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    Top Colleges in New York

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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    Updated: October 2nd, 2024

    New York has earned its reputation as one of the most famous states in the US. It’s also earned its reputation as a great state to pursue a higher education. With schools like Columbia and Fordham in the Big Apple, and schools like Cornell and Syracuse in the rest of the state, there are great options for anyone in New York. Check out our list below to find the option for you.

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    70 colleges
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    C

    Columbia University in the City of New York

    New York, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, Columbia University is renowned for its prestigious Core Curriculum, which includes interdisciplinary courses in literature, philosophy, history, and more. Columbia also…Read More

    Located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, Columbia…Read More

    4% acceptance
    95% graduation rate
    8,902 undergrads
    $23,497 net price
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    M

    United States Merchant Marine Academy

    Kings Point, NY • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public 4-year college located in Kings Point, New York. There are currently 931 undergraduates at USMMA and the school’s acceptance rate is 27%.…Read More

    United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public 4-year college…Read More

    27% acceptance
    77% graduation rate
    931 undergrads
    $6,502 net price
    C

    Cornell University

    Ithaca, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University is known for its Ivy League member status and scenic campus. Notable alumni include Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Bill Nye, and Toni Morrison.

    Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University is known for…Read More

    7% acceptance
    95% graduation rate
    15,676 undergrads
    $29,651 net price

    The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

    New York, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Located in the heart of New York City, Cooper Union is known for its strong programs in architecture, engineering, and art. The college offers half-tuition scholarships to all admitted students…Read More

    Located in the heart of New York City, Cooper Union…Read More

    22% acceptance
    83% graduation rate
    892 undergrads
    $14,580 net price
    C

    Colgate University

    Hamilton, NY • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Situated in Hamilton, New York, Colgate University is known for its beautiful campus and strong liberal arts curriculum. Colgate students will receive a strong education in many different sets of…Read More

    Situated in Hamilton, New York, Colgate University is known for…Read More

    12% acceptance
    91% graduation rate
    3,124 undergrads
    $24,052 net price
    B

    CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

    New York, NY • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is a public 4-year college located in New York, New York. There are currently 15,554 undergraduates at Baruch and the school’s acceptance rate is 50%.…Read More

    CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is a public 4-year college…Read More

    50% acceptance
    74% graduation rate
    15,554 undergrads
    $3,644 net price
    H

    Hamilton College

    Clinton, NY • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Located in Clinton, New York, Hamilton College is known for its open curriculum, which allows students to choose courses that match their interests. The college emphasizes writing and public speaking,…Read More

    Located in Clinton, New York, Hamilton College is known for…Read More

    12% acceptance
    92% graduation rate
    2,071 undergrads
    $24,837 net price
    B

    Binghamton University

    Vestal, NY • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Binghamton University is a public 4-year college located in Vestal, New York. There are currently 14,398 undergraduates at Binghamton and the school’s acceptance rate is 42%. The tuition at Binghamton…Read More

    Binghamton University is a public 4-year college located in Vestal,…Read More

    42% acceptance
    83% graduation rate
    14,398 undergrads
    $21,594 net price
    R

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    Troy, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Troy, New York. There are currently 5,886 undergraduates at RPI and the school’s acceptance rate is 65%. The tuition…Read More

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    65% acceptance
    84% graduation rate
    5,886 undergrads
    $34,399 net price
    B

    Boricua College

    New York, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Boricua College, with campuses in New York City, is a private liberal arts college dedicated to serving the Hispanic community. The college offers bilingual education and emphasizes cultural awareness and…Read More

    Boricua College, with campuses in New York City, is a…Read More

    --% acceptance
    89% graduation rate
    391 undergrads
    $14,127 net price
    B

    Barnard College

    New York, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Located in Upper Manhattan's Morningside Heights, Barnard is a women's college that allows its students to take classes at Columbia and participate in joint clubs and organizations. The school is…Read More

    Located in Upper Manhattan's Morningside Heights, Barnard is a women's…Read More

    9% acceptance
    92% graduation rate
    3,126 undergrads
    $27,999 net price
    S

    Stony Brook University

    Stony Brook, NY • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Stony Brook University, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, is a public research university located in Stony Brook, New York. Known for its strengths in science,…Read More

    Stony Brook University, part of the State University of New…Read More

    49% acceptance
    78% graduation rate
    17,406 undergrads
    $17,232 net price
    M

    Manhattan College

    Riverdale, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Manhattan College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Riverdale, New York. There are currently 3,066 undergraduates at Manhattan and the school’s acceptance rate is 82%. The tuition at…Read More

    Manhattan College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    82% acceptance
    72% graduation rate
    3,066 undergrads
    $28,590 net price
    S

