10 Best Colleges in New York City 2024

Do you want to attend one of the best colleges in New York City? Do you want to discover which colleges in New York are the best? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll look at the 10 best colleges in New York to help you decide where you want to study.

New York, also known as the Big Apple and the City that Never Sleep is an excellent place to spend your academic years because it is full of many adventures.

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Guggenheim, simply visiting the museums is an education. Each area has unique characteristics, and you’ll find a favorite spot. More than 130 four-year degree-granting schools are situated in New York, including two of the major public university systems in the United States. 

10 Best Colleges In New York

Here’s our list of the best universities in New York City:

1. Columbia University

Founded in 1754, Columbia University is a private institution in New York City. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,170, and the total tuition and fee cost is $63,530.

Columbia University has several undergraduate schools, including Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of General Studies, and graduate and professional schools, including the highly ranked Business School, Teachers College, Law School, and College of Physicians and Surgeons.

There is also a highly regarded College of Dental Medicine and a graduate Journalism School, making Columbia University rank among the Best Colleges in New York. Columbia has 28 Greek chapters and offers a variety of student activities. John Jay, the founding father and first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and former US President Obama are among its notable alumni.

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Related Post: Columbia University Admission Requirements: SAT, ACT Score in 2024

2. New York University (NYU)

Established in 1831, New York University is a private institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,444. New York University ranks 28th in the Best Colleges in New York City 2024 edition, and its tuition and fees are approximately $56,000.

While the university has numerous New York campuses, its central hub is the Washington Square campus, near Greenwich Village. The school has attracted a diverse mix of writers, musicians, artists, and intellectuals to study in New York over the years.

WNYU, the student radio station that streams online and broadcasts on a local FM channel to the university community, is one of more than 300 student organizations on campus.

The College of Arts and Sciences is NYU’s largest school and college; other programs include the highly ranked Stern School of Business; Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; School of Law; School of Medicine; Silver School of Social Work; and Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. 

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READ ALSO: Study in New York University: Admission Requirements, Courses, Tuition & Ranking

3. Cornell University

Cornell University was established in 1865 as a private college. It is located in Ithaca, New York, and has over 1,000 student organizations, including the Big Red Marching Band to the International Affairs Society and a strong ice hockey program. Cornell competes in the Ivy League with 35 NCAA Division I varsity teams.

In the fall of 2024, it has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,743. Cornell University is the third-best college in New York City and the 12th-top college in the United States. It is well-known for being the first university in the United States to provide a veterinary medical degree. The cost of tuition and fees is approximately $61,000.

Cornell’s two major undergraduate colleges are the College of Arts and Sciences and Agriculture and Life Sciences. The S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, College of Engineering, Law School, and Weill Cornell Medical College are among the university’s graduate schools.

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Related Post: Cornell University(CU) Acceptance Rate in 2024 | Admission Requirement 

4. University of Rochester

Founded in 1850, the University of Rochester is a private university with 6,521 undergraduate enrollment. The institution prides itself as one of the smallest and most collegiate nation’s top research universities. It also has over 250 student organizations; one-quarter of students are affiliated with Greek life on campus.

The University of Rochester’s graduate programs includes the well-known William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration, Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Medical Center, Department of Political Science, and Department of Economics, which places Rochester University among the best colleges in New York.

More than 20 costumes, including the country’s first wind costume, are housed at the prestigious Eastman School of Music. The Institute of Optics is the country’s first optics-focused educational program. The school’s unique “Take Five Scholars” program allows students to study topics outside their major for an additional semester or year without paying tuition. Former US Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and visual effects artist Michael Kanfer, who earned an Academy Award for his work on the film “Titanic,” are among the notable alumni.

Although freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus, and two-thirds of juniors and more than half of seniors prefer to do so, tuition and fees total $60,000.

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Check out these available scholarships to study at the University of Rochester

5. Syracuse University

Established in 1870, Syracuse University is a private institution with tuition and fees of approximately $57,590. It has a total of 14,479 students enrolled.

The campus of Syracuse University is located on University Hill, above the expansive city of Syracuse in central New York state. With around 100 inches of snowfall yearly, Syracuse University’s severely cold winters provide students with many possibilities for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding on neighboring mountains. There are about 300 student organizations on campus, and around 30% of Syracuse students participate in Greek life.

Few schools are as heavily identified with color as Syracuse University. The vibrant orange color is associated with campus life, revealing itself through student media outlets such as The Daily Orange, the student-run newspaper, and CitrusTV, the television studio. The school’s sports team is known as the Orange, and they participate in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference, with school mascot Otto the Orange cheering them on. Carrier Dome, the only domed stadium in the Northeast, hosts the football team.

