CompTIA.
In New York City alone, the tech sector accounts for 5% of all jobs and nearly 10% of total income, according to New York City comptroller data. Tech professionals in the state make a median wage of $113,240 in New York, roughly 116% higher than the average state wage. Computer science programs in New York can also prepare you for careers in other sectors, including education, healthcare, and finance.
Computer Science Careers in New York
Cloud Engineer
Cloud engineers design and deploy solutions to maintain cloud infrastructure. Companies rely on clouds to store data and run applications. Software engineer programs prepare you to collaborate with software developers and security teams to build cloud architecture and safeguard data.
- Average Salary for New York City Cloud Engineers: $111,770
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity remains one of the leading tech jobs in New York, according to CompTIA. Companies hire cybersecurity analysts to detect threats, monitor network traffic, and develop cyberdefense tools. These professionals must comply with company security policies and ensure users also adhere to security protocols.
- Average Salary for New York City Cybersecurity Analysts: $84,460
Data Analyst
Data analysts work with company stakeholders to convert data into business insights. Their responsibilities include analyzing sales information, product demands, and trends to help businesses improve productivity and profitability.
- Average Salary for New York City Data Analysts: $75,690
Computer Science Employers in New York
Google: Google products include phones, tablets, watches, and the most popular search engine in the world. The company has a New York City location that occupies an entire block and can accommodate 3,000 people. In total, Google now employs 14,000 workers in New York.
IBM: Headquartered in Armonk, New York, IBM also occupies office space in Manhattan. IBM focuses on software and services. IBM's New York office hires application developers, back-end developers, cloud engineers, DevOps engineers, and Java developers.
Salesforce: Salesforce has occupied an office space in Manhattan since 2005. The cloud-based software company hires for roles like solution engineer, product designer, and data scientist for its New York office.
New York Employment Trends
| Year | State | National | Computer Hardware Engineers |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Employment | 1,520 | 78,100 |
| 2032 Projected Employment | 1,580 | 81,600 |
| Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032 | +3.9% | +4.5% | Computer and Information Systems Managers |
| 2022 Employment | 32,630 | 557,400 |
| 2033 Projected Employment | 35,160 | 643,300 |
| Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032 | +7.8% | +15.4% | Web Developers |
| 2022 Employment | 17,280 | 117,900 |
| 2032 Projected Employment | 18,220 | 135,800 |
| Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032 | +5.4% | +15.2% |
Source: Projections Central
| Career | New York Employment | New York Annual Mean Wage | National Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Developers | 5,950 | $94,340 | $95,570 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | 20,020 | $109,340 | $100,580 |
| Database Administrators | 4,390 | $104,230 | $104,810 |
| Computer Programmers | 8,430 | $116,230 | $107,750 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | 19,760 | $116,560 | $110,800 |
| Information Security Analysts | 8,710 | $140,770 | $124,740 |
| Software Developers | 105,460 | $150,020 | $138,110 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | 2,640 | $143,530 | $147,770 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | 740 | $158,440 | $157,160 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 39,190 | $213,930 | $180,720 |
Source: BLS OEWS
New York pays computer science workers above-average salaries. For instance, computer and information systems managers earn an average salary of $213,930 in New York, compared to $180,720 nationally. These higher wages reflect the higher cost of living in the state.
Computer Science Organizations in New York
- Association for Computing Machinery: Founded in 1947, ACM connects computing professionals. Members can access conferences, a digital library, and other career resources.
- Computer Science for New York: CSForNY, with 19,000 members, aims to get more computer technology instruction in New York schools to break barriers and diversify tech. You can join local chapters and access a global community of computer science educators.
- IEEE Computer Society: The IEEE Computer Society has over 375,000 members and offers multiple local chapters in New York. Members can access publications, conferences, and a job board.
FAQ About Computer Science Programs in New York 100
Is computer science a good major in New York?
If you want to pursue computer science, New York offers many opportunities: According to CompTIA, New York City alone was home to 24,836 tech businesses and saw 172,881 computer science-related job postings in 2023.
Do computer science jobs pay well in New York?
Yes, many computer science jobs pay higher-than-average wages in New York. These high salaries typically reflect the higher cost of living in the state.
Do any New York colleges have online computer science programs?
New York is home to multiple online colleges for computer science. Pace University, for instance, offers an online master of science in computer science. The New York Institute of Technology also offers an online master's in data science.
Which school in New York has the best computer science program?
Schools such as Columbia University, New York University, and Cornell University offer reputable computer science programs that attract learners from across the globe. The best program for you fits your budget and learning style while offering opportunities that align with your career interests.
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