Top 3 Computer Programming Programs in New York 2025
Cornell University
507 Computer Programming graduates annually, 95% graduation rate
Columbia University in the City of New York
391 Computer Programming graduates annually, 100% graduation rate
Stony Brook University
256 Computer Programming graduates annually, 89% graduation rate
- 1.New York has 60+ accredited computer programming bachelor's programs across SUNY, CUNY, and private institutions
- 2.Cornell University ranks #1 in New York with 95% graduation rate and exceptional computer science foundation
- 3.SUNY schools offer quality programming education at $7,070 in-state tuition—90% less than private alternatives
- 4.New York software developers earn median $135,000 annually—23% above the national median
- 5.NYC, Albany, and Rochester provide 245,000+ programming and software development jobs statewide
Computer Programming Education Landscape in New York
New York offers exceptional computer programming education opportunities, from world-renowned private institutions like Cornell and Columbia to affordable SUNY and CUNY programs. The state's proximity to major tech hubs in NYC, along with growing tech scenes in Albany and Rochester, creates abundant internship and career opportunities for programming students.
For a broader perspective on programming education, review our national computer programming rankings. Students interested in related fields should explore our computer science programs in New York or software engineering degrees in New York. Career-focused students can reference our software engineer salary guide for New York-specific compensation data.
New York's unique advantage lies in its diverse tech ecosystem. From Wall Street fintech requiring algorithmic trading systems to Madison Avenue digital agencies needing web applications, the state offers programming careers across multiple industries. Major employers include Google, Amazon, IBM, Goldman Sachs, and hundreds of startups throughout the NYC metro area.
Top 25 Computer Programming Programs in New York
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | Private | $65,204 | 95% | — | 99.8 |
| 2 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private | $64,526 | 100% | — | 97.4 |
| 3 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | Public | $7,070 | 89% | — | 78.9 |
| 4 | University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Public | $7,070 | 95% | — | 76.3 |
| 5 | CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | Public | $6,930 | 75% | — | 76 |
| 6 | CUNY Queens College | Queens, NY | Public | $6,930 | 82% | — | 74.6 |
| 7 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | — | 73 |
| 8 | Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | Public | $7,070 | 87% | — | 72.2 |
| 9 | Colgate University | Hamilton, NY | Private | $66,622 | 96% | — | 71.7 |
| 10 | University at Albany | Albany, NY | Public | $7,070 | 99% | — | 68.5 |
| 11 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy, NY | Private | $60,360 | — | — | 66.6 |
| 12 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | Public | $7,070 | 79% | — | 65.5 |
| 13 | University of Rochester | Rochester, NY | Private | $63,150 | — | — | 64.8 |
| 14 | CUNY Lehman College | Bronx, NY | Public | $6,930 | 67% | — | 62.3 |
| 15 | CUNY City College | New York, NY | Public | $6,930 | 66% | — | 61.6 |
| 16 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY | Private | $45,330 | 100% | — | 60.6 |
| 17 | SUNY Brockport | Brockport, NY | Public | $7,070 | 99% | — | 58.1 |
| 18 | College of Staten Island CUNY | Staten Island, NY | Public | $6,930 | — | — | 54.3 |
| 19 | Touro University | New York, NY | Private | $18,950 | — | — | 48.7 |
| 20 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | Alfred, NY | Public | $7,070 | 90% | — | 48.1 |
| 21 | Pace University | New York, NY | Private | $49,550 | — | — | 47.4 |
| 22 | CUNY York College | Jamaica, NY | Public | $6,930 | — | — | 47.1 |
| 23 | Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY | Private | $54,335 | — | — | 46.8 |
| 24 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute | Utica, NY | Public | $7,070 | — | — | 46.3 |
| 25 | State University of New York at Oswego | Oswego, NY | Public | $7,070 | — | — | 45.2 |
Showing 1–25 of 43
Top 5 Computer Programming Programs in New York: Side-by-Side
| School | Columbia | Cornell | Stony Brook | University at Buffalo | Colgate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $64,526 | $65,204 | $7,070 | $7,070 | $66,622 |
| Graduation Rate | 100% | 95% | 89% | 95% | 96% |
| Annual Graduates | 595 | 507 | 256 | 254 | 62 |
| Acceptance Rate | 4% | 8% | 49% | 69% | 12% |
| Type | Private | Private | Public | Public | Private |
| Score | 100.0/100 | 96.9/100 | 76.9/100 | 74.3/100 | 74.3/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Computer Programming in New York
New York offers 43 bachelor's-level computer programming programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Cornell University, Columbia University in the City of New York, Stony Brook University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $91,497 in the New York market.
