Best Colleges in New York + Full List of Schools
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It’s the only state with two Ivy League universities, plus a network of city and state public colleges. That’s right — New York has some of the best colleges in the country.
If you want to join over a million college students who choose to study in New York, you’re in the right place. Earning your degree from one of the top colleges in New York can launch your career.
We’ll cover the best colleges in New York State and New York City, provide a full list of colleges in New York, and introduce a few scholarships you can apply for today.
Featured Online Programs
Top 10 Accredited Colleges in New York
Columbia University
New York, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$59,450
$59,450
4%
23%
$50,496
$50,496
99%
33,776
Private
Yes
$59,450
$59,450
New York, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$59,450
$59,450
4%
23%
$50,496
$50,496
99%
33,776
Private
Yes
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$60,286
$60,286
9%
12%
$29,500
$29,500
97%
25,582
Private
Yes
$60,286
$60,286
Ithaca, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$60,286
$60,286
9%
12%
$29,500
$29,500
97%
25,582
Private
Yes
New York University
New York, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$53,770
$53,770
13%
45%
$35,982
$35,982
94%
58,226
Private
Yes
$53,770
$53,770
New York, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$53,770
$53,770
13%
45%
$35,982
$35,982
94%
58,226
Private
Yes
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$7,070
$24,990
48%
66%
$11,310
$23,100
89%
26,608
Public
Yes
$7,070
$24,990
Stony Brook, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$7,070
$24,990
48%
66%
$11,310
$23,100
89%
26,608
Public
Yes
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY4 yearCampus
$61,940
$61,940
20%
N/A
$61,940
$61,940
95%
2,516
Private
Yes
$61,940
$61,940
Poughkeepsie, NY4 yearCampus
$61,940
$61,940
20%
N/A
$61,940
$61,940
95%
2,516
Private
Yes
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$55,920
$55,920
59%
25%
$41,616
$41,616
90%
21,772
Private
Yes
$55,920
$55,920
Syracuse, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$55,920
$55,920
59%
25%
$41,616
$41,616
90%
21,772
Private
Yes
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$58,276
$58,276
41%
14%
$46,779
$46,779
91%
12,039
Private
Yes
$58,276
$58,276
Rochester, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$58,276
$58,276
41%
14%
$46,779
$46,779
91%
12,039
Private
Yes
Binghamton University
Vestal, NY4 yearCampus
$7,070
$24,910
44%
9%
$11,310
$23,100
91%
18,055
Public
Yes
$7,070
$24,910
Vestal, NY4 yearCampus
$7,070
$24,910
44%
9%
$11,310
$23,100
91%
18,055
Public
Yes
Barnard College
New York, NY4 yearCampus
$57,734
$57,734
11%
6%
N/A
N/A
97%
3,043
Private
Yes
$57,734
$57,734
New York, NY4 yearCampus
$57,734
$57,734
11%
6%
N/A
N/A
97%
3,043
Private
Yes
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$7,070
$24,990
70%
61%
$11,310
$23,100
83%
32,332
Public
Yes
$7,070
$24,990
Buffalo, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$7,070
$24,990
70%
61%
$11,310
$23,100
83%
32,332
Public
Yes
List of All Colleges in New York
We’ve compiled a list of all four-year nonprofit schools in New York. You can search for specific schools and view information on student enrollment numbers, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.
