College Education In New York: New York has one of the most diverse higher education networks in the nation; it features 80 public and 230 private colleges and universities in addition to a number of vocational schools. New York’s statewide public university system is the State University of New York (SUNY), which hosts top ranked schools across the state. The state’s land-grant university is Cornell University, though primarily a private institution it has public sectors too.
New York Colleges In the Rankings: U.S. News and World Report rankings: National Rankings – Columbia University (#8), Cornell University (#14), New York University (#33), University of Rochester (#35), Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute (#41), Yeshiva University (#50), Syracuse University (#53); Liberal Arts Rankings – Vassar College (#11), United States Military Academy (#14), Colgate University (#18), Hamilton College (#20), Barnard College (#27), Bard College (#37), Union College (#42).
A Closer Look at New York Colleges: Two of the nation’s five Federal Service Academies are located in New York: the United States Military Academy at West Point; and the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. Furthermore, the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan is the only school in the world offering a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing.
Did You Know? Go east young freshman: Statistics show that among freshmen that leave their home states to attend college, more come to New York than any other state, including California.