State Hub

Colleges in New York

CampusPin tracks 290 colleges in New York — 222 universities and 68 community colleges. Compare tuition, acceptance, size, and setting to build a shortlist that fits.

Colleges tracked

290

Universities

222

Community colleges

68

Avg. in-state tuition

$22k

About college search in New York

How New York's higher-education landscape shapes a search

New York operates the largest public university system in the United States: the State University of New York (SUNY) with 64 campuses, plus the City University of New York (CUNY) with 25 campuses concentrated in the five boroughs of New York City. Together SUNY and CUNY cover almost every public college search a student could run — research universities (Buffalo, Stony Brook, Binghamton, Albany), regional comprehensive universities, technology institutes, community colleges, and CUNY senior and community colleges. The private sector is equally deep: Columbia, NYU, Cornell, Syracuse, Rochester, RIT, Fordham, and dozens of mid-sized liberal-arts colleges.

Geographic context shapes a New York college search more than in most states. New York City and Long Island make up one regional market; the Hudson Valley and Capital Region (Albany / Troy) another; Western New York (Buffalo / Rochester) a third; and the Southern Tier (Ithaca / Binghamton) a fourth. The Excelsior Scholarship can make SUNY or CUNY tuition-free for eligible in-state students from qualifying income bands — verify current eligibility rules with the institution.

SUNY: 64 campuses statewide

SUNY is the largest comprehensive public university system in the U.S., covering research universities (Buffalo, Stony Brook, Binghamton, Albany), comprehensive colleges, technology colleges, and community colleges.

CUNY in New York City

The City University of New York runs 25 campuses across the five boroughs — senior colleges (Hunter, Baruch, Brooklyn, Queens, City College, John Jay, etc.) and community colleges.

Excelsior Scholarship affordability

The Excelsior Scholarship can cover SUNY or CUNY tuition for eligible in-state students from qualifying income bands. Eligibility rules change year to year — verify with the institution.

Deep private and Ivy League sector

Columbia (NYC), Cornell (Ithaca), NYU (NYC), University of Rochester, RIT, Syracuse, Fordham, plus liberal-arts colleges like Hamilton, Vassar, and Skidmore.

Public university system

State University of New York (SUNY) + City University of New York (CUNY)

New York runs two parallel public systems: SUNY (64 campuses statewide) and CUNY (25 campuses in New York City). Tuition, transfer, and admissions policies are coordinated within each system.

Community college network

SUNY and CUNY community colleges

New York’s community colleges operate under SUNY (statewide) and CUNY (NYC). Both networks formalize transfer paths to four-year senior colleges within the same system.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

New York posts a substantial in-state vs. out-of-state tuition difference at SUNY and CUNY. The Excelsior Scholarship can effectively zero out tuition for eligible in-state students from qualifying income bands. Verify residency and Excelsior eligibility directly with the institution.

Top metros for college search

Where New York's higher-education density concentrates

  • New York City

    NYC has more colleges and universities than any other U.S. metro — Columbia, NYU, Fordham, the CUNY senior colleges, and dozens of specialized institutions.

  • Buffalo

    Buffalo anchors SUNY Buffalo (the largest SUNY campus), Canisius, Buffalo State, and several smaller private colleges.

  • Rochester

    Rochester hosts the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Nazareth, and Monroe Community College.

  • Albany / Capital Region

    The Albany area hosts SUNY Albany, RPI (Troy), Skidmore (Saratoga), Union College (Schenectady), and Hudson Valley Community College.

  • Ithaca

    Ithaca is a small-city college market built around Cornell University (Ivy League) and Ithaca College.

  • Long Island

    Long Island hosts SUNY Stony Brook, Hofstra, Adelphi, LIU, and the Nassau and Suffolk community colleges.

Northeast region overview

What students weigh when searching colleges in New York

Across New York (NY), CampusPin currently indexes 290 institutions: 81 public and 209 private, split between 222 universities and 68 community colleges. Students often need to weigh dense geography, cost variation, and the difference between urban access and residential campus feel.

Compare commute realities, housing expectations, and total cost, not just sticker price.
Separate highly selective options from practical-fit schools so shortlist decisions stay grounded.
Use public-system and transfer routes when you want flexibility without abandoning strong outcomes.

Browse by major

New York colleges by program

Jump straight to New York colleges and universities that offer a specific major. Each page compares tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment for that program across New York.

Every college we track

Colleges and universities in New York

Showing 60 of 290 — use search or filters to see the rest.

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How to use the New York hub

Start with CampusPin results filtered to New York so your first pass stays geographically focused.
Use school profiles to compare tuition, admissions, program format, and campus fit before building a shortlist.
If you are looking for lower-cost or transfer-first options, compare community colleges and four-year destinations separately.
Use blog guides and help-center content when you need stronger decision frameworks, not just more schools.

Next actions for New York

Explore all colleges in New YorkView community colleges in New YorkView online programs in New YorkRead planning guides before you compare

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask about colleges in New York

What is the difference between SUNY and CUNY?
SUNY (State University of New York) is the state-level public university system with 64 campuses across all of New York State. CUNY (City University of New York) is the public university system operated by New York City, with 25 campuses concentrated in the five boroughs. The two systems have separate governance, tuition rates, and admissions.
Which is the public flagship university in New York?
New York is unusual in that SUNY operates four "university centers" — Buffalo, Stony Brook, Binghamton, and Albany — rather than one dominant flagship. Buffalo is the largest by enrollment; Binghamton and Stony Brook are typically the most selective.
How many community colleges are in New York?
New York operates roughly 30 community colleges under SUNY across the state, plus 7 community colleges under CUNY in New York City. Most have formalized transfer agreements to senior colleges in the same system.
How does the Excelsior Scholarship work?
The Excelsior Scholarship covers SUNY or CUNY undergraduate tuition for eligible New York State residents from qualifying household income bands. Recipients must take a minimum course load, maintain GPA requirements, and commit to living and working in New York State after graduation for a period equal to the time the scholarship was received. Verify current eligibility with the institution.
How many Ivy League universities are in New York State?
Two: Columbia University in New York City and Cornell University in Ithaca. Both are private institutions.
How many HBCUs are in New York?
There are no federally designated HBCUs in New York State. Several CUNY institutions (Medgar Evers, City College of Technology) and SUNY campuses have substantial Black student populations and dedicated cultural programs.

Related blog clusters

Guides that pair well with a New York search

Cost and Financial Aid

College affordability, net price, aid interpretation, borrowing decisions, and budgeting guidance for students and families using CampusPin to compare higher-ed options with more discipline.

Community College

Community-college strategy, affordability, transfer readiness, and credential pathway content for students exploring two-year options through CampusPin.

College Search Strategy

Filter-first search strategy, shortlist building, and planning content for students and parents using CampusPin to discover best-fit colleges and universities.

Help Center

Workflow guides for students searching in New York

Getting Started With CampusPin

A fast orientation to the CampusPin workflow, from your first search through profile review, pins, and next-step planning.

How to Use Filters to Narrow Your College List

A practical help article on how to use CampusPin filters without over-filtering or locking yourself into the wrong criteria too early.

How to Read a CampusPin School Profile

A guide to the major sections inside a CampusPin institution profile and how to interpret them effectively. Each page is designed to connect search intent to clearer next steps, internal links, and more defensible CampusPin decisions.