15 Best Colleges in NYC

June 26, 2023

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Best Colleges in NYC: New York, commonly referred to as the Empire State, is famous for its capital city. The “City that Never Sleeps” may be home to numerous Fortune 500 corporations, prestigious performing arts venues, and the stock market, but New York is more than just “the Big Apple.” Adirondack Mountains and Niagara Falls outdoor excursions are available in Upstate New York.

New York is an intriguing location to reside in while pursuing a college degree because of these options and its diversified terrain. In New York, there are hundreds of colleges to select from, including several prestigious institutions. Numerous scholarship opportunities are available to New York citizens, some of which pay the entire cost of tuition.

Students who choose to study in New York have the chance to network, intern at famous companies, and explore a variety of cultures. Business management, financing, and the visual and performing arts are common degrees in New York.

Best Colleges in NYC

Table of Contents

Employment Outlook in New York

The future of employment in New York is promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that since October 2021, the unemployment rate has been continuously declining. The unemployment rate in New York is anticipated to be 4.6% in March 2022, which is 0.9% lower than in October 2021. Payscale data from May 2022 indicates that the typical yearly wage in New York is $82,000.

In New York, there are many occupations in great demand across numerous industries. Numerous occupational categories in the state are in high demand, including jobs in the public sector, the healthcare business, trades, and the service sector.

5 In-Demand Positions in New York

1. High School Teacher

Secondary school students are instructed by high school teachers in one or more subjects, such as science, English, or a foreign language. In addition to creating and delivering assessments, teachers also plan and design educational modules. Teachers differentiate instruction based on data to fit the requirements of each student.

May 2023 median annual salary: $61,820
2020–30 job outlook: 8% anticipated rise

2. Civil Engineer

Planned and built by civil engineers, both governmental and private projects. Additionally, they create and manage infrastructure while ensuring that projects adhere to legal standards. Civil engineers may focus on particular phases of the design and construction process, or they may oversee and manage projects. Presenting findings to diverse groups may be necessary for civil engineers.

$88,050 was the median annual wage in May 2023.
2020–30 job outlook: 8% anticipated rise

3. Licensed Nurse

Registered nurses evaluate patients and pay attention to their problems, frequently serving as a link between patients and their doctors. Nurses work to inform patients and the public about health issues and can offer patients advice. In particular fields like neonatal care, rehabilitation, or public health, nurses might specialize.

$77,600 was the median annual wage in May 2023.
2020–30 job outlook: 9% anticipated rise

4. Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts assist firms in tracking the services and goods that consumers are interested in by examining market conditions. Market research analysts analyze the data and gather information to support businesses in making critical decisions regarding their goods and services while increasing company earnings.

May 2023 median annual salary: $63,920
2020–30 job outlook: 22% expected growth

5. Human Resources Professionals

Human resources professionals assist with hiring and retaining employees and facilitate new hire and ongoing employee training. Specialists in human resources welcome new hires and go over benefits. Additionally, they aid in conflict resolution and, if necessary, represent employees before management.

Median Salary, May 2023: $62,290

Popular Career Paths in New York

Public Policy
Accounting
Business Administration
Criminal Justice
Liberal Arts
Political Science
Marketing
Healthcare Administration

Also Read: 8 Ways on How to Get an Accounting Job

best colleges in nyc

The Advantages of Attending College in New York City

All of these advantages are yours if you enroll in one of the many institutions in NYC.

1. You Won’t Get Bored

Many colleges are located in outlying areas. There aren’t many possibilities for off-campus enjoyment if you ever become bored with on-campus activities. You’ll be in one of the most dynamic, interesting cities in the world if you attend college in New York City.

You’ll have quick access to pubs, clubs, restaurants, plays, museums, and athletic events. You can visit the Guggenheim or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can watch a New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets game if you enjoy basketball. You might want to see the newest Broadway production.

2. Job and Internship Opportunities

The fact that so many businesses and industries are situated in New York City is a big benefit of attending college there. There are lots of chances for college students to earn internships or jobs that will help them get valuable experience and prepare them for the workforce after they graduate. There are few places that provide greater opportunity in those fields than New York, whether you’re interested in theater, fashion, journalism, or finance.

3. Diversity

You’ll most likely be surrounded by regular college-aged students who are from the state where the college is located if you attend a large state school in a college town.

You may interact with a ton of individuals from all over the world in NYC. New York City has a higher proportion of foreign-born residents than Chicago does. You may experience the foods and customs of several countries by exploring the numerous diverse ethnic districts of New York City. Graduating from college with a global perspective and knowledge of many cultures might help you in your professional life, especially in today’s global economy.

3. Accessibility

Students frequently express dissatisfaction with their sense of isolation at many institutions, particularly if they lack a car and find it difficult to leave campus.

You won’t have any trouble getting around New York without a car. You shouldn’t have any trouble moving around the city or reaching other east coast cities thanks to the subway, trains, cabs, and Uber. The fact that the subway is reasonably priced and effective is an added advantage.

4. The Meals

The best restaurants in the world are said to be located in New York City. There are inexpensive, delectable eateries, concession booths, and food trucks offering every kind of food imaginable. You will always have access to a wide variety of food options if you reside on campus and grow tired of the dining hall fare.