Syracuse alumni include actor Jerry Stiller, writer Joyce Carol Oates, former professional football player Donovan McNabb, and singer and actress Vanessa Williams, helping Syracuse to rank among the top colleges in New York City.

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SEE ALSO: 10 Best Colleges in Baltimore | 2024

6. Fordham University

Founded in 1841, Fordham University is a private institution with campuses spread throughout New York City. The Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Gardens, and Little Italy are all within walking distance of the school’s original Bronx site, Rose Hill. Fordham now has two additional campuses: Lincoln Center, near Central Park, and Westchester Campus, in West Harrison.

Freshmen are not obliged to reside on campus. Students can take the school’s Ram Van, a burgundy shuttle that operates every half hour, to travel between campuses. The Fordham Rams compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference of the NCAA Division I, run by Jesuits.

Fordham also has a total undergraduate enrollment of 9,399 students. The total cost of tuition and fees is $55,700.

NBA sportscaster Mike Breen, former U.S. Rep. Robert Giaimo of Connecticut, and former U.S. Postmaster General John E. Potter are notable alumni.

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7. Baruch College

Baruch College is a New York City college that ranks 151-160 in the USA rankings of colleges in New York. The school boasts about 19,500 students from 168 countries, making it one of the most ethnically diverse student groups in the United States.

Baruch College is at a central position, close to Midtown, Wall Street, and many international firms’ global headquarters, making it easier for students to secure internships in the city.

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8. Stony Brook University

Founded in 1957, SUNY is a public institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,01 students. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $10,400; tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $27,900.

Stony Brook University is home to the SUNY system’s only undergraduate journalism program and the highly regarded Stony Brook University Medical Center. The university also has a campus in Southampton and a Manhattan classroom building. Patricia S. Cowings, the first woman to train as an astronaut in the United States, and Craig Allen, a meteorologist for WCBS Newsradio 880 in New York City, are among the notable alumni.

Students meet yearly for events such as the Roth Pond Regatta, a race of student-built cardboard boats, and the Shirley Strum Kenny Student Arts Festival, a week of student work exhibits.

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9. Yeshiva University

Yeshiva University was established in 1886 as a Jewish institution in New York City. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,017 students and tuition and fees of around $46,900.

Yeshiva University is one of the top research-focused universities in New York, with campuses and facilities spread across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens boroughs. The university was formed to fuse Jewish traditions and culture with Western heritage. The Yeshiva University Museum, which explores Jewish life through art, architecture, and history, exemplifies this cultural focus.

Students also attend regular Shabbat programs on and off campus, which include guest speakers, social programming, and meals. Yeshiva University is recognized for its highly-ranked research possibilities at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. It also boasts a law school, placing it among the best colleges in New York.

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10. CUNY City College

Founded in 1847, the City College of New York is the founding institution of CUNY. It is home to eight schools and divisions, each dedicated to the growth of research and knowledge. It provides over 115 programs to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

CUNY is the most extensive urban university system in the United States, with 24 colleges distributed over Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn.

City College of New York alumni invented the polio vaccine, helped build the internet, and constructed the Panama Canal. Its in-state tuition and fees are $7,330, while its out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,000, ranking it among the best colleges in New York City.

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Frequently Asked Questions On The Best College in New York City

What are the best colleges in New York City?

The best colleges in New York City are as follows:
Columbia University
New York University (NYU)
Cornell University
University of Rochester
Syracuse University
Fordham University
Baruch College
Stony Brook University
Yeshiva University
CUNY City College

What are the test score requirements for New York University?

To have a better chance of being admitted into New York University, you should have a 3.69 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you must make up with a higher SAT/ACT score, such as 75th percentile, with a 1510 SAT or a 34 ACT.  

How many public colleges and universities are there in New York?

There are 75 public colleges and universities with a total enrollment of 689,314 students in New York. 

What is NYU’s acceptance rate?

With an acceptance rate of only 12%, NYU is highly selective and competitive. If you want to attend NYU, you must ensure that your application is strong enough to stand out from the crowd. NYU has admitted a decreasing number of students, and the acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 maybe even be more challenging than we see now.

Conclusion

If you’re a lover of adventure, studying in New York will open you up to many fascinating landscapes and opportunities. Apart from the top-quality colleges in New York City, you’ll have the privilege of visiting high-class museums, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Guggenheim. 

Furthermore, two of the largest public university systems in the United States are in New York. However, you should conduct your research before making a final selection on which institutions to apply to. We hope this article provides you with the basic information needed about the best colleges in New York. 

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