New York's population as of 2015 was closing in on 20 million residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And those residents continue to drive the Big Apple's economy and job growth in these major industries: construction, trade, transportation and utilities, professional and business services, education, health care and tourism. Students who want to pursue jobs in these industries can get started by attending a college, university or online school in New York.
Highlighted Careers in New York
New York City is the largest banking and financial services center in the U.S. -- New York City is home to the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ stock market -- the state also has very large employment in financial occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports these five leading occupations in New York based on total employment and median annual salary:
| Discipline | 2015 mean annual salary | Total in-state employment |
| Management | $143,810 | 462,840 |
| Legal occupations | $127,670 | 106,510 |
| Computer and mathematical occupations | $91,570 | 239,300 |
| Business and financial operations | $89,750 | 499,580 |
| Health care and related occupations | $86,660 | 510,770 |
Education Degree Programs in New York
According to the New York State Education Department's Office of Research and Information Systems, more than 1.26 million students attended colleges, universities or New York online schools in fall 2014. Here's a further enrollment breakdown of all students for:
- State University of New York -- 454,545
- City University of New York -- 274,723
- Independent institutions -- 486,068
- Proprietary colleges -- 45,855
Below is a list compiled by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) IPEDS database for five of the most popular majors during the 2014-15 school year for students at colleges, universities and online schools in New York, based on graduation rates:
- Business management and marketing: 50,658
- Health and related professions: 40,170
- Liberal arts and sciences: 24,153
- Education: 19,743
- Visual and performing arts: 17,815
Spotlight on Cities and Schools in New York for Education
New York has long been a destination for many of the most promising students in the country. The state houses the prestigious music academy, The Juilliard School, Columbia University, Fashion Institute of Technology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, City University of New York, Fordham University and the United States Military Academy at West Point, to name some of the most notable.
According to NCES, there are 473 universities, colleges and online schools in New York. There are 222 institutions of higher education located within a 25-mile radius of downtown New York City. Outside of NYC, the city of Buffalo offers 31 colleges, universities and online schools within 25 miles of its downtown core, while Rochester offers 22 institutions in a similar distance from its downtown.
New York Education Costs (tuition fees and cost of living) and Student Aid
Despite the presence of some of the most well-recognized colleges and universities in the country, average educational costs for colleges and universities in New York aren't much higher than surrounding states.
The College Board's annual survey of colleges reports the following costs for tuition at New York colleges for the 2015-16 school year:
- Two-year schools: $5,103
- Four-year universities: $7,644
- Private four-year universities: $32,405 (national average)
Students have many different options to pay for college in New York including, potentially, federal student loans or Pell Grants. Students who need financial aid can inquire with the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation about the options the state agency oversees and administers.
Accreditation for New York Schools and Universities
The New York State Board of Regents and the Commission of Education, both part of the state's Office of Higher Education, are the accrediting agency for 24 colleges and universities. The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools also serves as the official accrediting agency for many schools, universities and online schools in NY.
Attending accredited colleges is important for students for several reasons. Foremost is the fact that many state agencies, such as boards of nursing, only recognize degrees awarded from accredited institutions as a foundation for employment. Secondly, accrediting agencies ensure that educational programs are developed to strict standards that provide students with the education and skills they need to succeed in the workforce. Students should check with guidance counselors prior to enrollment in a particular college to make sure it has earned proper accreditation.
Sources:
- New York QuickFacts from the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau, July 2016, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36000.html
- May 2015 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ny.htm
- New York State College and University Enrollment Projections, Higher Ed Enrollment, Fall 2014, http://www.highered.nysed.gov/oris/documents/2014HigherEdEnrollment20150905.xls
- New York Colleges, College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics, December 2014, http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=NY
- NYS Higher Education Services Corporation, New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, December 2014, http://www.hesc.ny.gov/
- Institutional Accreditation by the Board of Regents, New York State Education Department, December 2014, http://www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/accred/accredinfo