    SUNY Maritime College

    Throggs Neck, NY • Public, City

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    SUNY Maritime College is a public 4-year college located in Throggs Neck, New York. There are currently 1,291 undergraduates at Maritime College and the school’s acceptance rate is 80%. The…Read More

    SUNY Maritime College is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    80% acceptance
    73% graduation rate
    1,291 undergrads
    $21,096 net price
    R

    University of Rochester

    Rochester, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Rochester, New York. There are currently 6,569 undergraduates at Rochester and the school’s acceptance rate is 39%. The tuition…Read More

    University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    39% acceptance
    90% graduation rate
    6,569 undergrads
    $30,902 net price
    V

    Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie, NY • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind

    Vassar College, located in Poughkeepsie, New York, was one of the first women’s colleges in the United States before becoming coeducational. It is known for its strong arts programs and…Read More

    Vassar College, located in Poughkeepsie, New York, was one of…Read More

    19% acceptance
    92% graduation rate
    2,430 undergrads
    $35,701 net price
    B

    University at Buffalo

    Buffalo, NY • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top Affordability
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    University at Buffalo is a public 4-year college located in Buffalo, New York. There are currently 20,569 undergraduates at UB and the school’s acceptance rate is 68%. The tuition at…Read More

    University at Buffalo is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    68% acceptance
    74% graduation rate
    20,569 undergrads
    $19,592 net price
    U

    Union College

    Schenectady, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Schenectady, New York. There are currently 2,077 undergraduates at Union and the school’s acceptance rate is 47%. The tuition at…Read More

    Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    47% acceptance
    85% graduation rate
    2,077 undergrads
    $35,375 net price
    G

    SUNY College at Geneseo

    Geneseo, NY • Public, Town

    Top College Top Affordability
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    SUNY College at Geneseo is a public 4-year college located in Geneseo, New York. There are currently 4,078 undergraduates at Geneseo and the school’s acceptance rate is 75%. The tuition…Read More

    SUNY College at Geneseo is a public 4-year college located…Read More

    75% acceptance
    74% graduation rate
    4,078 undergrads
    $18,950 net price
    S

    Syracuse University

    Syracuse, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Syracuse University, located in Syracuse, New York, is a private research university known for its strong programs in communications, business, and the arts. The university's Carrier Dome is one of…Read More

    Syracuse University, located in Syracuse, New York, is a private…Read More

    52% acceptance
    83% graduation rate
    15,071 undergrads
    $36,889 net price
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    About the Data

    We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    State Grants in New York

    Most states offer their own state-wide grants to help residents obtain an affordable education. Here are some of the most prominent state-wide grants in New York:

    New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

    TAP is a need-based grant for New York students attending a college in New York state. As of 2023, the award could be up to $5,665 every year. The program has specific requirements for fields of study and approved schools, so be sure to check in with your school’s financial aid office to see if you qualify. Both part-time and full-time students can take advantage of this program.

    New York State Excelsior Scholarship

    The Excelsior Scholarship is a need-based program that allows New York students to attend CUNY or SUNY schools for free. Be sure to check in with your school’s financial aid office for eligibility information; as of 2023, the income cap for a family was $125,000 per year.

    New York Tuition Reciprocity Agreements

    Unfortunately, New York State does not participate in any tuition reciprocity programs. That means New York residents will not be able to get in-state tuition at public schools in any other state. However, New York has so many different educational opportunities, most students are able to find a good fit without leaving the state.

    Other college lists to explore

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the hardest New York college to get into?

    Columbia University has the lowest admissions rate in the state of New York, with 4% of applicants admitted in 2023. However, it’s important not to be discouraged by a low acceptance rate. Every college application is reviewed differently, and students should be sure to apply to several schools they don’t feel confident about getting into.

    Why should I study in New York?

    New York is home to some of the country’s best universities. What’s more, New York City itself is a cultural and economic hub for the world. In addition to experiencing one of the world’s best-known cities, students get opportunities for jobs and internships that are unrivaled in most other cities.

    Are CUNY schools free?

    New York residents with a high demonstrated financial need can attend CUNY schools tuition-free through the Excelsior Scholarship. The grant requires that students complete high school or obtain a GED or other relevant credential, but has no other academic eligibility requirements.

    It’s important to note that this scholarship covers tuition, but students will have to apply to additional grants to make college free. Expenses such as room and board, textbooks, fees, and other miscellaneous costs can add up. Although scholarships such as Excelsior can be a huge help for students, it’s important to budget these other expenses into your college plan as well.

    Are SUNY schools free?

    New York residents with a high demonstrated financial need can attend SUNY schools tuition-free through the Excelsior Scholarship. The grant requires that students complete high school or obtain a GED or other relevant credential, but has no other academic eligibility requirements.

    It’s important to note that this scholarship covers tuition, but students will have to apply to additional grants to make college free. Expenses such as room and board, textbooks, fees, and other miscellaneous costs can add up.

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