The city that never sleeps is also home to sleepless students. Explore some of the finest colleges in NYC to see if the city is a fit for you.
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Contributing Writer
N. Susan Emeagwali is a writer with a long career in publishing. She began her career as a reporter for a local newspaper in Connecticut, later assuming managing editor positions at association publications in the Washington, D.C. metro area, and at ...
Updated on December 19, 2023
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Danika Miller is a senior writer at BestColleges and Accredited Schools Online. Her writing has also appeared in Grad School Hub, Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus. Her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple ...
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By
Contributing Writer
N. Susan Emeagwali is a writer with a long career in publishing. She began her career as a reporter for a local newspaper in Connecticut, later assuming managing editor positions at association publications in the Washington, D.C. metro area, and at ...
Edited by
Writer & Editor
Danika Miller is a senior writer at BestColleges and Accredited Schools Online. Her writing has also appeared in Grad School Hub, Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus. Her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple ...
Updated on December 19, 2023
Learn more about our editorial process
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Turn Your Dreams Into Reality
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People from around the world move to NYC to pursue their dreams. The Big Apple also attracts students who want a world-class education in a city teeming with culture, entertainment, and opportunities.
New York City colleges include Ivy League schools and top research institutions dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders. From NYU to a CUNY college, NYC likely has something for anyone.
We've featured some of the most popular and prestigious NYC colleges for your consideration. You can also review the fastest-growing jobs and cost of living information for the country's largest city.
5 Popular New York City Colleges
These five NYC colleges are some of the most popular in the city and the world. The famous city and these prestigious schools draw global attention.
The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and is updated for 2022.
1. Columbia University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $66,139
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Total Student Enrollment: 34,782
Renowned for rigorous academic programs, Columbia is one of the most popular colleges in the country. High-performing students from around the world attend Columbia and study at the Ivy League college's Morningside Heights campus.
The private institution operates three undergraduate schools, 13 graduate and professional schools, and more than 100 research centers and institutes. Columbia's Irving Medical Center is a prestigious hub for clinical research and patient care.
Once enrolled at Columbia, you can participate in 500 student organizations and root for over 30 Division I NCAA teams. Columbia is very selective, with just 4% of first-year applicants receiving acceptance.
2. New York University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $58,168
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Total Student Enrollment: 59,144
Founded in 1831, NYU is the nation's largest private college and ranks as one of the best schools in NYC. NYU students study on campuses in Greenwich Village and Brooklyn.
More than 400 programs offer rigorous academics and instruction from accomplished faculty. A rich campus life awaits you with 300 student organizations and arts, entertainment, and cultural events scheduled throughout the year.
NYU attracts high-achieving students who want to attend a prominent and respected college with a global appeal. Admission is selective, with NYU accepting only 12% of applicants.
3. Barnard College
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $62,525
- Acceptance Rate: 9%
- Total Student Enrollment: 3,442
Affiliated with Columbia University, Barnard is a private women's liberal arts college in Morningside Heights. Barnard is one of the Seven Sisters colleges, established to educate women at a time when they were excluded from higher education.
Barnard's students explore various disciplines during the required foundational curriculum and declare one of 50 majors. Once enrolled, you also have access to Columbia's degree programs, amenities, and resources.
A buoyant life awaits you outside the classroom with 80 student clubs and even more at Columbia. Barnard appeals to students interested in a top-tier education delivered in women-centered classes. Only 9% of applicants get accepted to Barnard.
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4. Fordham University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $58,467
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Total Student Enrollment: 16,556
Fordham is a comprehensive research institution recognized as the only Jesuit college in New York. Undergraduates study primarily on campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, receiving an education that encourages excellence in all areas of life.
All undergraduates complete a foundational curriculum before they declare one of the school's 60 majors. Fordham encourages studying abroad as part of an emphasis on whole-person development.
Students engage in extracurricular activities and build community with more than 170 student organizations on the Rose Hill campus. You have a good chance of getting admitted to Fordham with a 54% acceptance rate.
5. CUNY City College of New York
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $7,340 (in-state), $15,290 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Total Student Enrollment: 14,489
CCNY specializes in rigorous and affordable programs and is the only public school in our list of the most popular colleges in NYC. It is the founding school of the CUNY system, which now has 25 colleges in New York City's five boroughs.
CCNY's enrollees study on a 37-acre main campus located in Harlem. In addition to degrees in the arts and sciences, CCNY administers strong engineering and architecture programs.
If you're looking for a world-class education that's accessible, the odds are in your favor: CCNY accepts 67% of applicants.
List of All NYC Colleges
Here is a complete list of all four-year nonprofit universities in New York City. Use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.
All data comes from NCES. Schools that enroll fewer than 500 undergrads were not included in this table.
