Universities and admissions in New York

Universities in New York for Russian speakers — straight talk

Top: Columbia, NYU, Cornell Tech; more affordable — CUNY (city colleges), Fordham.

Nothing is free. Tuition:

• private (Columbia, NYU): $60,000–70,000/year
• CUNY for international students: ~$19,000–25,000/year (noticeably more affordable)
• community colleges: $8,000–17,000 (start + transfer)

What is needed:

• school certificate + TOEFL 90+/IELTS 7.0; SAT/ACT for undergraduate entry
• apply through Common App or directly

Residence permit: F-1 visa — you need an I-20 from the university, SEVIS payment and a consulate interview.

Merit scholarships exist, but full aid for international students is rare.

Data as of 2026. Source: universities, EducationUSA.

New York: how to save money and get admitted

Less expensive than the Ivy League:

• CUNY (Baruch, Hunter, City College): ~$19–25k/year for international students
• community colleges (BMCC): $8–17k → then transfer to a 4-year university
• SUNY campuses nearby — cheaper than private universities

Scholarships: university merit awards, private foundations; need-based aid at top universities for rare cases.

Admissions:

1. Undergraduate — Common App, SAT/ACT, TOEFL, essays, references

2. Master’s — degree, GPA, GRE/GMAT (some programmes), motivation letter

Data as of 2026. Source: CUNY, EducationUSA.

New York: documents, diploma, F-1 visa

Documents:

• diploma/degree + translation and evaluation (WES/ECE)
• TOEFL/IELTS, SAT/GRE as required by the program
• transcript, essay, references
• proof of funds for I-20

F-1 visa:

• the university issues form I-20
• payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350)
• consulate interview, proving funds and ties to your home country
• work: on-campus; CPT/OPT — internships/post-study work

Prices: private $60–70k, CUNY $19–25k/year.

Data as of 2026. Source: studyinthestates.dhs.gov.