2023 Best Undergraduate Education Schools in New York

2022-2023 Education Colleges of Distinction

Published: September 1, 2022

By: Colleges of Distinction Staff

Jump to: Adelphi University | College of Mount Saint Vincent | Daemen University | Dominican University New York | Hunter College | Iona University | Keuka College | Long Island University | Manhattan College | Manhattanville College | Molloy University | Nazareth University | Niagara University | SUNY Geneseo | SUNY New Paltz | SUNY Oneonta | SUNY Oswego | St. John Fisher University | St. John’s University | St. Thomas Aquinas College | The College of Saint Rose | Utica University | Frequently Asked Questions

Simply put, our nation’s teachers are our future; they shape the leaders, politicians, scientists, authors, and artists of tomorrow. Surely we can all recount a few special teachers that made an impact on our lives, and we have their hard work and dedication to thank for that. That is why Colleges of Distinction is proud to share a cohort of schools that excel in their commitment to nurturing and supporting future educators. Freshly selected for the 2022-2023 year, the Education Colleges of Distinction are sure to equip students with the necessary skills and experience needed to excel. Prospective students can choose from our hand-picked list of colleges and universities that offer the following distinct qualities:

Our New York top colleges for education offer students an exciting place to learn and thrive, as proven by the following:

Stability and Excellence: These programs have reputations for quality and success, and students know that their degrees will be respected and desired by future employers. Institutions who have earned the education badge have the highest accreditations and have been awarding teaching degrees for at least ten years.

Multidisciplinary Exposure: One of the most important decisions a future teacher will make is what field of education they will go into. Whether it’s childhood, elementary, secondary, or special education, prospective students know there are options to explore at these schools. These well-rounded programs also allow students to earn a specialization to further define and hone their skill set.

Practical Experience: These colleges and universities go beyond the required number of hours of student teaching. They push their students to get practical experience as early and often as possible so they may be prepared and confident when they step into their first classroom.

Non-education Specializations: These programs encourage students to think and learn outside the box. Students can minor or specialize in a different discipline to round out their education and enhance their teaching.

Dedicated Advising and Counseling: The path to a teaching degree can be complex and overwhelming at times. Schools that have earned the Education badge have demonstrated a commitment to supporting students with excellent counselors and advisors.

High-Impact Practices: While all Colleges of Distinction are recognized for their high-impact practices, those with the Education badge ensure that their programs incorporate relevant and focused high-impact practices, including first-year seminars, service-learning among area schools, and collaborative projects.

Industry Connections: Students are able to forge connections for their career through internships, networking events, and alumni programs.


Adelphi University logo

Adelphi University

Garden City, NY ‧ Private ‧ 4-year

Adelphi University provides students with a personalized education that fully prepares them for successful, fulfilling careers. Adelphi students graduate with the knowledge and ability to compete and excel in their chosen fields and address the needs of their communities. Internships, many of them paid, are central to an Adelphi education and help students refine their career objectives, make connections, and gain work experience.

Adelphi has students from 41 states and 58 countries, providing an environment that encourages cultural and personal growth. New York City is a short train ride away, so students further benefit from the city’s rich intellectual and social opportunities.

HIGH-IMPACT LEARNING
Internship opportunities are available for every type of student, no matter what they decide to study. Through the signature Jaggar Community Fellows Program, students are paired with nonprofits across Long Island and New York City for paid internships throughout 10 weeks during the summer.

Acceptance rate 75% • Net price $29,821 • SAT Range 1060-1250 • Students submitting SAT scores 81%
Total Undergrad Population 7,584 • Setting Suburb • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 72% • Retention rate 82% • Student-to-faculty ratio 12:1

Click here for available majors


College of Mount Saint Vincent

Riverdale, NY ‧ Catholic ‧ 4-year

The College of Mount Saint Vincent seeks to engage the development of the whole person. Every field of study emphasizes analytical skills; critical thinking; clear communication; and moral and religious thought—essentials for success in every profession. The Mount offers over 70 nationally recognized degree programs and course offerings, including majors and minors in the sciences and mathematics, humanities and the arts, social sciences, accounting, business, communication, education, and nursing, among others.