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Avg. Annual Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance University | 1,595 | $22,184 | 100% | 285 |
| Barnard College | 3,442 | $26,009 | 9% | 12,009 |
| College of Mount Saint Vincent | 2,877 | $17,084 | 89% | 3,465 |
| College of Staten Island CUNY | 10,248 | $7,217 | 100% | N/A |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 34,782 | $22,058 | 4% | 60,879 |
| CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College | 19,854 | $4,991 | 50% | 25,693 |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | 14,195 | $5,972 | 55% | 28,890 |
| CUNY City College | 14,489 | $5,181 | 67% | 33,648 |
| CUNY Hunter College | 22,970 | $4,848 | 48% | 33,944 |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 13,921 | $5,001 | 51% | 18,807 |
| CUNY Lehman College | 13,015 | $4,974 | 55% | 22,455 |
| CUNY Medgar Evers College | 3,640 | $8,250 | 88% | 11,553 |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | 13,087 | $6,406 | 82% | 21,335 |
| CUNY Queens College | 17,001 | $6,434 | 69% | 22,324 |
| CUNY York College | 6,446 | $6,670 | 59% | 16,112 |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 8,125 | $20,900 | 53% | 4,669 |
| Fordham University | 16,556 | $43,943 | 54% | 47,203 |
| Manhattan College | 3,575 | $29,535 | 82% | 9,930 |
| Manhattan School of Music | 1,115 | $51,278 | 55% | 1,027 |
| Marymount Manhattan College | 1,608 | $39,442 | 72% | 7,636 |
| New York University | 59,144 | $29,499 | 12% | 100,662 |
| Pace University | 13,609 | $33,363 | 83% | 26,613 |
| Pratt Institute | 5,494 | $47,326 | 50% | 10,129 |
| Sarah Lawrence College | 1,696 | $42,781 | 50% | 5,186 |
| St. Francis College | 2,661 | $18,602 | 84% | 4,272 |
| St. John's University | 19,663 | $26,052 | 85% | 24,607 |
| St. Joseph's University, New York | 4,348 | $18,001 | 77% | 4,306 |
| SUNY Brockport | 6,424 | $16,261 | 68% | 7,683 |
| 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 |
| Wagner College | 1,949 | $29,710 | 69% | 2,645 |
| Yeshiva University | 6,056 | $35,912 | 63% | 1,615 |
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The 10 Fastest-Growing Careers in NYC
NYC's 10 fastest-growing careers, according to the New York Department of Labor, are in the entertainment and service industries.
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers take the top spot with a 135.8% projected growth rate for 2020-2030. Other top careers include cooks, museum technicians and conservators, and agents and business managers.
All of these jobs provide the staff needed to run NYC's lively entertainment scene. Students can get one of these jobs to help pay for their education while attending one of the 33 colleges in NYC.
| Job | Projected Growth | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | 135.8% | $38,295 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | 132.8% | $41,174 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | 125.4% | $69,216 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | 124.6% | $95,467 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | 112.3% | $33,018 |
| Curators | 108.8% | $99,269 |
| Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors | 104.1% | $60,949 |
| Skincare Specialists | 101.8% | $45,655 |
| Dancers | 99.0% | N/A |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | 98.4% | $38,277 |
Cost of Living in NYC
According to Redfin, NYC (Manhattan) will cost you 127% more in living expenses than the national average. For starters, NYC's notoriously high rent will cost 384% more than the national average, while groceries will cost 29% more.
Students can help reduce their cost of living by getting roommates to split the rent and taking advantage of student discounts. Colleges also typically provide subsidized services such as healthcare and transportation, which could help you reduce the cost of pursuing a degree in NYC.
| Cost of Living Category | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Home Price | $1,200,000 |
| Apartment Rent | $4,630 |
| Energy Bill | $184.87 |
| Gasoline | $4.06 |
| Phone Bill | $196.72 |
| Doctor Visit | $126.96 |
| Dentist Visit | $140.13 |
| Haircut | $73.39 |
| Movie Ticket | $18.68 |
| Coffee | $6.78 |
| Bread Loaf | $4.11 |
| 1 Dozen Eggs | $3.50 |
| Pizza | $13.27 |
| Beer | $12.47 |
| Wine | $11.82 |
| Veterinarian Services | $12.47 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in NYC
How many colleges are in NYC?
There are 33 nonprofit four-year universities in New York City. This diverse list includes large research institutions, mid-sized colleges, and schools for specialized skills such as fashion design and the performing arts.
What is the No. 1 college in NYC?
Columbia University is considered the top college in NYC. The Ivy League institution enrolls undergraduate and graduate students in a comprehensive catalog of programs. Students receive instruction from distinguished faculty and have access to the vast resources this research institution has at its disposal.
What Ivy League colleges are in NYC?
Columbia is NYC's only Ivy League college. The league consists of eight prestigious institutions located in the Northeast, each with a storied history, an impressive list of alumni, and highly selective admissions. Cornell, located in Ithaca, is the only other Ivy League college in New York State.
What is the hardest CUNY to get into?
Hunter College is the hardest CUNY school to get into, with a 48% acceptance rate, according to NCES data. Of the 33,944 applicants to Hunter, 22,970 students received acceptance letters.
What is the cheapest college in NYC?
Getting into Hunter College ensures you pay the cheapest net cost of all the schools in the city. The school's net cost of $4,848 is the average annual cost of attendance minus gift aid such as grants and scholarships. Hunter is much cheaper than other schools in the CUNY system and a drop in the bucket compared to schools such as Columbia and Fordham.
