I would prefer a B.S over a B.A but it’s less important than if the college has a good biology program where I can specialize in Ecology or Environmental science. It would also be a bonus if I could get an internship there.
CCNY is excellent for all the sciences.
Depending on your high school grades and SAT/ACT scores, you may want to look into Fordham and NYU Poly (run the Net Price Calculator; both participate in HEOP if you qualify).
What’s your EFC?
Check out College of the Atlantic, too. Not in NYC, obviously 
but all students there are focused on Environmental science and Ecology. Also check out SUNY Maritime (not quite “typical” but perhaps interesting to you?)