Top 5 Colleges in New York 2023

New York offers a variety of educational opportunities, including public, private and community colleges. The state's colleges offer degrees in various fields, from business to law to engineering and more.

The top colleges in New York offer students the chance to gain an education in their chosen field while experiencing the city's culture and lifestyle. These universities are ranked for their academics, diversity, campus, athletics, party scene, professors and more.

1. Columbia University

Located in the vibrant city of New York, Columbia University is one of the leading research institutions in the world. With a total of 20 schools, including thirteen graduate and professional schools, a world-renowned medical center, four affiliated colleges and seminaries and twenty-six libraries, it offers an extensive array of academic programs.

Students can get involved in projects, research, arts and a variety of other activities. It also offers a wide range of housing options, from halls to apartments.

Columbia’s main campus is situated in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. It includes the neo-classical Butler library and nearly two dozen undergraduate dormitories.

2. Cornell University

Located in the quaint college town of Ithaca, Cornell University is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. It sits along Cayuga Lake, in New York's Finger Lakes region.

The city is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with hiking trails and waterfalls within easy reach of campus. It also has four state parks nearby.

Cornell is a decentralized university, with each of its colleges and schools exercising considerable autonomy.Each university defines its very own academic programs, operates its very own admissions and advising programs, and confers its personal levels.

As one of the world's most elite and prestigious universities, Cornell is known for its excellent research and education. It is home to several national research centers and facilities, and has a renowned library system.

3. Pace University

Pace University is a private, coed, undergraduate college. It has campuses in New York City and Westchester County, NY.

Students can choose to pursue degrees in business, health care, computer science, education, the arts and sciences.

The campus is located in Downtown New York, close to Wall Street and the Financial District. It is an excellent choice for those looking to explore the city’s attractions and culture.

At Pace, you’ll find small classes, 360-degree support and real-world experiences that inspire you to dream your best life – and plan for it. Our six schools and colleges offer more than 100 future-forward majors, plus minors and combined degree programs.

4. Hunter College

Located in the heart of Manhattan, Hunter College is the largest senior college in the City University of New York (CUNY) and one of the oldest public colleges in the country. Since 1870, students have come to Hunter from every walk of life and from everywhere in the world.

At Hunter, you can earn a bachelor's degree in a variety of fields, including education, nursing, nutrition and social work. The college also offers master's degrees in many of these fields, as well as a variety of other graduate and accelerated programs.

The College's undergraduate programs focus on preparing students for the challenges of the modern workforce, combining practical classroom skills with foundational pedagogical theory and field placements in New York City K-12 public schools. The school's graduate programs focus on preparing professionals to serve the needs of a complex, global community.

5. Yeshiva University

Yeshiva University is located in New York City, and it has more than 20 colleges and schools. It also has a research institution, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

The University offers a wide variety of programs that are tailored to the Jewish faith, including undergraduate and graduate programs in education. It also has a law school and a museum.

Founded in 1886, Yeshiva University is the first higher education institution to offer liberal arts study under Jewish auspices. It is now a multifaceted university that integrates the knowledge of Western civilization with the rich treasures of Jewish culture.

The student to faculty ratio at Yeshiva University is 7 to 1. This is above the national average of 15 to 1 and indicates that students at the school will have ample opportunities for one-on-one interaction with their professors.