Private Colleges in New York: A Complete List
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Editor & Writer
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Attending a private university in New York can lead to high salary potential and excellent career opportunities.
Some of New York's most impressive universities include Columbia, Cornell, and NYU. But not every premier private institution is based in New York City — you can also choose from schools in some of the state's most scenic towns, including colleges in Syracuse and Ithaca.
If you value prestige, forming connections and networking, and proximity to booming industries, consider a private college in New York.
5 Popular Private Colleges in New York
Before we present the full list of schools, here are five popular private universities in New York to help you compare options. We chose these schools based on criteria like number of applicants, academic rigor, and general prestige.
The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
1. Columbia University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $66,139
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Total Student Enrollment: 34,782
With a Manhattan campus, students at Columbia can enjoy the hustle and vibrance of one of the world's largest cities. The Ivy League university is incredibly competitive and prestigious and boasts an impressive 95% graduation rate.
Columbia offers a unique core curriculum structure for undergrads. Here, you'll take small seminar classes across six areas: art humanities, contemporary civilization, frontiers of science, literature humanities, music humanities, and university writing.
2. Cornell University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $63,200
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Total Student Enrollment: 25,898
Located in Ithaca, Cornell flaunts one of the Ivy League's most stunning campuses. The university is known for its niche and specialized programs. It's also one of the only U.S. institutions with a four-year hospitality management bachelor's program and a veterinary school.
Rather than applying to the university as a whole, prospective first-year students must apply to one of Cornell's individual colleges.
In terms of majors, you can choose from a wide array of subjects, such as agriculture, architecture, arts and sciences, bachelor's in business administration, engineering, human ecology, and industrial and labor relations.
3. New York University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $58,168
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Total Student Enrollment: 59,144
With buildings dispersed around New York City, NYU's unique campus is often called the campus without walls.
If you're interested in drama, dance, or cinema, you've likely heard of NYU's Tisch School of Arts. Admission here is competitive, and the school boasts a long list of celebrity alums.
NYU also offers specialized study abroad programs. For example, music students can travel to NYU Prague to learn more about Czech musical heritage.
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4. Syracuse University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $60,135
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Total Student Enrollment: 22,698
Syracuse is known for its architecture and public affairs programs, with its Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs focusing on public policy research and community impact.
Within six months of graduation, 93% of recent Syracuse graduates are employed, attending grad school, or enrolled in the military. Additionally, more than 4 in 5 undergrads receive grants or scholarships.
Perhaps most impressive, however, is Syracuse's mascot — an orange ball named Otto.
5. Vassar College
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $64,800
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Total Student Enrollment: 2,459
Vassar is a small college in Poughkeepsie, where a whopping 97% of students live on campus. The school has an 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, with classes typically consisting of 10-17 students.
Vassar uses an open curriculum structure, meaning there are few core course requirements for undergrads. Beyond your major, there are just a few general education expectations: one first-year writing seminar, one quantitative analysis course, and foreign language coursework.
List of All Private Colleges in New York
Here is a complete list of all four-year nonprofit private universities in New York. Use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.
All data comes from NCES. We did not consider schools with fewer than 500 undergraduates for this list.
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Avg. Annual Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelphi University | 7,252 | $26,953 | 73% | 17,301 |
| Alfred University | 1,813 | $26,183 | 51% | 7,091 |
| Alliance University | 1,595 | $22,184 | 100% | 285 |
| Bard College | 2,706 | $25,214 | 46% | 6,482 |
| Barnard College | 3,442 | $26,009 | 9% | 12,009 |
| Canisius College | 2,492 | $19,635 | 78% | 4,131 |
| Cazenovia College | 745 | $17,238 | 75% | 1,490 |
| Clarkson University | 3,719 | $32,450 | 78% | 6,594 |
| Colgate University | 3,141 | $27,074 | 12% | 21,109 |
| College of Mount Saint Vincent | 2,877 | $17,084 | 89% | 3,465 |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 34,782 | $22,058 | 4% | 60,879 |
| Cornell University | 25,898 | $26,060 | 7% | 69,195 |
| Culinary Institute of America | 3,124 | $33,499 | 95% | 1,887 |
| D'Youville University | 2,518 | $21,755 | 84% | 3,115 |
| Daemen University | 2,642 | $20,273 | 80% | 2,752 |
| Dominican University New York | 1,407 | $23,747 | 89% | 1,614 |
| Elmira College | 657 | $24,040 | 96% | 1,456 |
| Excelsior University | 15,833 | N/A | 100% | N/A |
