Top 6 Best Colleges in New York State | 2017 Ranking | Good, Top, Cheapest Colleges in New York (Reviews and Comparison)

2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING COLLEGES IN NY

Journeying to the Big Apple to Attend One of the Best Colleges in New York

Choosing colleges is an exciting part of senior year. Choosing between the best colleges in New York is downright exhilarating. Of course, not everyone plans on zooming into the Big Apple. They may be more interested in a cozier student experience outside the city. Either way, selecting the top NY colleges and NY state colleges involves a lot of research.

Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Colleges in New York

To make the process smoother, we have put together a list of some of the top colleges in NY state. Reviewing the features that make each school unique, the programs they offer, and the cost of tuition will all play an important role in helping you decide where you’d like to call home for the next four years.

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AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Best Colleges in New York

List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that college)

• Barnard College
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• New York University
• Stony Brook University
• Vassar College

Top 6 Best Colleges in New York | Brief Comparison & Ranking

Table: Top 6 Best Colleges in New York | Above list is sorted alphabetically

What If I’m Looking for the Cheapest Colleges in New York?

You’ll notice that it is very expensive to attend some of the good colleges in New York. While some schools have need-blind admission policies, not every school will cover 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need.

If you are hesitant to put yourself in a significant amount of debt, you may be more interested in a list of the cheapest colleges in New York as well.

Source: Architectural Digest

Here’s the thing: Just because you are looking for the cheapest colleges in New York doesn’t mean you can’t get a great education.

These are a few alternatives to consider for those looking for the cheapest colleges in New York.

1. Consider studying elsewhere. If you are from out of state, this is definitely going to contribute to how expensive studying in New York is. Factor in the cost of living, and you will definitely be in the red.
2. Take a year off. If you absolutely insist on going to one of the best colleges in New York, consider taking a year off to save up money.
3. Attend community college: If you do not want to take a year off and you are eager to get to New York City, consider attending a community college and then transferring to a four-year college.

Community colleges are a great alternative for people who are looking for the cheapest colleges in New York. They are more affordable and you can still work toward your undergraduate degree and save up for your transfer without taking up too much time.

Remember that going to the best colleges in New York may not be worth it if it puts you in debt. Instead of lamenting the fact that you are stuck searching for the cheapest colleges in New York, keep in mind that most employers these days are interested in skills.

If you are a committed, resourceful student, you can make the most out of your experience at almost any accredited school.

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Detailed Review-Top Ranking Good Colleges in New York

Below, please find the detailed review of each of the New York colleges on our list of the best colleges in New York. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these top colleges in NY to score so well in our selection ranking.

Barnard College Review

Barnard College is one of the most famous liberal arts colleges for women in the country, so it’s no surprise that it’s landed on our list of excellent colleges in New York. Famous graduates of Barnard College include Martha Stewart, Joan Rivers, and Zora Neale Hurston.

Barnard College has a close affiliation to Columbia University.

Liberal Arts Focus

More and more professors, writers, and contemporary thinkers are lamenting the decline in critical thinking skills. Pursuing a liberal arts education helps students develop this skill to analyze what they are learning and the world around them.

Barnard College, one of the top colleges in NY, provides this kind of an education for its students.

As one of the best NY colleges, Barnard does not just want to teach at their students. They are focused on teaching their students how to learn. They are taught to transcend disciplinary boundaries in order to interact with their professors and think outside the box.

Modes of Thinking

Barnard’s unique curriculum is one of things that makes it standout among other colleges in NY state. Their Foundations curriculum provides the framework for the kind of learning students can expect from one of the best New York colleges. 

Central to this Foundations curriculum are the unique Modes of Thinking that emphasizes the importance of “thinking” as opposed to just “knowing.” Students are required to take at least one course in each of the following areas:

• Thinking Locally—New York City
• Thinking through Global Inquiry
• Thinking about Social Difference
• Thinking with Historical Perspective
• Thinking Quantitatively and Empirically
• Thinking Technologically and Digitally

Anyone look to attend one of the good colleges in New York will be drawn to Barnard College’s emphasis on critical thinking, social consciousness, and community engagement.

Tuition

Tuition for the 2016–2017 school year was $48,614.

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Columbia University Review

Columbia University is the oldest college in New York. In fact, it is one of nine colleges that were founded before the Declaration of Independence. As you can imagine, this has given Columbia University an opportunity to become one of the best colleges in New York state.

Diverse Areas of Study

Columbia University has had more than two centuries to become one of the best colleges in NY state and the country. In that time, it has managed to develop several programs and schools of study within its institution.

As one of the top NY state colleges, Columbia University boasts the following schools:

• Architecture, Planning & Preservation
• Arts
• Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
• Business
• College of Physicians and Surgeons
• Columbia College
• College of Dental Medicine
• Engineering
• General Studies
• International & Public Affairs
• Jewish Theological Seminary
• Journalism
• Law
• Nursing
• Professional Studies
• Public Health
• Social Work
• Teachers College
• Union Theological Seminary

Research, Internship & Study Abroad

In today’s interconnected world, part of getting a comprehensive education is familiarizing yourself with environments and cultures outside of your local context.

