Best Colleges in New York
New York, the Empire State, with the motto “Ever Upward,” is a Northeastern state that’s home to the Statue of Liberty, the US symbol of freedom, democracy, and opportunity. New York City, The Big Apple, has, likewise, become known as a place of entrepreneurship, social tolerance, cinemas, and Broadway, and claims more than 40% of the state’s population. There are more than 200 colleges in New York, dozens of which are a part of either the State University of New York (SUNY) or the City University of New York (CUNY) systems. The oldest institution in the state is Columbia University, which was originally chartered as King’s College, and it’s also the most selective. New York has two federal service academies, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Judaism institutions. Financial services claims the top industry spot in NY, but its closely followed by health care, professional and technical services, and retail trade. Standard attractions for New York include the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building, as well as Watkins Glen State Park, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, and the Enchanted Mountain region.
How Were the Top Schools in New York Chosen?
Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
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Founded in response to neighboring Columbia University’s all-male admission policy, Barnard College is one of the oldest women’s colleges in the United States and a member of the Seven Sisters colleges. Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Barnard...
Barnard college is one of the most unique college experiences that exist- partly because of it's location in NYC, partly because of the affiliation with Columbia, and partly because of its existence as a women's college. Being a part of Columbia is...
” – Cassie
Named for Alexander Hamilton and founded in 1812, Hamilton College is a 4-year liberal arts college in central New York State. Hamilton confers undergraduate degrees in 43 academic concentrations and features an open curriculum policy. To provide...
I have been extremely pleased with my academic experience at Hamilton. My professors have challenged me intellectually and really pushed me to new levels, while remaining friendly, professional, and passionate about their subject. They have...
” – from MA
Originally founded in 1861 as a school for women, Vassar College is a 4-year coeducational liberal arts college in southern New York State. Vassar grants bachelor’s degrees in 51 academic majors and was one of the first schools in the United States...
Vassar's zero core curriculum approach to academics allows any student to explore their academic interests to the fullest degree. The professors are wonderful and the majority have the highest degree possible in their field. They are open to...
” – Erin from Boston, MA
Established in 1819, Colgate University is a selective 4-year private liberal arts institution in central New York State and one of the oldest universities in the northeast. Colgate confers bachelor’s degrees in 56 academic majors and the campus is...
I came to Colgate with a pretty narrow idea of what I wanted to study and what I wanted out of my collegiate career. Colgate has, however, reshaped my ideas about the potential of a college education. I thought that both the core program and the...
” – Peter from Hamilton, NY
On 1,000 acres of Saratoga Springs, New York, is Skidmore College, a liberal arts institution that offers students 43 majors and more than 120 study abroad programs. Considered a "Hidden Ivy," Skidmore routinely makes national lists, including as one...
One can learn a great deal at Skidmore College because the classes are designed to enhance critical thinking and social awareness. Students are encouraged to ask many questions in class discussions and in lectures. Most professors assign research...
” – Rasheed from Brooklyn, NY
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, founded in 1859 in the East Village of Manhattan by Peter Cooper, is a top-ranked, all-honors college committed to making education fair and accessible to all. Every admitted undergraduate...
I think the small class sizes will ensure maximum teacher/student interactions
” – Suhaibu from St.thomas, VI
Founded in 1754, Columbia University is a private research university located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The urban Ivy League campus houses 17 libraries and 20 schools, which offer upwards of 350 majors, as well as the Cathedral of St. John...
The amount of learning that takes place in one semester at Columbia is truly amazing. I have learned more in such a short period of time than I would have ever thought possible. As much as we may all complain about how extensive the Core Curriculum...
” – Nina from Baldwin, NY
The University of Rochester is private, research university highly ranked in the National Universities list by U.S. News & World Report. It operates under the mission "Learn, Discover, Heal, Create—and Make the World Ever Better" and students can...
The curriculum at the University of Rochester is what really makes it special. There are no general education requirements. The only required course for all majors is a writing class, which is offered in many subject areas to allow you to explore a...
” – Eloise from Rochester, NY
As an Ivy League, a research institution, and one of three private land-grant universities in the US, Cornell University admissions are highly competitive. Since Cornell was founded in 1865 in Ithaca, NY, it has been a co-educational, nonsectarian...
