Best ABA Programs in New York (2026)
The top accredited Applied Behavior Analysis programs in New York — from affordable CUNY and SUNY options to Ivy League programs — with tuition, BCBA certification paths, LBA licensure requirements, and behavior analyst salary data for 2026.
Key Takeaways
- New York has 26+ ABA master's programs — one of the highest concentrations nationally — ranging from CUNY's affordable $470/credit in-state to Teachers College, Columbia at $1,768/credit.
- The NYS Education Department requires a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) credential. Since November 2022, BCBA certification holders can apply directly — no separate state exam beyond the BCBA.
- BCBA-certified professionals in New York earn among the highest salaries nationally — averaging $97,000–$120,000+ according to employer data, with NYC metro positions regularly exceeding $110,000.
- The CUNY system is the standout value: Queens College and Hunter College both offer ABA master's programs at ~$10,770/year in-state — a fraction of what private NYC universities charge.
- Empire State University (SUNY) offers a fully online M.S. in ABA at $472/credit for NY residents, designed specifically for working professionals pursuing BCBA certification and NYS LBA licensure.
- New York layers its own state requirements on top of the national credential. Certification and licensure are separate hurdles, and confusing them is the most common planning mistake we see. The national BACB credential is the one employers screen on. See the BCBA certification path for the fieldwork and exam requirements in full.
New York has one of the largest and most competitive ABA job markets in the country, driven by the NYC metro area's massive population, strong insurance mandates, and deep healthcare infrastructure. With 26+ ABA master's programs, the state offers extraordinary range — from public CUNY and SUNY options under $11,000/year to premium programs at Teachers College (Columbia), Hofstra, and other private universities.
For students seeking ABA master's programs in New York, the CUNY system offers the best value by a wide margin. Queens College and Hunter College both provide BACB-aligned ABA master's degrees at in-state rates of approximately $470/credit. Empire State University (SUNY) provides a fully online option at $472/credit — ideal for working professionals outside the NYC area.
New York requires state licensure (LBA) through the NYS Education Department. Since a 2022 legislative change, BCBA certification holders can apply for LBA licensure directly, streamlining the process significantly. The application fee is $300, and there is no separate state exam.
Looking for a specific metro?
See ABA programs by city for metro-level guides with local employers and salary data.
Best ABA Programs in New York — Accredited Master's & Bachelor's Degrees
All 7 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Queens College — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis | $470/credit (~$10,770/year in-state) | On-campus | |
| 2 | CUNY Hunter College — M.S.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis | $470/credit (~$10,770/year in-state) | On-campus with online coursework available | |
| 3 | Empire State University (SUNY) — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | $472/credit (~$19,352 total, 41 credits) | Fully online | |
| 4 | SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University — M.S. in ABA | $471/credit (~$19,782 total, 42 credits) | Hybrid | |
| 5 | Hofstra University — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | $1,400/credit (~$51,800 total, 37 credits) | Fully online | |
| 6 | Manhattanville University — M.P.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis | ~$900/credit (private) | Fully online with full- and part-time options | |
| 7 | Teachers College, Columbia University — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis | $1,768/credit (~$83,096 total, 47 credits) | On-campus |
CUNY Queens College — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
In-State
$470/credit (~$10,770/year in-state)
Out-of-State
$855/credit (~$19,920/year)
Length
2 years
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Most affordable ABA master's in the NYC metro area — CUNY in-state rates
- Department of Psychology houses the ABA program with strong research faculty
- Directly prepares graduates for both BCBA certification and NYS LBA licensure
- Queens location provides access to NYC's massive ABA employer network
- Public university affordability with private university-level clinical training
CUNY Hunter College — M.S.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis
In-State
$470/credit (~$10,770/year in-state)
Out-of-State
$855/credit (~$19,920/year)
Length
2 years
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Manhattan location — the most central ABA program in NYC
- CUNY in-state tuition — same affordability as Queens College
- School of Education houses the ABA program with strong practicum placements
- Online coursework options available for flexibility