The College has more than 1,800 undergraduate and graduate students who come from 28 states and 9 countries. Faculty have excellent academic credentials and share a passion for teaching and engaging their students. And because they teach small classes, they are able to give their students personalized attention and hands-on learning experiences.

With over 40 on-campus clubs, 15 intercollegiate athletic teams, cultural and social events, and countless service and leadership opportunities, students are always exploring their passions outside the classroom. They happily take advantage of their home in New York City, an invaluable resource home to prestigious institutions and world-class businesses. The Mount hosts an incredible campus atmosphere, which includes rolling hills that overlook the Hudson River, historic sites, classic architecture, and modern buildings.

Acceptance rate 93%     •     Net price $20,778     •     SAT Range 910-1090     •     Students submitting SAT scores 81%
Total Undergrad Population 2,663      •      Setting City: Large      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 63%     •      Retention rate 76%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 14:1

Click here for available majors


Daemen College logo

Daemen University

Amherst, NY ‧ Private ‧ 4-year

Daemen is a student-centered University with dedicated, highly qualified faculty who value personalized teaching and intellectual excellence. The university prepares students for successful careers by offering rigorous academic programs that develop the liberal arts-based skills necessary for lifelong learning and intellectual growth.

Daemen is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational comprehensive university. It was founded in 1947 as Rosary Hill College by the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity. In 1976, the University became independent and non-sectarian.

LEADERSHIP
Daemen University’s LEADS Center serves as a clearinghouse for students who aspire to realize and develop their leadership skills. The LEADS program affords Daemen students the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to bring purpose, meaning, and integrity into their lives and the lives of others. It emphasizes lifelong learning through interdisciplinary programs that provide and encourage the development of the self, ultimately fostering inclusive, collaborative relationships. LEADS sponsors events and offers various sessions throughout the academic year.

Acceptance rate 62%     •     Net price $19,314
Total Undergrad Population 2,536     •     Setting Suburb     •     Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 58%     •      Retention rate 79%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 11:1

Click here for available majors


dominican university new york

Dominican University New York

Orangeburg, NY ‧ Catholic ‧ 4-year

Since 1952, Dominican University New York has provided students with an environment that cultivates unique bonds and life-long relationships. It is a unique environment where the building of personal connections shares center stage with academics. There are many reasons why students from across the country and the world choose Dominican University New York. The small, personal classes translate into a highly individualized educational experience for each student. The University’s convenient location in the scenic Hudson Valley area, just 17 miles from New York City, feels like a home away from home.

YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES
There are many opportunities to become involved in the Dominican University New York community both on campus and off. Dominican University New York students participate in Alternate Spring Break in Mississippi to help rebuild damaged communities. They also engage in twice-yearly service trips to the Dominican Republic in which they live with rural families, teach school, and assist in building infrastructure. “Founders Week” and “Fire in the Sky” in the fall, as well as “Earth Week” in the spring, are traditions that bring the whole College community together. Faculty and staff vs. student softball games, Iron Chef Dominican, poetry slams, dances, and socials are a few other examples of campus activities found in this vibrant living and learning community.

Acceptance rate 75%     •     Net price $20,951
Total Undergrad Population 1,724      •      Setting Suburb •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 48%     •     Retention rate 73%     •      Student-to-faculty ratio 13:1

Click here for available majors


Hunter College - City University of New York wordmark with logo

Hunter College

New York, NY ‧ Public ‧ 4-year

Located in the heart of New York City, Hunter draws on its energy and resources to provide students with diverse and enriching educational and career-building opportunities.

Intellectually exciting and rigorous, grounded in solid academic tradition but fully geared to the 21st century, Hunter’s programs prepare students for graduate and professional school, for a host of professions, and for the rich, productive life of the educated citizen.

Acceptance rate 40%     •     Net price $4,014     •     SAT Range 1170-1340     •     Students submitting SAT scores 95%
Total Undergrad Population 24,052      •      Setting City: Large      •      Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 56%     •     Retention rate 84%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 15:1

Click here for available majors


Iona University New York Logo

Iona University

New Rochelle, NY ‧ Catholic ‧ 4-year

In the tradition of the Christian Brothers and American Catholic higher education, Iona University is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence. Iona’s students, faculty, staff, and administrators embody the values of justice, peace, and service. Together, the Iona University community shares a mission to make a positive impact on the lives of others and to move the world.