A bachelor's in computer programming typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Computer Programming Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Computer Programming Bachelor's Programs in New York
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Cornell | $65,204 | 95% | 507 | 96.9 |
| #2 Columbia | $64,526 | 100% | 391 | 97.4 |
| #3 Stony Brook | $7,070 | 89% | 256 | 76.9 |
Top Computer Programming Schools for Master's Degrees in New York
For graduate study, New York offers 24 master's-level computer programming programs. Leading institutions include Columbia University in the City of New York, Cornell University, Stony Brook University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in New York reaching $169,923 or more.
Top 3 Computer Programming Master's Programs in New York
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Columbia | $64,526 | 100% | 595 | 100.0 |
| #2 Cornell | $65,204 | 95% | 290 | 88.7 |
| #3 Stony Brook | $7,070 | 89% | 246 | 76.5 |
Most Affordable Computer Programming Colleges in New York
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable computer programming programs in New York are at CUNY Hunter College ($6,930/year), CUNY Queens College ($6,930/year), CUNY Lehman College ($6,930/year). These programs offer strong ROI given New York's competitive tech salaries.
At CUNY Hunter College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $27,720 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $91,497, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.5 years.
Most Affordable Computer Programming Programs in New York (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 CUNY Hunter College | $6,930 | $27,720 | 0.5 years | Public |
| #2 CUNY Queens College | $6,930 | $27,720 | 0.5 years | Public |
| #3 CUNY Lehman College | $6,930 | $27,720 | 0.5 years | Public |
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $64,526 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 100% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Programming Graduates: 595 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 4%
- • Ranking Score: 100.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 100% graduation rate
- 595 computer programming graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 100.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (100%), program size (595 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (4% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Columbia's Computer Science program offers an integrated curriculum combining theoretical foundations with practical applications across artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and computer architecture. Students can pursue specialized tracks including Computer Science-Mathematics, Computational Biology, and Data Science, with flexible pathways including online options through Columbia Video Network and accelerated BS/MS programs.
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.30
- Transfer Friendly
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $65,204 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Programming Graduates: 507 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 8%
- • Ranking Score: 96.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 507 computer programming graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 96.9 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (507 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (8% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,070 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 89% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Programming Graduates: 256 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 49%
- • Ranking Score: 76.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 256 computer programming graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 76.9 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (89%), program size (256 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (49% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,070 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Programming Graduates: 254 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 69%
- • Ranking Score: 74.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 254 computer programming graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 74.3 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (254 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (69% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $66,622 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Programming Graduates: 62 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 12%
- • Ranking Score: 74.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 62 computer programming graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 74.3 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (62 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (12% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design, develop, and maintain software applications using various programming languages and frameworks
Web Developer
SOC 15-1254Create and maintain websites and web applications using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and backend technologies
Mobile App Developer
SOC 15-1252Develop applications for iOS and Android platforms using Swift, Kotlin, React Native, or Flutter
Full Stack Developer
SOC 15-1252Work on both frontend and backend components of web applications, managing the complete development stack
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1252Combine software development and IT operations to automate and streamline development processes
New York Public University Systems for Programming
New York's public university systems provide affordable programming education options across the state. The State University of New York (SUNY) system offers computer programming and related degrees at 64 campuses, with in-state tuition averaging $7,070 annually. Top SUNY programming programs include Stony Brook, Buffalo, Binghamton, and Albany.
The City University of New York (CUNY) system serves the five boroughs with affordable programming education at institutions like City College, Brooklyn College, and Queens College. CUNY's in-state tuition of $6,930 makes it one of the most affordable options for NYC residents pursuing programming degrees.
Both SUNY and CUNY schools maintain transfer agreements with community colleges, allowing students to complete general education requirements affordably before transferring. For students considering bootcamp alternatives, our software engineering bootcamps guide compares intensive programs to traditional degree paths.
Other Tech Degree Programs in New York
Computer Programming Programs by State
California
Texas
Florida
Illinois
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to one of the largest tech job markets in the US (245,000+ positions)
- Internship opportunities with Wall Street fintech firms and media companies
- Affordable public education through SUNY and CUNY systems
- Proximity to major tech companies with NYC offices (Google, Amazon, IBM)
- Diverse programming career paths from startups to Fortune 500 companies
- Strong alumni networks in finance, media, and technology sectors
- Lower cost of living (NY has high housing costs, especially NYC)
- Warmer climate year-round
- Less competitive job market for entry-level positions
- More affordable private university options
- Access to emerging tech hubs with lower competition
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Programming Programs
Based on 25 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Computer Programming degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific computer programming salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Programming Education Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, enrollment data, and institutional characteristics for all accredited colleges and universities
Occupation-specific salary and employment data for New York state
State-specific program accreditation and higher education oversight information
Research funding and STEM education statistics
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.