With the exorbitant amount of majors offered, it is extremely easy to find your niche at Cornell. As an engineer, I was worried about immediately being funneled into classes filled to the brim with only math and science majors and engineers. I was...
” – Samantha from Ithaca, NY
Founded in 1795 as the first college chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, Union College is a 4-year liberal arts institution located in upstate New York. The first liberal arts college to offer a degree program in engineering, Union...
Overall students generally feel like they're learning quite a bit. The professors are great and help you to really understand things. Still, sometimes things are being taught that you MAY have already learned in high school (especially if you took...
” – Victoria from Athens, NY
New York University, more commonly referred to as NYU, is a private university with campuses and academic centers all over the world, including Abu Dhabi, Shanghai, Africa, and Europe. As one of the largest private universities in the US, it’s...
The learning portion is inevitable, isn’t it? NYU has various schools underneath its purple umbrella – College of Arts and Science, Tisch School of the Arts, Stern School of Business, Steinhardt School of Culture/Education/Human Development, College...
” – Lana from Tenafly, NJ
St. Lawrence University is a liberal arts college on the border of New York State and Canada. The Canton, NY, campus consist of 94 buildings on 1,000 acres that provide students with 69 majors and the option to design a program through St. Lawrence’s...
There’s no doubt that St. Lawrence offers plenty of opportunities and experiences that get students learning, growing, and living to their best potential. The administration, advisors, and all professors are extremely accessible and willing to help...
” – Marilyn from Huntington Park, CA
Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the oldest continuously operating technological research university in the United States. On top of the usual academic offerings, RPI has programs in current and emerging issues, including in...
RPI is a wonderful place to learn. The academics are rigorous here, but the hard work pays off. Although it's a technological institute, there are lots of fields you can pursue, including biology, architechture, management, information technology...
” – DS from Troy, NY
Syracuse University is a private, research institution located in the New York town of the same name. SU’s 13 academic divisions offer 200 majors and 100 minors for undergraduate students, as well as multiple international study programs in 60...
The selection of classes is amazing -- it is impossible to be disinterested in each and every one. Even in the required courses (generally speaking, there's only one, all the rest are options) you will be able to learn and stay interested...
” – Angela from Syracuse, NY
Manhattan School of Music is a music conservatory based in the Upper West Side of New York City offering degrees in musical theatre, jazz, and classical music. Students study with recording artists, opera companies, jazz musicians, and professional...
All of the faculty are extremely learned and passionate, eager to pass their knowledge on to students, even if you're not so interested. There are classes in pretty much every musical subject you might want - theory, aural skills, composition, injury...
” – Mariya from New Paltz, NY
Binghamton University is a 4-year research institution located on a 930-acre campus in New York state and is ranked #32 in Top Public Schools by US News & World Report. The university’s six schools offer 130 academic programs that provide research...
The professors here are great! If you need help they are there for you. Often times students don't go to them so they really do want you to come to them or else they won't have anything to do during office hours.
” – Wendy from Brooklyn, NYWebb Institute is a private, 4-year institution established in Glen Cove, New York. Academics at Webb Institute are engineering-based, and students at the college learn in the fields of both Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Students are...
At Fordham, you’ll receive a rigorous, Jesuit education in one of the world’s greatest cities. Our students reflect the diversity of New York City, coming from across the U.S. and around the world. Students choose from more than 70 majors and minors...
With the benefits of the most culturally diverse and intellectually-stimulating city in the world at your fingertips, as well as a curriculum following the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person, Fordham University offers the best education...
” – Taylor from Girard, KS
Founded in 1905, the Juilliard School is a performing arts conservatory in New York City. Juilliard offers undergraduate degrees in Dance, Drama, and Music as well as concentrations in several theatrical and musical fields of study. Located on the...
This school seems like the perfect place to immerse yourself in the performing arts and step up to a professional level.
” – Rebekah from Wheaton, IL
Originally founded as a seminary for training future Marist Brothers, Marist College is a Roman Catholic school in southeast New York State. Marist grants bachelor’s degrees in 47 academic programs. Outside of the classroom, Marist maintains...
The classes tend to be small, I've never been in a class with more than 25 students. This is so beneficial because each student gets as much individual attention as they need. Most teachers are quite dedicated and have real passion for their subjects...
” – Emily from Alamo, CA