Iona, located just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, provides students the opportunity to learn in small classes and labs, work with accomplished teachers and scholars, and gain hands-on experiences that transform their views of the world and pave the way to exciting careers.

The Iona in Mission program offers students once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to immerse themselves in different cultures and ways of life. Iona in Mission is a way for students to exercise their passions to make profound differences in the world while testing their knowledge and broadening their experiences. These experiences are truly transformative for participants and often enrich and deepen their Iona education.

Acceptance rate 86%     •     Net price $29,103     •     SAT Range 1000-1190     •     Students submitting SAT scores 48%
Total Undergrad Population 3,590      •      Setting Suburb      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 60%     •     Retention rate 77%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 15:1

Click here for available majors


Keuka College logo and wordmark

Keuka College

Keuka Park, NY ‧ Private ‧ 4-year

Many students agree that attending Keuka College is like joining a new family. The growing campus community supports personal experiences in all facets of student life. Keuka College professors, accomplished contributors to their respective fields of scholarship, consider teaching their calling and guide every student in the work of educating her or himself.

Outside of the classroom, Keuka College teams play in the NCAA Division III level with an emphasis on student-athlete involvement. Students from more than twenty states and nine countries attend Keuka College, adding both diversity and experience to the campus. To be part of the Keuka College community is to develop a more intimate and appreciative relationship to the world.

TEAMWORKS!
Keuka College has a ropes course right on campus for those who love the outdoors, adventure, and physical challenges. Since 1989, Keuka College’s TeamWorks! adventure staff has been developing customized programs for school and college groups, nonprofits, church groups, and corporations to build teamwork and success strategies. Participants have the chance to explore the high and low elements of the Birkett Mills Challenge Course and a near-endless supply of ground, stationary, and portable activities. Those who join the TeamWorks! Adventure Club can participate in such off-campus adventures as whitewater rafting, rock climbing, cave diving, and more.

Acceptance rate 91%      •      Net price $26,126
Total Undergrad Population 1,535      •      Setting Town      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 53%     •     Retention rate 65%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 12:1

Click here for available majors


Long Island University

Brooklyn, NY ‧ Private ‧ 4-year

Founded in 1926, Long Island University educates and empowers men and women from all walks of life through a rigorous liberal arts education. As one of the largest private universities, LIU’s multiple campuses throughout New York and around the world offer more than 500 undergraduate degrees, all of which come with a liberal arts foundation that prepares students for lifelong success. This wide-reaching scope of LIU—across both physical locations as well as academic disciplines—firmly proves the success of its mission: Access and Excellence. 

The University’s original downtown location offers students a place to cultivate continual growth and broaden their intercultural and education experience. LIU Brooklyn offers many opportunities for students to learn both in the classroom and out in the world. Students at LIU Brooklyn strive to become their best selves thanks to the plethora of activities available at their fingertips, whether they be academic or extracurricular. This lively college environment is designed for growth, success, and true fulfillment.

The growth of the University, as well as the growing population outside of the city, prompted the purchase of a new campus on Marjorie Merriweather Post’s estate. Located on the Gold Coast of Long Island, LIU Post is a small campus with big resources. Here, students enjoy the intimacy of a small school while learning and thriving with the resources of a metropolitan university. LIU Post further enriches the University’s assets with its world-renowned Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.

Acceptance rate 85%     •     Net price $25,031     •     SAT Range 1080-1290     •     Students submitting SAT scores 84%
Total Undergrad Population 15,066      •      Setting Suburb      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 41%     •     Retention rate 77%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 10:1

Click here for available majors


Manhattan College campus

Manhattan College

Riverdale, NY ‧ Catholic ‧ 4-year

With over 160 years of history, Manhattan College is at the forefront of outstanding, comprehensive colleges. Through the years, one constant has guided the College: the Lasallian Catholic heritage upon which it was built. Christian Brothers and lay teachers alike have educated generations of leaders with five programs in the arts, business, education, engineering, the sciences, and over 40 major fields of study for virtually any chosen profession. A low student-faculty ratio allows students to receive individual attention and support, providing them with the knowledge they need to succeed in both the classroom and in the workforce.

