Best Colleges in New York

Located in New York City, Columbia boasts 26 libraries and almost 200 research institutes. Considered one of the best colleges in New York, Columbia consists of more than 15 schools and colleges, including the College of Dental Medicine; the School of International and Public Affairs; and the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

The university also maintains affiliations with Barnard College, Teachers College, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and the Union Theological Seminary. Other notable areas of study include archaeology, Slavic languages, and sustainability science. Tuition varies from school to school and from program to program.

General admission requirements for first-year applicants include transcripts, a letter of recommendation, a personal essay, and a list of activities or a resume.

A private institute located in Ithaca, Cornell also operates campuses, labs, and studios in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Qatar; and Italy — to name just a few.

Cornell offers 80 undergraduate majors and more than 100 graduate fields of study. Notable schools and colleges within Cornell include the College of Veterinary Medicine, the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the College of Human Ecology. Sample majors include atmospheric science, China and Asia-Pacific studies, and fiber science and apparel design.

First-year applicants must submit transcripts, a counselor recommendation, two teacher evaluations, and a writing sample. Some programs also ask applicants to submit a portfolio of work.

A private institute located in New York City, Barnard only admits women. The college also maintains an affiliation with Columbia University.

Barnard offers almost 50 areas of study, including options like classics and ancient studies, European studies, human rights, and neuroscience and behavior. Students can also consider joining more than 80 clubs, including pre-professional options like the Barnard Psychology Society and cultural clubs like the Korean Students Association.

Applicants must submit transcripts, a personal essay, a writing supplement, a counselor letter of recommendation, and two letters of recommendation from teachers. If desired — to boost their application packet — applicants may also complete an admissions interview, submit a portfolio, and/or include up to two additional letters of recommendation.

A private, liberal arts institute located in Clinton, Hamilton College emphasizes the importance of writing, speaking, and thinking across disciplines. Currently, the college teaches about 2,000 students each year.

Hamilton College offers 44 majors and 57 areas of study. Notable majors include cinema and media studies, geoarchaeology, and Russian studies. Areas of study only available as minors include statistics, Latin American studies, and astronomy. Students can pursue research opportunities through summer internships on campus, independent projects, and the college's Senior Program.

Admission requirements may vary depending on the program, but all first-year applicants must submit transcripts and an essay, at minimum.

Located in New York City and founded in 1831, NYU teaches more than 50,000 students each year. The university received over 100,000 applications for the 2021-2022 academic year.

In addition to its main campus, NYU operates campuses in 13 other cities around the world. The university offers several online degree and certificate programs. In total, NYU students can choose from over 230 areas of study. Notable majors include metropolitan studies, anthropology and linguistics, medieval and renaissance studies, and dramatic writing.

Tuition costs vary from school to school and from program to program. First-year applicants must submit transcripts and other materials as required by their desired program.

A private institute located in the city of the same name, Rochester educates more than 12,000 students annually but maintains a low 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Learners also have ample opportunities to engage in research, with more than 75% of undergraduates conducting student research projects.

Schools and colleges operated within the university include the Warner School of Education, the Simon Business School, and the Eastman School of Music. Notable undergraduate degrees include a bachelor of arts in American sign language, a bachelor of arts in bioethics, a master of science in epidemiology, and a doctor of philosophy in optics.

First-year applicants must submit transcripts, a counselor recommendation, and a teacher recommendation. The Eastman School of Music features a separate admissions process.

Located in Poughkeepsie, Marist also operates a campus in Florence, Italy. Marist's enrollment reaches around 6,400 students each year. Learners can access a variety of academic resources, including career services, a center for multicultural affairs, and a writing center.

Marist offers almost 50 degrees across seven schools, including the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Management, and School of Communication and the Arts. Marist also offers several fully online degree programs, including an online master of business administration.

First-year applicants must submit transcripts, a counselor letter of recommendation, a personal essay, and any supplemental materials as required by their desired program.

Located in the town of the same name, Stony Brook originally opened in Oyster Bay in 1957. Stony Brook represents one of the institutes in the State University of New York System and teaches more than 26,000 students each year.

One of the top colleges in New York, Stony Brook consists of 12 schools and colleges, including the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, the Renaissance School of Medicine, and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Notable undergraduate majors include Earth space and sciences, chemical and molecular engineering, human evolutionary biology, and Africana studies.

First-year applicants must submit transcripts and a teacher or counselor recommendation. The honors program requires additional application materials, including an additional letter of recommendation, a personal statement, and an essay.

A private institute located in Troy, Rensselaer teaches around 8,000 students each year. Research is a foundational aspect of Rensselaer — the institute oversees 30 research centers and spent more than $100 million on research in 2020.

Rensselaer operates five schools, including the Lally School of Management; the School of Architecture; and the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Notable degree offerings include a master of science in lighting, a bachelor of science in business analytics, and a doctor of philosophy in nuclear engineering and science.

First-year applicants must submit transcripts and a letter of recommendation. Most programs also require aspiring students to write an essay.

Located in the city of the same name, Binghamton debuted as Triple Cities College in 1946. The university currently teaches about 18,000 students each year and received over 42,000 applications in 2020.

Binghamton oversees six schools and colleges, including the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, and the College of Community and Public Affairs. Students can choose from over 130 undergraduate programs and more than 80 graduate degree programs. Notable degree options include a bachelor of arts in medieval and early modern studies, a master of science in genocide and mass atrocity prevention, and a doctorate of education in educational theory and practice.

First-year applicants must submit transcripts and one letter of recommendation.