Hardest New York Colleges to Get Into
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A New York state government report shows that the state’s public and private colleges enrolled nearly 950,000 students in 2021. Many applicants competing for spots at the state’s top schools make for a competitive admissions process. Columbia, Cornell, and Barnard’s low acceptance rates make them some of the most competitive colleges in the nation.
You can raise your chances of admission to one of the best colleges in New York by maintaining a good high school GPA, participating in extracurricular activities, and submitting excellent essays.
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List of the Hardest New York Colleges to Get Into
The following table reflects the 2022 enrollment data from the National Council for Education Statistics. School websites may provide further information about the costs of attendance and admissions.
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Avg. Annual Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 34,782 | $22,058 | 4% | 60,879 |
| Cornell University | 25,898 | $26,060 | 7% | 69,195 |
| Barnard College | 3,442 | $26,009 | 9% | 12,009 |
| The Juilliard School | 986 | $43,151 | 11% | 2,083 |
| Colgate University | 3,141 | $27,074 | 12% | 21,109 |
| Hamilton College | 2,072 | $24,503 | 12% | 9,899 |
| New York University | 59,144 | $29,499 | 12% | 100,662 |
| United States Military Academy | 4,393 | N/A | 12% | 12,559 |
| Vassar College | 2,459 | $30,603 | 19% | 11,412 |
| Skidmore College | 2,758 | $33,389 | 26% | 13,183 |
| United States Merchant Marine Academy | 943 | $4,891 | 27% | 1,532 |
| University of Rochester | 12,197 | $39,775 | 39% | 19,966 |
| Binghamton University | 18,312 | $19,535 | 42% | 41,642 |
| Bard College | 2,706 | $25,214 | 46% | 6,482 |
| Union College | 2,107 | $41,136 | 47% | 8,458 |
| CUNY Hunter College | 22,970 | $4,848 | 48% | 33,944 |
| Stony Brook University | 25,710 | $17,213 | 49% | 40,513 |
| CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College | 19,854 | $4,991 | 50% | 25,693 |
| Pratt Institute | 5,494 | $47,326 | 50% | 10,129 |
| Sarah Lawrence College | 1,696 | $42,781 | 50% | 5,186 |
10 Colleges in New York With the Lowest Acceptance Rates
The 10 colleges in New York with the lowest acceptance rates want the best applicants. Check their admissions website to learn more about improving your application.
1. Columbia University
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Founded in 1754, Columbia University hosts 17 schools — including the Columbia School of Nursing and Teachers College — that educate undergraduate degree-seekers in and around New York City. The latest data from Columbia shows that 95% of incoming first-year students graduate in the top 10% of their high school class. The middle 50% of these learners also hold a 1510-1560 SAT or 34-35 ACT score.
2. Cornell University
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Cornell University educates about 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students on its Ithaca campus. The over 2,600-member faculty includes 51 Nobel laureates.
The number of applicants to Cornell tripled between 2004-2023, which significantly affected Cornell’s acceptance rate. Cornell could only increase enrollment by about 25% during this time, meaning it had to turn away many qualified prospective students.
3. Barnard College
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, Barnard College features a diverse student body representing 45 states and 51 countries. Top majors include economics, English, and history.
Over 90% of Barnard’s class of 2026 graduated in the top 10% of their high school class. The middle 50% of these learners also earned a 32-34 ACT score.
4. The Juilliard School
Acceptance Rate: 11%
The Juilliard School’s dance, drama, and music programs educate more than 800 students representing dozens of states and countries. Juilliard’s low acceptance rate stems from its long reputation of educating world-renowned performers. You must meet your program’s unique requirements, such as passing an in-person interview or creating an extensive portfolio.
5. Colgate University
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Colgate University students enjoy a 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 16. The average first-year student holds a 3.97 high school GPA. Over 80% of those admitted also rank in the top 10% of their high school graduating class.
6. Hamilton College
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Situated in Clinton, Hamilton College offers learners 44 undergraduate majors and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Degree-seekers come from 47 states and 54 countries, and 55% of undergraduates receive institutional financial aid. The middle 50% of first-year students earned at least a 1430 SAT or 32 ACT score.
7. New York University
Acceptance Rate: 12%
With more than 270 undergraduate areas of study, New York University (NYU) attracts talented students from the United States and abroad. The typical admitted degree-seeker holds at least a 3.7 unweighted high school GPA and a 1470 SAT or 33 ACT score. Other factors impacting NYU’s acceptance rate include the number of applicants, which rose more than 75% between 2016-2021.
8. United States Military Academy
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded in 1802, the United States Military Academy (West Point) trains cadets for a career as a U.S. Army commissioned officer. You may customize your educational experience by majoring in one of 36 subjects. West Point requires an interview and a recommendation from a U.S. congressperson or senator, making West Point’s acceptance rate much lower than comparable universities.
9. Vassar College
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Originally a women’s college, Vassar College opened its doors to men in 1969. The school offers an average of $55,000 in institutional aid to eligible learners and features an 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. The typical successful applicant holds a 3.9 unweighted high school GPA.
10. Skidmore College
Acceptance Rate: 26%
Located in Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College educates 2,700 undergraduates who choose from 44 majors. The college awards more than half of all incoming first-year students need-based grants. Although Skidmore does not require standardized test scores, an interview or portfolio can help your application stand out.
4 Tips for Boosting Your Chance of College Admission in New York
- Tip One: Maintain good grades throughout high school. You can further improve your application portfolio by taking honors and Advanced Placement classes.
- Tip Two: Spend 2-3 years in the same high school extracurricular activities. Acting as a team captain or club president lets you develop in-demand leadership skills.
- Tip Three: Let someone provide feedback on your admissions essays. Their input can help you correct simple mistakes and make other helpful improvements.
- Tip Four: Work with your high school’s college admissions advisors. They can help you find competitive New York colleges where you have the best chance of admission.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in New York
What college in New York has the lowest acceptance rate?
Columbia University’s 4% acceptance rate makes it the most competitive college in New York. This figure translates to over 55,000 applicants not receiving admission annually.
Widen your college search beyond Columbia even if you exceed incoming first-year students’ academic profiles. Competitive colleges like Columbia turn away many qualified applicants due to lack of space.
What Ivy League colleges are in New York?
New York hosts two Ivy League colleges, Columbia and Cornell. The former, located in the heart of New York City, offers a low student-to-faculty ratio and more than 100 undergraduate majors. Other reasons to consider attending include generous financial aid to learners whose families earn less than $66,000 per year.
Situated in Ithaca, Cornell offers undergraduates nearly 80 undergraduate majors. The university’s institutional aid programs assist about 50% of students.
What is the hardest SUNY college to get into?
SUNY’s 2023 Admissions Information Summary shows that first-year Binghamton University students hold the best high school GPA and standardized test scores of all incoming SUNY degree-seekers. Binghamton University accepts just 42% of applicants.
As a result, you need more than good grades and test scores to stand out at Binghamton and other competitive SUNY colleges. Work with your high school’s college admissions counselors to find new ways to improve your application.
Page last reviewed November 9, 2023.
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