There’s no other education quite like this, created in the spirit of the man who invented modern teaching, St. John Baptist de La Salle. The achievement, humanity, opportunity, and community of innovative Lasallian education has been the passionate mission of Manhattan College since 1853.

Acceptance rate 78%     •     Net price $32,044
Total Undergrad Population 3,965      •      Setting City: Large      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 70%     •     Retention rate 83%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 11:1

Click here for available majors


Manhattanville College logo

Manhattanville College

Purchase, NY ‧ Private ‧ 4-year

Manhattanville College is a small, private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social justice. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of bustling Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to robust entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its primarily residential and diverse student body. The College serves approximately 1,500 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states.

ACADEMIC VARIETY
In the interest of making the college experience as worthwhile as possible, Manhattanville College offers a variety of dual, student-designed, and interdisciplinary majors. What’s more, students may cross-register with SUNY Purchase so that they can make use of both schools’ resources.

Manhattanville’s standalone academic programs are just as exciting. For example, the Political Science department and the Sociology department work with the Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action to organize rallies and host an educational film and lecture series. This is an excellent way to make education tangible and dynamic.

Acceptance rate 90%     •      Net price $24,499
Total Undergrad Population 2,408      •      Setting Suburb     •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 64%      •     Retention rate 80%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 10:1

Click here for available majors


molloy university

Molloy University

Rockville Centre, NY ‧ Catholic ‧ 4-year

Molloy University, an independent Catholic institution in Rockville Centre, was founded in 1955. The University serves a student population of approximately 4,900 undergraduate and graduate students. Molloy students can earn degrees in a variety of outstanding academic programs, including nursing, business, education, social work, music therapy, computer studies, and many more.

OUTSTANDING PROGRAMS
Molloy students can earn degrees in a variety of outstanding academic programs, including the liberal arts, social and natural sciences, nursing, business, education, social work, speech therapy, music therapy, and many more.

New programs include a New Media major, the Molloy/CAP21 B.F.A. program in musical theatre, and a four-year degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Additionally, the Business Division features classes taught by CEOs, CFOs, and other senior leaders from the business world.

Molloy’s Nursing and Education programs are well-known even beyond the New York metro region. The University has also earned recognition for its treatment of those with autism, with the music therapy and speech therapy programs providing tremendous support in that area.

Acceptance rate 74%     •      Net price $27,454     •      SAT Range 1080-1250      •      Students submitting SAT scores 91%
Total Undergrad Population 5,115     •      Setting Suburb     •     Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 72%     •      Retention rate 88%      •      Student-to-faculty ratio 10:1

Click here for available majors


Nazareth University new logo

Nazareth University

Rochester, NY ‧ Private ‧ 4-year

Innovative, student centered, and committed to excellence, Nazareth University prepares students for lifelong success on its classic, welcoming suburban campus. Its location in the preeminent college town of Rochester, NY, means that students are situated perfectly in a community of academic, personal, and professional opportunities. 

Naz offers over 60 majors across disciplines, from the fine arts and humanities to the social, natural, and health sciences. All students are immersed in an experience-driven core curriculum that teaches them to put their studies into action, all while building community and forming relationships that will last a lifetime.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
There’s no better way to prepare for a job after college than to get hands-on experience during college. That’s why Nazareth University ensures that every student completes a minimum amount of experiential learning on campus or in the surrounding Rochester community and abroad. Guided by the principles of reflection, awareness, and integration, students of all majors are able to find a way to see their coursework play out in the real world. 

Experiential learning pathways at Nazareth can take many forms, whether they be through service-learning, internships, research, clinical experiences, or any of the ever-growing opportunities offered. Every student learns how to reflect on their experiences, grow a budding network, and explore their values and curiosities.