- Extensive clinical practicum network across NYC's five boroughs
Empire State University (SUNY) — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
In-State
$472/credit (~$19,352 total, 41 credits)
Out-of-State
$992/credit (~$40,672 total)
Length
2 years (41 credits)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Fully online SUNY program designed specifically for BCBA + NYS LBA preparation
- Most affordable online ABA master's for NY residents — $472/credit
- Full-time and part-time enrollment options — flexible for working professionals
- 41-credit program completable in as few as 2 years
- Part of the SUNY system — New York's public university brand
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University — M.S. in ABA
In-State
$471/credit (~$19,782 total, 42 credits)
Out-of-State
$1,021/credit (~$42,882 total)
Length
2 years (42 credits)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Health sciences university context — unique interdisciplinary perspective
- Hybrid format combining online learning with in-person clinical components
- SUNY in-state rates — affordable at ~$19,782 total for NY residents
- Brooklyn location with connections to NYC's healthcare ecosystem
- School of Health Professions houses the ABA program
Hofstra University — M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
In-State
$1,400/credit (~$51,800 total, 37 credits)
Out-of-State
$1,400/credit (~$51,800 total)
Length
2 years (37 credits)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Fully asynchronous online delivery — maximum flexibility for working professionals
- Curriculum emphasizes data-driven decision-making and functional assessment
- Caregiver training focus — increasingly important in modern ABA practice
- 37-credit program — fewer credits than many competitors
- Long Island location with strong suburban NYC practicum network
Manhattanville University — M.P.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
In-State
~$900/credit (private)
Out-of-State
~$900/credit (private)
Length
2 years
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Master of Professional Studies (MPS) format — practice-focused rather than research-focused
- Fully online with both full-time and part-time options
- Also offers an Advanced Graduate Certificate in ABA for post-master's students
- Westchester County location — serves the northern NYC suburbs
- Prepares for both BCBA certification and NYS LBA licensure
Teachers College, Columbia University — M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
In-State
$1,768/credit (~$83,096 total, 47 credits)
Out-of-State
$1,768/credit (~$83,096 total)
Length
2 years (47 credits)
Field Hours
1,500 supervised experience hours
Concentrations
- Ivy League ABA program — Columbia University's Teachers College brand and network
- Research-intensive with access to Columbia's world-class research infrastructure
- Premium program for students pursuing academic or leadership careers in ABA
- NYC location with unparalleled practicum and employment opportunities
- Alumni network spans healthcare, education, and policy leadership nationally
- Most expensive ABA master's in New York — justified for research-focused career paths
New York Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) Requirements
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
New York State Education Department — Office of the Professions
New York requires a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) credential through the NYS Education Department Office of the Professions. Since November 2022, individuals with BCBA certification can apply for LBA licensure directly — significantly simplifying the process.
LBA applicants must hold a master's or higher degree in applied behavior analysis or a related field, with coursework covering autism/ASD, ABA concepts and principles, assessment tools, research methodology, ethics, record maintenance, and cultural diversity. A supervised practicum or internship of at least 150 hours is also required.
The application fee is $300 for licensure and first registration. New York also offers a Certified Behavior Analyst Assistant (CBAA) credential at the bachelor's level. All credentials are governed by Section 8804 of New York State Education Law.
Licensed Behavior Analyst
Independent practice of applied behavior analysis in New York State
Hours
1,500
Duration
Associate
Exam: BCBA Exam (accepted since Nov 2022) — or NYS-approved exam
Certified Behavior Analyst Assistant
Practice of ABA under LBA supervision
Hours
1,000
Duration
Associate
Exam: BCaBA Exam or NYS-approved exam
New York does not have formal reciprocity with other states. However, since the 2022 legislative change, BCBA certification holders can apply directly for NYS LBA licensure regardless of where they were licensed previously. The process requires submitting an application ($300), proof of BCBA certification, degree verification, and meeting the education requirements. There is no additional state exam for BCBA holders. Processing times at the NYS Education Department can be lengthy — plan accordingly if relocating to New York.