Note that schools enrolling fewer than 500 undergraduates were not considered for this list. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Avg. Annual Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelphi University | 7,252 | $26,953 | 73% | 17,301 |
| Alfred University | 1,813 | $26,183 | 51% | 7,091 |
| Alliance University | 1,595 | $22,184 | 100% | 285 |
| Bard College | 2,706 | $25,214 | 46% | 6,482 |
| Barnard College | 3,442 | $26,009 | 9% | 12,009 |
| Binghamton University | 18,312 | $19,535 | 42% | 41,642 |
| Canisius College | 2,492 | $19,635 | 78% | 4,131 |
| Cazenovia College | 745 | $17,238 | 75% | 1,490 |
| Clarkson University | 3,719 | $32,450 | 78% | 6,594 |
| Colgate University | 3,141 | $27,074 | 12% | 21,109 |
| College of Mount Saint Vincent | 2,877 | $17,084 | 89% | 3,465 |
| College of Staten Island CUNY | 10,248 | $7,217 | 100% | N/A |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 34,782 | $22,058 | 4% | 60,879 |
| Cornell University | 25,898 | $26,060 | 7% | 69,195 |
| Culinary Institute of America | 3,124 | $33,499 | 95% | 1,887 |
| CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College | 19,854 | $4,991 | 50% | 25,693 |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | 14,195 | $5,972 | 55% | 28,890 |
| CUNY City College | 14,489 | $5,181 | 67% | 33,648 |
| CUNY Hunter College | 22,970 | $4,848 | 48% | 33,944 |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 13,921 | $5,001 | 51% | 18,807 |
| CUNY Lehman College | 13,015 | $4,974 | 55% | 22,455 |
| CUNY Medgar Evers College | 3,640 | $8,250 | 88% | 11,553 |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | 13,087 | $6,406 | 82% | 21,335 |
| CUNY Queens College | 17,001 | $6,434 | 69% | 22,324 |
| CUNY York College | 6,446 | $6,670 | 59% | 16,112 |
| D’Youville University | 2,518 | $21,755 | 84% | 3,115 |
| Daemen University | 2,642 | $20,273 | 80% | 2,752 |
| Dominican University New York | 1,407 | $23,747 | 89% | 1,614 |
| Elmira College | 657 | $24,040 | 96% | 1,456 |
| Empire State University | 9,407 | $9,704 | 100% | N/A |
| Excelsior University | 15,833 | N/A | 100% | N/A |
| Farmingdale State College | 9,314 | $8,111 | 73% | 6,426 |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 8,125 | $20,900 | 53% | 4,669 |
| Fordham University | 16,556 | $43,943 | 54% | 47,203 |
| Hamilton College | 2,072 | $24,503 | 12% | 9,899 |
| Hartwick College | 1,103 | $22,396 | 60% | 3,553 |
| Hilbert College | 877 | $16,930 | 95% | 1,354 |
| Hobart and William Smith Colleges | 1,607 | $34,259 | 68% | 5,082 |
| Hofstra University | 10,238 | $35,036 | 69% | 23,577 |
| Houghton University | 833 | $21,550 | 77% | 974 |
| Iona University | 3,621 | $28,827 | 96% | 6,228 |
| Ithaca College | 5,054 | $35,858 | 75% | 12,446 |
| Keuka College | 1,250 | $28,397 | 93% | 1,734 |
| Le Moyne College | 3,203 | $23,309 | 78% | 7,066 |
| Long Island University | 15,737 | $25,802 | 93% | 14,332 |
| Manhattan College | 3,575 | $29,535 | 82% | 9,930 |
| Manhattan School of Music | 1,115 | $51,278 | 55% | 1,027 |
| Manhattanville College | 2,240 | $24,702 | 84% | 3,338 |
| Marist College | 6,464 | $39,364 | 63% | 10,966 |
| Marymount Manhattan College | 1,608 | $39,442 | 72% | 7,636 |
| Medaille University | 1,727 | $14,992 | 69% | 1,689 |
| Mercy University | 8,615 | $15,879 | 86% | 7,891 |
| Molloy University | 4,807 | $27,243 | 77% | 5,412 |
| Mount Saint Mary College | 1,918 | $23,439 | 88% | 2,604 |
| Nazareth College | 2,522 | $31,620 | 84% | 3,911 |
| New York Institute of Technology | 6,906 | $22,494 | 76% | 11,537 |
| New York University | 59,144 | $29,499 | 12% | 100,662 |
| Niagara University | 3,858 | $18,165 | 90% | 3,836 |