As one of the best colleges in New York state, Columbia University offers research, internship, and study abroad opportunities for its students.

These opportunities allows students to take what they have learned and apply it to real-life situations and contexts outside of the country.

It’s only expected that as one of the best colleges in New York, Columbia offers close to 200 study abroad opportunities through its Office of Global Programs. There are also summer programs, fellowships, and global field studies that students participate in as part of their classes or research.

Columbia also boasts Global Centers around the world to facilitate engagement and communication on the global stage.

There are also on campus opportunities for students at one of the top New York colleges to allow students to engage with the world without even hopping on a plane through their World Leaders Forum events.

Tuition

The cost of undergraduate tuition at Columbia University was $26,239 per semester in 2016–2017.

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Cornell University Review

Cornell University is one of the best colleges in NY, and it is proud to display the features that make it great. It is regularly placed on lists of the best colleges in the world and the best colleges in New York. 

A few of the university’s firsts include:

• The solution to the Poincaré conjecture
• Endowing the nation’s first professorships in American history, musicology, and American literature
• First four-year schools of hotel administration and industrial and labor relations
• Awarded the world’s first degree in journalism
• Awarded the world’s first degree in veterinary medicine
• Awarded the world’s first degree in electrical and industrial engineering

Diverse Options of Undergraduate Study

There are several good colleges in New York, and Cornell is certainly one of the best NY colleges. Cornell offers almost 80 undergraduate majors. This includes interdisciplinary programs that are becoming more and more popular among today’s students.

Options include:

• Africana Studies
• Agricultural Sciences
• Animal Science
• Archaeology
• Atmospheric Science
• Civil Engineering
• Comparative Literature
• Fiber Science and Apparel Design
• Global and Public Health Sciences
• Landscape Architecture
• Policy Analysis and Management
• Urban and Regional Studies

Commitment to Public Engagement

While we tend to think of the best colleges in New York and around the world as simply a way for students to get a job, they are also meant to be centers of learning that improve society. The activities completed at these institutions should improve humanity.

Cornell understands that good colleges in New York have to also be good to their communities and ultimately serve a purpose. That is why they emphasize public engagement in their school’s culture.

As they put it on their website, they are encouraging “knowledge with a public purpose.”

The school shares some impressive stats on how it is involved in the world at large and earns its spot as one of the top colleges in NY state.

•  7,500 students participate in public service efforts
• 63 percent of students participate in research
• 116 service learning courses are offered
• 35 percent of students gain international experience

Cornell Outdoor Recreation Center

Cornell is one of the most prestigious NY colleges, but it also strives to make sure students arrive on a campus that helps them feel like they are part of a community from day one to graduation.

One of the ways in which it does this is by offering a several recreational and athletic opportunities. A standout offering is Cornell Outdoor Education referred to as the COE for short.

As part of one of the best New York colleges, the COE offers physical education courses, a climbing center, outdoor gear for rent, and more.

Tuition

Tuition to attend Cornell University in 2017–2018 is $52,853 for its endowed colleges and $35,483 for its land-grant colleges.

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New York University Review

New York University is not only one of the best colleges in NY, it is also one of the largest private universities in the country. It went from a school of 158 to a community of more than 50,000 students spread out across its campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai.

Forward-Thinking Initiatives

The thing that makes the best New York colleges stand out from good colleges in New York is their ability to meet present-day demands while proactively planning for future needs and objectives.

As one of the best New York colleges, New York University does this by actively planning university-led initiatives that address social, economic, and political issues.

Some of the initiatives spearheaded by NYU, one of the best colleges in New York state, include:

• Affordability Steering Committee: Focused on making NYU more affordable and accessible for more students.
• Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Task Force: Focuses on making NYU a more inclusive environment.
• NYU Climate Survey: Initiative to gauge the level of inclusivity and diversity and the impact of attempted improvements.

Diverse Undergraduate Study Opportunities

As one of the best NY state colleges, New York University offers more than 230 areas of study, 2,700 courses, and three different degree-granted campuses.

Good colleges in New York offers many different majors across different subject areas. NYU offers majors in:

• Arts & Media
• Business
• Humanities & Social Sciences
• Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
• Education & Health Related Fields

Another thing that makes this university one of the top colleges in NY is the fact that it does not limit research opportunities to its graduate students. Aware that they are educating some of the best and brightest minds as one of the best colleges in New York, NYU offers its undergraduates the opportunity to participate in research projects.

Undergraduate students even have the opportunity to present their research at the annual Undergraduate Research Conference. Students can work with professors, conduct their own inquiries with the guidance of a mentor, and even be included in NYU’s annual research journal.

Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

The good colleges in New York offer a vibrant campus life for its students. As one of the best colleges in New York, NYU offers several opportunities to attend or participate in cultural events.

