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List of Private Universities & Colleges in New York

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New York is the fourth largest state in America by population yet is the 27th ranked state by land mass. The state of New York is home to over 500 universities and colleges and is known by many as the Empire State. Private schools in NY are amazingly diverse and rich in history providing students a level of academic excellence rarely found elsewhere. Private colleges and private universities are higher education institutions that do not accept state funds. As a result, they rely upon corporate donations, internal operations, grants, tuition, and alumni donations to operate their schools.

Top Private Colleges in New York State

Top ranked private colleges in New York include household names such as University of Rochester, Syracuse University, St. John’s University, Rochester Institute of Technology, New York University, Fordham University, Hofstra University, Columbia University, and Cornell University. Nationally ranked by MatchCollege consistently for years, these schools set the bar for academic excellence that is steeped in tradition and innovation.

Popular Degree Programs at Private Colleges in New York

The vast number of private universities in New York translates to a myriad number of educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. You can choose to study at a school that provides a broad curriculum or a specialty school depending on what makes the most sense for you. Specialty schools provide students with industry-specific knowledge to help achieve mastery and competence within a given field. Examples of specialty programs include: fashion design, photojournalism, gerontology, bacteriology, aeronautical engineering, computer science, mental health nurse, and dance. Schools offering a broad curriculum will offer students the ability to earn a degree in tracks such as business, criminal justice, art, public policy, and history to name a few.

Finding a Private College in New York

The span of choices may seem dizzying, but MatchCollege continues to help millions of students every year gather information from the best colleges so you can make a great decision. Take the time to read our eBooks on college admissions and getting into your top college choice to help lay a foundation for your academic process. Detail out your strengths, preferences, goals, and educational interests in advance to help make the most of your time. Stay focused, organized, and keep your eyes forward to maximize your talents and skills for a better future.

List of Large 4-Year Private Universities in New York

There are 45 large private universities in our database for New York. Follow the links below to get more details about each school.

Large Universities with Research Facilities or Faculty

The universities listed below offer many diverse academic programs, have a large student body, and usually have research facilities or faculty involved with research. These schools very often have graduate and professional programs as well.

Adelphi University in Garden City, NY

Visit the website for Adelphi University at adelphi.edu

Program Details

  • 5,000 to 9,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $36,000 per year

Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY

Visit the website for Clarkson University at clarkson.edu

Program Details

  • 1,000 to 4,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $47,000 per year

Columbia University in the City of New York (Columbia University) in New York, NY

Visit the website for Columbia University in the City of New York at columbia.edu

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Program Details

  • More Than 20,000 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $56,000 per year

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY

Visit the website for Cornell University at cornell.edu

Program Details

  • More Than 20,000 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $52,000 per year

Fordham University in Bronx, NY

Visit the website for Fordham University at fordham.edu

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Program Details

  • 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $50,000 per year

Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY

Visit the website for Hofstra University at hofstra.edu

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Program Details

  • 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $42,000 per year

New York University in New York, NY

Visit the website for New York University at nyu.edu

Program Details

  • More Than 20,000 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $50,000 per year

Pace University - New York in New York, NY

Visit the website for Pace University - New York at pace.edu

Program Details

  • 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $43,000 per year

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI, Rensselaer) in Troy, NY

Visit the website for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at rpi.edu

Program Details

  • 5,000 to 9,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $52,000 per year

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY

Visit the website for Rochester Institute of Technology at rit.edu

Program Details

  • 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $39,000 per year

Saint John Fisher College (Fisher) in Rochester, NY

Visit the website for Saint John Fisher College at sjfc.edu

Program Details

  • 1,000 to 4,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $32,000 per year

St. John's University - New York in Queens, NY

Visit the website for St. John's University - New York at stjohns.edu

Program Details

  • More Than 20,000 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $41,000 per year

Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY

Visit the website for Syracuse University at syracuse.edu

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Program Details

  • More Than 20,000 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $45,000 per year

The New School (New School University) in New York, NY

Visit the website for The New School at newschool.edu

Virtual Campus Tour of

Program Details

  • 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $46,000 per year

University of Rochester in Rochester, NY

Visit the website for University of Rochester at rochester.edu

Virtual Campus Tour of

Program Details

  • 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $51,000 per year

Yeshiva University in New York, NY

Visit the website for Yeshiva University at yu.edu

Program Details

  • 5,000 to 9,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $42,000 per year

Large Primarily Academic Universities

Each university listed below offers a diverse set of degrees and programs, unlike the research universities listed above, these schools contain little to no research activity on campus and are primarily academic.

Small to Medium Sized 4-Year Universities

The 4-year schools listed below have a small to medium sized student body and may offer a wide range of associate and bachelor's degrees. Get more information about each school by clicking the links below.

4-Year Colleges with a Special Focus on an Area of Study

The schools below are grouped by their special area of focus. To learn about admissions, tuition & fees, programs offered, and more click on the school names below.

Theological Seminaries, Bible Colleges, and Other Faith-Related Institutions

Schools of Business and Management

Health Professions Schools

Schools of Art, Music, and Design

Special-Focus Institutions

Notes: Tuition & fee amounts are for both New York in-state residents and out of state students, unless noted otherwise. The tuition information displayed is an estimate, which we calculated based on historical data and should be solely used for informational purposes only. Please contact the respective school for information about the current school year.

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2015: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.