| Pace University | 13,609 | $33,363 | 83% | 26,613 |
| Pratt Institute | 5,494 | $47,326 | 50% | 10,129 |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | 6,968 | $39,127 | 65% | 16,863 |
| Roberts Wesleyan University | 1,573 | $23,341 | 100% | 1,006 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | 16,615 | $39,600 | 67% | 23,976 |
| Russell Sage College | 2,159 | $22,456 | 74% | 1,737 |
| Sarah Lawrence College | 1,696 | $42,781 | 50% | 5,186 |
| Siena College | 3,648 | $30,842 | 80% | 8,344 |
| Skidmore College | 2,758 | $33,389 | 26% | 13,183 |
| St. Bonaventure University | 2,602 | $26,004 | 81% | 3,774 |
| St. Francis College | 2,661 | $18,602 | 84% | 4,272 |
| St. John Fisher University | 3,621 | $28,312 | 73% | 4,200 |
| St. John’s University | 19,663 | $26,052 | 85% | 24,607 |
| St. Joseph’s University, New York | 4,348 | $18,001 | 77% | 4,306 |
| St. Lawrence University | 2,175 | $33,283 | 63% | 5,172 |
| St. Thomas Aquinas College | 2,033 | $21,745 | 89% | 1,861 |
| Stony Brook University | 25,710 | $17,213 | 49% | 40,513 |
| SUNY at Albany | 16,658 | $17,714 | 68% | 25,976 |
| SUNY at Fredonia | 3,491 | $15,795 | 85% | 4,597 |
| SUNY at Purchase College | 3,182 | $19,434 | 75% | 5,747 |
| SUNY Brockport | 6,424 | $16,261 | 68% | 7,683 |
| SUNY Buffalo State University | 6,445 | $13,812 | 86% | 12,292 |
| SUNY College at Geneseo | 4,184 | $19,557 | 75% | 9,069 |
| SUNY College at Old Westbury | 4,270 | $12,329 | 92% | 3,825 |
| SUNY College at Plattsburgh | 4,474 | $17,625 | 70% | 6,872 |
| SUNY College at Potsdam | 2,427 | $15,310 | 83% | 3,170 |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | 1,976 | $20,928 | 70% | 2,466 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Canton | 2,836 | $14,049 | 95% | 2,280 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | 2,612 | $16,314 | 83% | 3,621 |
| SUNY Cortland | 6,690 | $18,304 | 60% | 11,711 |
| SUNY Maritime College | 1,427 | $19,712 | 80% | 1,337 |
| SUNY New Paltz | 6,964 | $19,592 | 58% | 13,228 |
| SUNY Oneonta | 5,430 | $18,129 | 73% | 9,895 |
| SUNY Oswego | 6,906 | $17,376 | 83% | 12,555 |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute | 2,842 | $13,799 | 82% | 2,919 |
| Syracuse University | 22,698 | $43,651 | 52% | 41,489 |
| The College of Saint Rose | 2,786 | $23,294 | 78% | 2,456 |
| The Juilliard School | 986 | $43,151 | 11% | 2,083 |
| The New School | 10,108 | $55,480 | 57% | 9,524 |
| Touro University | 11,111 | $23,960 | 71% | 1,530 |
| Union College | 2,107 | $41,136 | 47% | 8,458 |
| United States Merchant Marine Academy | 943 | $4,891 | 27% | 1,532 |
| United States Military Academy | 4,393 | N/A | 12% | 12,559 |
| University at Buffalo | 32,099 | $18,524 | 68% | 30,939 |
| University of Rochester | 12,197 | $39,775 | 39% | 19,966 |
| Utica University | 3,861 | $22,372 | 81% | 3,367 |
| Vassar College | 2,459 | $30,603 | 19% | 11,412 |
| Wagner College | 1,949 | $29,710 | 69% | 2,645 |
| Yeshiva University | 6,056 | $35,912 | 63% | 1,615 |
Accreditation for Colleges in New York
Accredited New York colleges and universities meet the highest standards for academic quality. That matters when earning a degree. Choose an accredited school or program to make sure you’ll get the most out of your education.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits the best colleges in New York. Considering an online college? Look for accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation provides additional information on accreditation, including databases of accredited schools and programs.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend College in New York?