Students can enjoy music, theatre, and dance and take in great art at their galleries. As one of the top colleges in NY, the school’s box office sells tickets to both on- and off-campus events including movies and Broadway shows.

NYU also has its own closed-circuit TV network.

Tuition

Twelve to eighteen credits in 2016–2017 in the College of Arts and Sciences cost students $23,295 per term.

Stony Brook University Review

Stony Brook University is a public university that is one of the best colleges in New York. There are 25,734 students, more than 200 undergraduate programs, and 140 graduate programs.

Diverse Undergraduate Areas of Study

There are a number of undergraduate areas of study at Stony Brook University. Stony Brook, one of the top colleges in NY on our list of good colleges in New York, offers more than 200 programs including the following:

• Adapted Aquatics
• Applied Mathematics and Statistics
• Art History and Criticism
• Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical and Molecular Engineering
• Geospatial Science
• Engineering Science
• Entrepreneurship
• Russian Studies

Students who have a career path in mind and want to find one of the top colleges in NY that will help them pursue it will be happy to learn that Stony Brook University offers pre-professional guidance for students interested in pre-med, pre-law, and teaching.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Many students looking for good colleges in New York want to know what kinds of study abroad opportunities each school offers. The chance to move to another country, meet new people, and pick up a new language is an exciting prospect, and students do not want to miss out.

Students at Stony Brook University can pursue a study abroad opportunity while earning credits toward their degree from one of the top colleges in NY.

They can even choose between participating in an international exchange or entering a study abroad program under the supervision of a faculty member. The school’s Study Abroad office offers support and resources to help student make their global learning experiences happen.

They offer a number of pre-designed programs. Some of the programs highlighted on their website include:

• The arts in Florence
• Fossil Hunting in Kenya
• Journalism without Walls
• Scuba diving in the Coral Reefs
• Fieldwork in the Rainforests

Numerous Activities and Clubs

Students at Stony Brook will not lack opportunities to get involved at one of the best college in New York. Some of the school’s main events include Homecoming, Midnight Madness, the Roth Regatta, and the Strawberry Festival. There are also several theatre performances, sporting events, and more planned throughout the year.

Like many of the good colleges in New York, Stony Brook boasts a fantastic campus life which includes:

• More than 400 student clubs and organizations
• Student run newspapers both in print and online
• More than 30 fraternities and sororities
• Intramural and club sports

Tuition

The tuition for Stony Brook University in 2016–2017 per semester was $6,470.

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Vassar College Review

Vassar College is one of the private liberal arts colleges in New York known for its exclusivity and low student-faculty ratio.

Located in Poughkeepsie, New York, Vassar provides its students with a quiet, student experience on the east bank of the Hudson while also providing easy access to exciting New York City just 75 miles away.

Guaranteed Housing

Students at Vassar, one of the best colleges in New York, are guaranteed housing for all four years that they are at the school. In fact, 97 percent of students who attend Vassar live on campus.

Like all the NY colleges on our list of the best colleges in New York, Vassar has several student-run clubs. There are more than 100 of these kinds of organizations on campus. The school offers tours and information sessions year round so that students who are thinking of attending Vassar can take a look at the campus with their parents.

Vassar Farm

One of the features of Vassar College that makes it stand out from other schools on our list of the best colleges in New York is the Vassar Farm.

In the past, the farm served as a working farm providing milk, pork, and vegetables to the college’s dining hall. At present, it is used as a space for ecological preserve and study as well as providing space for several organizations. The park also provides open meadows, sports fields, and wooded trails for members of the community to enjoy.

Office of Career Development

One of the main reasons students and parents spend so much time looking for good colleges in New York and elsewhere is to figure out which schools will lead to good jobs.

As we know now, simply getting an undergraduate degree is no longer enough to secure post-graduate employment. The best colleges in New York need to provide skills-based training, experiential learning opportunities, and career development support.

Vassar’s Career Development Office assists students (and alumni) with starting their professional life after leaving Vassar.

As one of the top colleges in NY, Vassar helps students envision their career path and be proactive about what they want to do with their lives. One of the most proactive activities they engage students in is creating a Four-Year Plan.

Their four-year plan is organized in the following fashion:

• First Year: Transition, Exploration, and Discovery
• Sophomore Year: Academic Decisions, Hands-on Exploration, and Involvement
• Junior Year: Research, Experience, and Strategizing
• Senior Year: Planning, Graduating, and Transitioning

Tuition

Tuition for the 2017–2018 school year is $54,410. Vassar has a need-blind admission process and meets 100% percent of the demonstrated need of students.

Conclusion—Top 6 Best Colleges in New York

Student life, program options, career assistance and more are all factors to take into consideration when looking for good colleges in New York.

Source: Pexels

Budget restrictions may force students to change the parameters of their search and start looking for the cheapest colleges in New York instead. Either way, research, perspective, and a little patience will help students find the best colleges in New York.

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