Behavior Analyst Salary in New York
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
New York offers some of the highest behavior analyst salaries in the nation, particularly in the NYC metro area. However, the state's 4–10.9% progressive income tax (plus NYC's additional ~3.876% city tax for residents) and high cost of living are significant considerations. BCBA-specific salaries in New York average $97,000–$120,000+ according to employer data, with NYC positions regularly exceeding $110,000.
Behavioral Disorder & Mental Health Counselors (incl. Behavior Analysts)
National median: $59,190
Top metro: $69,022 (New York City)
BCBA-Certified Professionals (employer-reported)
National median: $78,000
Top metro: $118,176 (NYC Metro)
RBT / Behavior Technicians (employer-reported)
National median: $37,800
New York ABA Job Market and Workforce Demand
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
New York is one of the largest ABA job markets in the country, anchored by the NYC metropolitan area's massive population and healthcare infrastructure. The state's autism insurance mandate requires coverage for ABA therapy, driving sustained demand for BCBAs and RBTs across all five boroughs and the surrounding suburbs.
Major ABA employers in New York include Bierman Autism Centers, Trumpet Behavioral Health, Autism Spectrum Therapies, Quality Behavior Solutions (QBS), Gersh Autism, Behavior Analyst Certification Board-approved agencies, and numerous school districts and hospital systems. The NYC metro area has an especially dense concentration of employers, but Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, and Rochester also have growing ABA markets.
New York's high salaries are partially offset by the state's significant tax burden and cost of living. BCBAs working in NYC should factor in the city's additional income tax (~3.876%) when comparing offers to positions in states without income tax like Texas or Florida.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Behavior analysts at NYC public schools, state agencies, and nonprofit ABA providers qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments.
CUNY/SUNY Affordability — CUNY Queens College and Hunter College (~$10,770/year in-state) and Empire State University (~$19,352 total) minimize loan needs entirely for NY residents.
NYS Get on Your Feet Loan Forgiveness — New York offers up to 24 months of federal student loan payments for recent graduates earning under $50,000 in their first two years after college.
How to Choose the Best ABA Program in New York
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
New York's 26+ ABA programs span an enormous range of cost, format, and prestige. The right choice depends heavily on your budget, career goals, and preferred location.
If you want the cheapest ABA master's in New York: CUNY Queens College and Hunter College are unbeatable at ~$10,770/year in-state (~$470/credit). Empire State University (SUNY) offers fully online delivery at $472/credit (~$19,352 total).
If you want an online ABA master's in New York: Empire State University (SUNY, $472/credit), Hofstra ($1,400/credit, asynchronous), Manhattanville (fully online with MPS format), and Hunter College (online coursework available).
If you want the most prestigious ABA program: Teachers College, Columbia University offers an Ivy League ABA education at $1,768/credit (~$83,096 total). Justified for research-focused or leadership career paths.
If you're in NYC: Hunter College (Manhattan), Queens College (Queens), and SUNY Downstate (Brooklyn) offer the best value within the five boroughs. Teachers College and Hofstra are premium options.
If you're Upstate: Empire State University's fully online program is designed for students outside NYC. SUNY programs at various campuses also serve upstate students.
If you want the fastest program: Several programs can be completed in under 2 years full-time. Empire State and Hofstra both emphasize flexible pacing.
Related Pages
Best Online ABA Programs
National ranking of the top online ABA master's programs
ABA Programs in New Jersey
ABA programs in neighboring New Jersey
ABA Programs in Massachusetts
ABA programs in Massachusetts
BCBA Salary Data
Salary data by state, experience, and employer type
ABA Programs by State
Browse ABA programs in all 50 states
Sources
- ABAI — Verified Course Sequence Directory
- BACB — Certificant Data and Exam Pass Rates
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024
- NYS Education Department — Licensed Behavior Analysts
- BACB — U.S. Licensure of Behavior Analysts by State
- NCES College Navigator — U.S. Department of Education