Acceptance rate 76%     •     Net price $31,521
Total Undergrad Population 2,791      •      Setting Suburb      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 71%     •     Retention rate 85%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 9:1

Click here for available majors


Niagara University logo

Niagara University

Niagara, NY ‧ Catholic ‧ 4-year

Founded in 1856, Niagara University is a comprehensive institution, blending the best of a liberal arts and professional education and grounded in a values-based, Catholic tradition. With more than 80 majors, nearly 60 minors, six pre-professional options, and 4+1 combined master’s programs, NU students are immersed in meaningful real-world learning opportunities from the moment they step foot on the university’s beautiful campus.

Niagara’s colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, and Hospitality and Tourism Management offer programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral level. All four of the university’s academic colleges have received the highest rankings from the top accreditation boards in their fields. In addition, the university offers an award-winning Academic Exploration program for students who are undecided about their major.

Niagara offers a wide variety of entertainment options on- and off-campus, including trips to professional sporting events, local landmarks, concerts, malls, restaurants, and cultural festivals in the U.S. and nearby Ontario, Canada. And with 18 Division I athletics programs, there are numerous chances for NU students to put their “Purple Pride” on full display.

Acceptance rate 92%     •     Net price $19,172     •     SAT Range 1015-1200     •     Students submitting SAT scores 71%
Total Undergrad Population 3,544      •      Setting Suburb      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 77%     •     Retention rate 80%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 11:1

Click here for available majors


SUNY Geneseo

Geneseo, NY ‧ Public ‧ 4-year

SUNY Geneseo takes intellectual minds, transforms them to see their abilities, and then shows them how to be socially responsible citizens. Students enrolled at Geneseo are part of a collaborative environment, where academics meet civic engagement.

FIRST YEAR ADIRONDACK ADVENTURE
The First Year Adirondack Adventure is an awesome excursion available to incoming freshman. Participants travel to Lake Placid and stay at a youth hostel for five days. The trip is a great transition into college. Many times, students are anxious about leaving home and starting school. The Adirondack Adventure eases this transition through team-building activities and close interaction with faculty and peers. Interested students should act quickly, as spots are limited.

Acceptance rate 61%     •     Net price $18,684     •     SAT Range 1140-1310     •     Students submitting SAT scores 89%
Total Undergrad Population 4,911      •      Setting Town      •      Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 78%     •     Retention rate 85%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 17:1

Click here for available majors


SUNY New Paltz logo

SUNY New Paltz

New Paltz, NY ‧ Public ‧ 4-year

The State University of New York at New Paltz is an academically rigorous public university in the heart of New York State’s scenic Hudson Valley, just 90 minutes north of metropolitan New York City.

SUNY New Paltz offers more than 100 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs across five academic schools (Business; Education; Science & Engineering; Liberal Arts & Sciences; Fine & Performing Arts). With about 8,000 enrolled students, it is a mid-size school where professors know their students’ names.

It’s also a uniquely diverse community to which people from around the world can “come as they are” and collaborate in a friendly, tolerant, and supportive environment. At New Paltz, artists work with entrepreneurs to add smart design to business plans, engineers partner with future teachers to bring technology into the k-12 classroom, and the liberal arts provide a core set of adaptable skills that make NP alumni stand out in their pursuit of post-graduation success.

Acceptance rate 62%     •     Net price $16,079     •     SAT Range 1070-1260     •     Students submitting SAT scores 91%
Total Undergrad Population 7,489      •      Setting Suburb      •      Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 76%     •     Retention rate 87%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 15:1

Click here for available majors


SUNY Oneonta logo

SUNY Oneonta

Oneonta, NY ‧ Public ‧ 4-year

SUNY Oneonta is a mid-size, four-year, public college offering more than 60 majors and programs on a residential campus in Central New York. The college offers small classes, loads of campus activities, and a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities that help students gain the knowledge and skills they need to prepare for successful careers and further education. 

The college is known as a caring campus where people are genuinely friendly and work hard to make everyone feel at home. Three core values support SUNY Oneonta’s mission: inclusivity, service and sustainability.