| Fordham University | 16,556 | $43,943 | 54% | 47,203 |
| Hamilton College | 2,072 | $24,503 | 12% | 9,899 |
| Hartwick College | 1,103 | $22,396 | 60% | 3,553 |
| Hilbert College | 877 | $16,930 | 95% | 1,354 |
| Hobart and William Smith Colleges | 1,607 | $34,259 | 68% | 5,082 |
| Hofstra University | 10,238 | $35,036 | 69% | 23,577 |
| Houghton University | 833 | $21,550 | 77% | 974 |
| Iona University | 3,621 | $28,827 | 96% | 6,228 |
| Ithaca College | 5,054 | $35,858 | 75% | 12,446 |
| Keuka College | 1,250 | $28,397 | 93% | 1,734 |
| Le Moyne College | 3,203 | $23,309 | 78% | 7,066 |
| Long Island University | 15,737 | $25,802 | 93% | 14,332 |
| Manhattan College | 3,575 | $29,535 | 82% | 9,930 |
| Manhattan School of Music | 1,115 | $51,278 | 55% | 1,027 |
| Manhattanville College | 2,240 | $24,702 | 84% | 3,338 |
| Marist College | 6,464 | $39,364 | 63% | 10,966 |
| Marymount Manhattan College | 1,608 | $39,442 | 72% | 7,636 |
| Medaille University | 1,727 | $14,992 | 69% | 1,689 |
| Mercy University | 8,615 | $15,879 | 86% | 7,891 |
| Molloy University | 4,807 | $27,243 | 77% | 5,412 |
| Mount Saint Mary College | 1,918 | $23,439 | 88% | 2,604 |
| Nazareth College | 2,522 | $31,620 | 84% | 3,911 |
| New York Institute of Technology | 6,906 | $22,494 | 76% | 11,537 |
| New York University | 59,144 | $29,499 | 12% | 100,662 |
| Niagara University | 3,858 | $18,165 | 90% | 3,836 |
| Pace University | 13,609 | $33,363 | 83% | 26,613 |
| Pratt Institute | 5,494 | $47,326 | 50% | 10,129 |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | 6,968 | $39,127 | 65% | 16,863 |
| Roberts Wesleyan University | 1,573 | $23,341 | 100% | 1,006 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | 16,615 | $39,600 | 67% | 23,976 |
| Russell Sage College | 2,159 | $22,456 | 74% | 1,737 |
| Sarah Lawrence College | 1,696 | $42,781 | 50% | 5,186 |
| Siena College | 3,648 | $30,842 | 80% | 8,344 |
| Skidmore College | 2,758 | $33,389 | 26% | 13,183 |
| St. Bonaventure University | 2,602 | $26,004 | 81% | 3,774 |
| St. Francis College | 2,661 | $18,602 | 84% | 4,272 |
| St. John Fisher University | 3,621 | $28,312 | 73% | 4,200 |
| St. John's University | 19,663 | $26,052 | 85% | 24,607 |
| St. Joseph's University, New York | 4,348 | $18,001 | 77% | 4,306 |
| St. Lawrence University | 2,175 | $33,283 | 63% | 5,172 |
| St. Thomas Aquinas College | 2,033 | $21,745 | 89% | 1,861 |
| Syracuse University | 22,698 | $43,651 | 52% | 41,489 |
| The College of Saint Rose | 2,786 | $23,294 | 78% | 2,456 |
| The Juilliard School | 986 | $43,151 | 11% | 2,083 |
| The New School | 10,108 | $55,480 | 57% | 9,524 |
| Touro University | 11,111 | $23,960 | 71% | 1,530 |
| Union College | 2,107 | $41,136 | 47% | 8,458 |
| University of Rochester | 12,197 | $39,775 | 39% | 19,966 |
| Utica University | 3,861 | $22,372 | 81% | 3,367 |
| Vassar College | 2,459 | $30,603 | 19% | 11,412 |
| Wagner College | 1,949 | $29,710 | 69% | 2,645 |
| Yeshiva University | 6,056 | $35,912 | 63% | 1,615 |
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How Much Do Private Colleges in New York Cost?
The average tuition cost for private universities in New York is $42,631, according to 2020-2021 NCES data. That's about $10,000 more than the national average for private college tuition.
Meanwhile, at $8,416, average in-state tuition for public New York colleges is about $1,000 less than the U.S. average.
Attending a prestigious private college in New York is likely to be more expensive than in many other states. For many students, however, the price is worth it. Private colleges often offer more financial aid assistance and have impressive employment outcomes.
| Institution Type | Avg. Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Private 4-Year | $42,631 |
| Public 4-Year (In-State) | $8,416 |
| Public 4-Year (Out-of-State) | $20,113 |
Fastest-Growing Industries in New York
The New York State Department of Labor has projected huge job growth for six industries between 2020 and 2030. Most of this growth lies in the entertainment, hospitality, and tourism industries.
Employment is projected to grow by 159% in the entertainment industry, 132% at museums and historical sites, and 111% in the amusement and gambling industry.
| Job | Projected Growth 2020-2030 |
|---|---|
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | 159% |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | 132% |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | 111% |
| Personal and Laundry Services | 101% |
| Accommodation, Including Hotels and Motels | 99% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 94% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Private Colleges in New York
How many private colleges are in New York?
There are over 50 four-year nonprofit private colleges in New York. If you include small religious colleges and niche medical schools, the number is closer to 100.
What Ivy League schools are in New York?
New York is home to two Ivy League colleges: Cornell University and Columbia University. All eight Ivy League schools are located in the Northeast. Students can travel just hours to visit each Ivy.
What is the hardest college to get into in New York?
Columbia University boasts the lowest acceptance rate in New York at just 4%. In the fall of 2022, the university received over 60,000 undergraduate applications. Currently, the undergrad population at Columbia is just under 9,000 students.
Is it expensive to go to college in New York?
While average New York tuition rates are comparable to those in the rest of the U.S., the cost of living in New York — particularly in New York City — can make the state an expensive place to attend college.
According to Payscale, the cost of living in New York City is 128% higher than the national average. However, many smaller college towns in New York have a lower cost of living than New York City.