Cons of Attending College in New York City

While attending a college in New York City might be exciting and full of benefits, it also has some potential drawbacks.

1. Distractions

Since your main goal in college is to learn, you could find it annoying to try to study and attend classes in the “City That Never Sleeps.” You’ll need to exercise discipline to make sure that you’re taking care of your academic obligations because New York City will provide you with a wealth of social and leisure opportunities.

2. There is less school spirit and on-campus community

At colleges in college towns, the college is the center of attention. People proudly display their school colors, support their sports teams with enthusiasm, and appear to have a close connection to the institution.

The colleges are a very small portion of the city at colleges in New York City. Because they are out and about discovering the city and all it has to offer, students are likely to spend less time on campus. Going to school in such an urban setting may result in less of a sense of community.

Additionally, none of the institutions in NYC have successful football programs, and participation in athletics isn’t a significant aspect of college life. You won’t find it at a college in New York City if you want to cheer on your team in front of 100,000 screaming supporters.

3. Cost of Living in New York City

Even while you can get inexpensive food, low-priced event tickets, and inexpensive subway rides, practically everything you do off campus will cost you money. You might not be able to fully enjoy all that the city has to offer if your budget is tight.

Furthermore, it might be isolating and have a detrimental effect on your college experience if you don’t have money while your buddies frequent expensive NYC restaurants and purchase tickets to Broadway performances.

In addition, housing in NYC is very expensive. Finding a cheap place to live might be incredibly challenging if you don’t live on campus. You can be forced to reside off-campus or somewhere unfavorable. A one-bedroom apartment within 10 miles of New York City cost, on average, $2,059 a month as of 2022.

4. NYC Can be Too Busy

If you want to be in a setting with a laid-back attitude, New York City may seem a bit much because of how many people and activities there are there. Being surrounded by so many people who seem to be constantly rushing around can make you feel uneasy or claustrophobic, especially if you’re from a rural or suburban area.

Also Read: 12 Best Apps for Medical Students

15 Best Colleges in NYC

School	Acceptance Rate	Forbes Ranking	US News Ranking	Average SAT Score	Average ACT Score
Columbia University	6%	#5	#18 (National Universities)	1530	34
Barnard College	11%	#71	#18 (National Liberal Arts Colleges)	1490	33
New York University	13%	#60	#25 (National Universities)	1510	34
Cooper Union	15%	#155	#2 (Regional Colleges-North)	1460	33
CUNY—Lehman College	42%	#297	#81 (Regional Universities-North)	1040	N/A
CUNY—Hunter College	46%	#128	#21 (Regional Universities-North)	1240	N/A
CUNY—Baruch College	51%	#66	#14 (Regional Universities-North)	1310	N/A
CUNY—Brooklyn College	51%	#204	#63 (Regional Universities-North)	1140	N/A
Fordham University	58%	#154	#72 (National Universities)	1390	32
CUNY—City College	60%	#124	#151 (National Universities)	1070	N/A
CUNY—Queens College	61%	#172	#58 (Regional Universities-North)	1140	N/A
Yeshiva University	62%	#130	#67 (National Universities)	1330	28
The New School	66%	#299	#127 (National Universities)	1200	N/A
Manhattan College	75%	#229	#16 (Regional Universities-North)	1230	25
Pace University	88%	#280	#234 (National Universities)	1220	26

Best Colleges in NYC

Frequently Asked Questions

In New York, how many colleges are there?

There are over 300 colleges in New York when you count community colleges, trade schools, and all public and private universities. State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY), two significant university networks in the state that include institutions all over the place. New York is home to numerous four-year public and private institutions of higher learning, such as Syracuse University and New York University. Two Ivy League universities, Cornell University and Columbia University, are located in the state.

Which university in New York offers the best value?

The cheapest institutions in New York in terms of tuition are all a part of the CUNY or SUNY networks, with the CUNY colleges being a little less expensive. The expected cost of tuition at CUNY for in-state students is $6,930, while the estimated cost of tuition at SUNY is $7,070. You should take into account the cost of living in each place while choosing the least expensive institution because costs might differ significantly amongst New York's cities. While several areas, including Buffalo, are lower than the national average, New York City is significantly higher than it.

Is admission to NYU difficult?

Despite an uptick in admissions, NYU is still a very selective institution. In reality, NYU's admission rate in 2020 was the lowest in the institution's history at 15%, a mere fraction of all applications. The acceptance rate at NYU fell to 12.8% in 2021.

How do you Know if a College in New York City is Right for you?

Before deciding to enroll in a college in New York City, if you have never been there, you should make an effort to go. Without ever having been there, it can be difficult to judge whether you’d enjoy living there for four to six years. To get a sense of the city and what it might be like to attend school there, check out some of the various neighborhoods and the universities there that interest you.

Going to college there can be a nice choice for you if you enjoy New York when you visit. But keep in mind that just because you like New York City as a tourist doesn’t mean you’d like it as a home. If you go, try to picture yourself living there for years and going about your daily life to see if attending college there would be a wise choice for you.

Also, note the precise locations of the several colleges in New York City. Every area of New York City has a distinct personality and offers a little bit of a different environment.

Keep in mind that you are selecting a college, and the area should only be one consideration in your quest. Other aspects of an institution, such as the price, its academic standing, and the majors available, should also be taken into account.

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