SUSTAINABILITY
Students are involved in a variety of activities to protect the natural environment. Several clubs have a sustainability focus, and students work as volunteers at the Red Closet Thrift Shop on campus, which raises money for scholarships awarded to students interested in sustainability.. Each year around Earth Day, the college’s Green Dragon Week features activities such as film screenings, speakers, clothing swaps, a local food dinner, bicycle repair stations, and composting demonstrations.

Acceptance rate 63%     •     Net price $16,635     •     SAT Range 910-1121     •     Students submitting SAT scores 91%
Total Undergrad Population 6,718      •      Setting Town      •      Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 76%     •     Retention rate 83%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 16:1

Click here for available majors


SUNY Oswego logo

SUNY Oswego

Oswego, NY ‧ Public ‧ 4-year

SUNY Oswego offers engaging student life activities and programming alongside an exceptionally diverse curriculum with academic programs in four distinct schools: Business; Education; Liberal Arts & Sciences; and Communication, Media & the Arts. The possibilities are endless with an extensive choice of academic options and majors, an outstanding faculty, internships, co-ops, service-learning, and study abroad opportunities that foster learning and encourage the exchange of ideas. Oswego is a campus of choice for students (around 8,000 students, some 7,000 of them full-time undergraduates) who become successful graduates achieving dreams, pursuing adventure, and embracing opportunity.

SUNY Oswego, one of 13 comprehensive colleges in the 64-campus State University of New York system, was founded in 1861. Oswego is committed to enhancing its diversity and actively engages in recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. 

Acceptance rate 69%     •     Net price $16,398     •     SAT Range 1020-1190     •      Students submitting SAT scores 99%
Total Undergrad Population 7,636      •      Setting Town      •      Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 65%     •     Retention rate 81%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 16:1

Click here for available majors


St. John Fisher University new Logo

St. John Fisher University

Rochester, NY ‧ Private ‧ 4-year

St. John Fisher University has experienced significant enrollment and program growth, igniting fast-moving change to an already beautiful campus. It’s a place where tradition and innovation continue to be joined hand-in-hand.

The University stays true to the educational philosophy of its founders, applying liberal learning, high academic standards, and personal attention to each student.

Experiential learning and service-learning are central to all of Fisher’s 37 academic majors offered at the undergraduate level as well as many of its graduate programs. Students have countless chances throughout their years at the University to pursue internships and other networking opportunities as well as unique study abroad experiences.

Fisher students find everything they need to shape their future: a lively, inspiring, and welcoming campus community; the foundation of a liberal arts education that touches every part of their life; and the guidance of faculty whose expertise sheds light on students’ chosen fields. At Fisher, they find goodness, discipline, and knowledge.

Acceptance rate 68%     •     Net price $29,722     •     SAT Range 1060-1240     •     Students submitting SAT scores 94%
Total Undergrad Population 3,610      •      Setting Suburb      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 72%     •     Retention rate 90%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 12:1

Click here for available majors


St. John’s University

Queens, NY ‧ Catholic ‧ 4-year

Those who become a part of St. John’s University discover a world of opportunity available at New York City’s largest Catholic university. For 150 years, St. John’s has prepared students to become real leaders in both their careers and communities. Today, St. John’s offers more than 100 academic programs, dynamic study abroad opportunities, and a focus on service, altogether supplying the knowledge and tools needed for success in a constantly changing world.

GLOBAL PASSPORT
Global Studies is a vital part of the educational experience at St. John’s. Through the Global Passport Program, for example, students can study abroad as early as their very first year at St. John’s, traveling to locations throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America at virtually any time throughout the calendar year. What’s more, St. John’s unique Discover the World program lets students earn 15 credits living, learning, and serving in three cities—all within a single semester.

Acceptance rate 75%     •     Net price $26,771     •     SAT Range 1080-1300     •     Students submitting SAT scores 75%
Total Undergrad Population 20,143      •      Setting City: Large      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 64%     •     Retention rate 83%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 16:1

Click here for available majors


St. Thomas Aquinas Wordmark with Torch Logo

St. Thomas Aquinas College

Sparkill, NY ‧ Private ‧ 4-year

From the day students first arrive, St. Thomas Aquinas College celebrates their strengths, talents, and individuality. The College encourages students to push past their limits and strive for great things, providing the opportunities for students to learn and grow in mind, body, and soul. With a choice of leading-edge academic programs, exciting field experiences, NCAA Division II athletics, and an array of student clubs, students can explore their creativity and meet friends. Anyone can be who they are in a place where everyone knows their name.