Considering New York’s cost of living, college can be surprisingly affordable. New Yorkers can expect to spend under $10,000 per year in tuition at public colleges. And while private college tuition generally costs more, many private New York colleges offer financial aid.
The table below breaks down the cost of college in New York by school type.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public 4-Year (In-State) | $8,416 |
| Public 4-Year (Out-of-State) | $20,113 |
| Private 4-Year | $42,631 |
| Public 2-Year (In-State) | $5,576 |
| Public 2-Year (Out-of-State) | $8,874 |
Featured Online Programs
Scholarships for New York Students
Attending college in New York? There are many scholarships for New York students. Check out the following programs, and make sure to contact your school’s financial aid office to learn about more opportunities.
- New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) Tuition Assistance Program: New York offers a tuition assistance program for residents attending college in New York. You can receive up to $5,665 per year in grant money. The program sets income eligibility limits and awards funds to both part- and full-time students.
- First Responders Children’s Foundation General Scholarship: The children of police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics may qualify for this scholarship. Awards are based on need, merit, and achievements. You must be a full-time student with a minimum 2.7 GPA.
- NYS Aid for Part-Time Study: Part-time students qualify for grants through the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation. You must be a New York resident enrolled part time at an approved New York college. This grant also sets income eligibility limitations.
Highest-Paying Jobs in New York
It’s no secret that New York is an expensive state. But if you choose the right field, working in New York can pay off. After all, the state’s salaries are generally higher to compensate for the higher cost of living.
Learn more about the most in-demand careers in New York, and then check out the highest-paying career paths. The 10 jobs listed below earn the largest salaries in New York.
| Job | Annual Median Wage (2023) |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetists | $235,040 |
| Chief Executives | $233,777 |
| Oral Surgeons | $227,863 |
| Ophthalmologists | $227,613 |
| Physicians, All Other | $220,532 |
| Neurologists | $218,119 |
| Psychiatrists | $217,230 |
| Financial Managers | $216,135 |
| Sales Managers | $211,564 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $201,791 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in New York
How many colleges are in New York?
When you include all public and private colleges, community colleges, and trade schools, there are almost 300 schools in New York, according to NCES data. The state houses two major university networks: the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY).
New York has many public and private four-year universities, including New York University and Syracuse University. The state is also home to two Ivy League schools, Columbia University and Cornell University.
What qualifies you for free college in New York?
Through the Excelsior Scholarship, students enrolled full time in an associate degree or bachelor’s degree program at a CUNY or SUNY college are eligible for free tuition. You must be able to show proof of New York residency for at least 12 consecutive months before your starting term.
Interested students must also earn less than $125,000 in gross adjusted household income, submit the FAFSA, and apply for a tuition assistance program. After you graduate, you must live in New York for the same amount of time that you accepted the scholarship money for. Otherwise, the scholarship converts into a loan.
What is the cheapest college in New York?
In terms of tuition, the cheapest colleges in New York are all part of the CUNY or SUNY network, with the CUNY colleges being slightly cheaper. For in-state students, the cost of tuition at a CUNY school is about $6,930, while the tuition cost at a SUNY school is about $7,070.
Because the cost of living can vary between cities in New York, you should also consider the cost of living in each area when determining the cheapest college for you. While the cost of living in New York City is well above the national average, several areas in New York, like Buffalo, have a cost of living below the national average.
Do I need to live in New York to attend an online college in New York?
No, you don’t need to live in New York to attend New York colleges and universities online. Many of the state’s public and private colleges offer online classes and 100% online degrees.
You can enroll in online colleges in New York City or across the state. Some online colleges in New York even offer tuition discounts for out-of-state students.
What is the biggest college in New York?
The biggest college in New York is New York University. Located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood, NYU enrolls 59,144 students. Columbia ranks next, with around 35,000 students.
Other large colleges in New York include Stony Brook, the University at Buffalo, and Cornell, each of which enrolls over 25,000 students.
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