Best Colleges in New York + Full List of Schools

Once known as King's College, this Ivy League university changed its name after the American Revolution. Today, Columbia University is a world-renowned research and academic institution. You can earn a degree at the historic Morningside Heights campus while taking advantage of everything New York City has to offer. Columbia also boasts 25 libraries and over 100 research centers and institutes.

The annual tuition for undergraduates is $62,570. However, keep in mind that Columbia promises tuition-free enrollment to admitted students with an annual family income of less than $150,000. Almost half of students receive grants from Columbia, with an average award of nearly $64,000. 

The picturesque Finger Lakes region is home to one of New York's two Ivy League institutions. Cornell University has called Ithaca home since 1865. The school also boasts a Medical College and a tech campus in New York City. Around 25,000 students enroll in Cornell's 80 undergraduate majors and 100 graduate programs.

The private research university also partners with the SUNY system to offer agriculture, life sciences, human ecology, and labor relations programs. In these programs, New York residents get a significant discount off the typical $65,000 tuition rate. Cornell also provides need-based financial aid. 

One of the top-ranked colleges in New York City, New York University oversees 20 schools and colleges. You can also attend the school's Abu Dhabi, Shanghai, or online campus. NYU enrolls over 65,000 students, including learners from more than 130 countries around the world. 

Curious about the ROI of an NYU degree? The private university reports that 96% of recent grads are working or in grad school, and they report an average salary of nearly $65,000. While costs vary depending on the program, the yearly tuition for undergraduates is typically around $60,000. 

Long Island is home to Stony Brook University — one of New York's flagship public universities. The school welcomes over 25,000 students to its scenic campus. 

With more than 200 majors, 100 master's programs, and 50 doctoral programs, you can find the right fit at Stony Brook. Biology, psychology, business, computer science, and economics all rank as popular picks at Stony Brook. 

The university's affordable tuition rates help it stand out. New Yorkers pay around $7,000 in tuition and fees annually, and over 62% of full-time, first-time students receive financial aid. More than half also receive scholarships and grants, with an average award of $11,000. 

Earn your degree at a liberal arts college in the scenic Hudson Valley. Vassar College began as a women's college in 1861 before becoming a coed institution in 1969. The private college enrolls about 2,500 students and awards an average financial aid package of $54,000.

Classes at Vassar take a multidisciplinary approach. You can choose from 50 majors or design your own pathway with the school's interdisciplinary independent program. This top-ranked liberal arts college charges nearly $67,000 per year in tuition, but two-thirds of students receive financial aid. Vassar meets 100% of the financial need of accepted students.

Syracuse University lets you modify many of its 200 majors based on your interests. For example, you can design your own artificial intelligence major or investigate the environment from a social justice perspective. You also have the option to earn your degree online from Syracuse. 

The private university enrolls nearly 22,000 students at its hilltop campus and through learning centers in New York City; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles. Syracuse also runs study abroad programs in roughly 60 countries.

While the tuition rate is around $61,000 per year, nearly 85% of students receive financial aid — largely in the form of grants and scholarships. 

Founded in 1850, the University of Rochester enrolls over 12,000 students annually. At Rochester, you can choose from more than 200 academic programs. 

And over 75% of undergrads conduct research as part of their degree, adding in-demand skills and experience to help set themselves apart on the job market. 

The university charges a tuition rate of $63,150. If you're interested in attending this school in upstate New York, contact the financial aid office for information about funding packages.

Nearly 92% of first-year students return for their second year at Binghamton University — a remarkable retention rate for a public university that highlights the positive student experience. Plus, if you're a New York resident, you'll pay only $7,000 per year on tuition and fees.

At Binghamton, you can take interdisciplinary classes, participate in clubs, and connect with 18,000 other students. Choose from more than 130 majors or 80 graduate programs. Or enroll in an accelerated program to earn a bachelor's and master's in five years. 

Binghamton's 4+1 accelerated programs in public affairs, arts and sciences, engineering, and management can help students save time and money. 

Get the benefits of a small, women's liberal arts college while accessing everything Columbia University has to offer. Barnard College welcomes a student body of roughly 3,000 to New York City, where engaged learners choose from over 50 majors. Plus, a majority of Barnard professors are women.

Barnard's commitment to equity and access extends to its financial aid policies. The college charges around $62,500 in tuition and fees but meets 100% of students' demonstrated financial need through grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Incoming students work with the financial aid office to determine their unmet need. 

This flagship public institution sits between Niagara Falls and Lake Erie. The University at Buffalo boasts nearly 200 buildings, and over 30,000 students enroll in more than 450 degree-granting programs. And if you want a break from Buffalo, you can choose from over 700 study abroad programs.

One of the benefits of a University at Buffalo education is the relatively affordable price tag. New Yorkers can expect to spend around $7,000 per year on tuition, while out-of-state students pay about $25,000.