When students graduate, they possess the tools and skills they need to succeed in any career they choose. St. Thomas Aquinas College’s goal is to help students become the best version of themselves possible. The promise students that they will become “the BEST. YOU. EVER.”

Founded in 1952 by the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill as a teaching college, the school has grown to a 60-acre campus, providing a safe, welcoming place to study more than 100 majors, minors, and specializations in the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, and the School of Education. It’s just 15 miles north of New York City, giving students quick access to learning, cultural, internship, and career opportunities in one of the world’s most exciting cities.

Acceptance rate 87%     •     Net price $21,139     •     SAT Range 900-1150     •     Students submitting SAT scores 79%
Total Undergrad Population 1,779      •      Setting Suburb      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 61%     •     Retention rate 75%     •      Student-to-faculty ratio 17:1

Click here for available majors


College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York

The College of Saint Rose

Albany, NY ‧ Private ‧ 4-year

The College of Saint Rose places an emphasis on embracing the individual, digging deep into discussion, promoting self-advocacy and advocacy for others, and then using education to serve what the community refers to as “the dear neighbor.”

Founded in 1920, Saint Rose provides comprehensive programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional continuing educational levels. Students’ majors of choice are all enriched by a well-rounded, perspective-building array of courses in the liberal arts and sciences. With additional opportunities for internships, study abroad, and research, every Saint Rose student is aptly prepared to be leaders for a civil society.

Acceptance rate 82%     •      Net price $21,818
Total Undergrad Population 3,863      •      Setting City: Small      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 59%     •     Retention rate 73%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 14:1

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Utica University new logo 75th anniversary

Utica University

Utica, NY ‧ Private ‧ 4-year

Utica University is an innovative, private university with the resources to personalize education for each and every student. 

Students leave Utica University with the tools needed to change the world in their workplaces and in their communities. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, a comprehensive student support network, and cutting-edge facilities, a Utica University education prepares students for rewarding careers, responsible citizenship, enlightened leadership, and fulfilling lives.

A TEAM THAT CARES
Starting in their freshman year, Utica University students are introduced to their CARE Team, which brings together an academic advisor, a student success coach, a career coach, and a financial aid counselor to provide a single point-of-contact for every area of concern. The CARE Teams ensure students are planning for their collegiate and career futures from the beginning of their time at Utica. By taking an active role in each student’s life, CARE Teams offer the personalized resources and relationships needed to excel at Utica and in the workforce.

Acceptance rate 86%     •     Net price $22,782
Total Undergrad Population 4,613      •      Setting City: Small      •      Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 54%     •     Retention rate 78%     •     Student-to-faculty ratio 12:1

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What it’s like to attend education schools in New York and other FAQ:

What are average tuition costs in New York?

The average undergraduate tuition & fees for colleges in New York is $7,546 for in-state students at public institutions, $14,472 for out-of-state students at public institutions, and $22,507 for students at private institutions.

Most popular education degree programs in New York

The largest share of education degrees award in New York in 2020 were specialized by the following:
Elementary Education and Teaching
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
Elementary Special Education Programs
Social Studies Teacher Education
Music Teacher Education

Cheapest education degree program in New York

Hunter College has an average net price of $4,014, making it the least expensive education degree program in New York that made our list.

Education degree program with lowest student debt in New York

Hunter College has a median total debt after graduation of $12,000. This is the typical debt for a student who completed their undergraduate degree.

Easiest education degree program to get into in New York

The College of Mount Saint Vincent has an acceptance rate of 93%, making it the least exclusive education program in New York that made our list.

See The Top Education Colleges of Distinction of 2022-2023

Best Undergraduate Education Schools by State

California | Florida | Texas | Pennsylvania | Illinois | Georgia | Ohio

Best New York Colleges by Award

2023 Best Engineering Schools in New York
2023 Best Nursing Schools in New York
2023 Best Business Schools in New York