Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find, well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Research Universities in New York 2024

By James Barham

Published: Mar 22, 2021
Updated: Oct 26, 2023

Interested in attending a STEM school in New York? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

10 Best Research Universities in New York 2024

Columbia University
Cornell University
New York University
City College of New York
The New School
University of Rochester
Syracuse University
Fordham University
Stony Brook University
University at Buffalo

Long Island University 93%
LIU Post 93%
D'Youville University 92%
Pace University 88%
St. John's University 85%
Daemen University 78%
Adelphi University 77%
Touro University 77%
Clarkson University 75%
Russell Sage College 73%

Binghamton University 19 to 1
Stony Brook University 19 to 1
University at Albany, SUNY 19 to 1
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 17 to 1
St. John's University 16 to 1
City College of New York 15 to 1
Syracuse University 15 to 1
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14 to 1
University at Buffalo 14 to 1
Pace University 14 to 1

Columbia University $63,530
Cornell University $61,015
University of Rochester $59,378
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute $58,526
Syracuse University $57,591
New York University $56,500
Fordham University $56,161
Clarkson University $54,370
Rochester Institute of Technology $52,756
The New School $52,494

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute $57,100
Rochester Institute of Technology $52,092
Columbia University $50,496
The New School $47,920
University of Rochester $46,779
Adelphi University $43,040
Syracuse University $41,616
New York University $35,982
Clarkson University $35,712
Yeshiva University $34,800

Daemen University
St. John Fisher University
D'Youville University
Touro University
LIU Post
Russell Sage College
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Clarkson University
St. John's University
Pace University

Columbia University 4%
Cornell University 9%
New York University 13%
University of Rochester 41%
Binghamton University 44%
Stony Brook University 48%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 53%
Fordham University 58%
Syracuse University 59%
Yeshiva University 63%

Columbia University 6 to 1
Yeshiva University 7 to 1
D'Youville University 7 to 1
New York University 8 to 1
The New School 9 to 1
Cornell University 9 to 1
CUNY Graduate Center 10 to 1
Long Island University 10 to 1
LIU Post 10 to 1
University of Rochester 10 to 1

CUNY Graduate Center $6,930
City College of New York $6,930
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry $7,070
University at Buffalo $7,070
Binghamton University $7,070
Stony Brook University $7,070
University at Albany, SUNY $7,070
Touro University $20,750
D'Youville University $30,108
Daemen University $31,250

CUNY Graduate Center $9,930
City College of New York $11,090
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry $11,310
University at Buffalo $11,310
Binghamton University $11,310
Stony Brook University $11,310
University at Albany, SUNY $11,310
Touro University $12,708
Russell Sage College $13,140
St. John Fisher University $18,054

Key Takeaways

The best research universities in New York are a mix of public and private institutions. Columbia University, New York University, and Cornell University are prestigious private research universities in New York. Stony Brook University and University at Buffalo, both part of the State University of New York system, and City College of New York are among the best public research universities, too.
Both public and private research universities play a wide range of crucial roles in society, from introducing new knowledge and skills to stimulating economic growth.
Prospective students must carefully consider their suitability for research universities—their alternative choices are liberal arts universities and online colleges.

Table of Contents

Colleges and Universities in New York

On average, tuition at New York’s higher education institutes comes in well-below the national average at about $7,900. Students have nearly 80 public school options to choose from, ranging in fees from $1,000 at the United States Merchant Marine Academy up to $10,000 at the University at Buffalo, the largest public university. However, some of the state’s private schools, such as New York University (NYU), charge tuition fees at a much higher cost.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Although tuition fees at NYU average $52,000, students who attend this school have access to some of the best programs in fields like literature, business, medicine, communications, and law. The school also boasts famous alumni like Whoopi Goldberg and Jonas Salk. New York also offers close to 40 religiously affiliated schools. Students can expect to pay a wide range of tuition costs at these schools, but have the option to major in fields like social work, law, religious studies, business, and nursing.

They say New York is a place where dreams come true. Here, fashion, culture, food, business, art, and many languages comfortably coexist. While The Empire State’s metropolitan landmarks, like the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, are noteworthy, many forget New York also offers access to the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean, and countless cozy cabins tucked away in the verdant Catskills Mountains. Additionally, New York is home to over 200 colleges and universities, making it easy for students to dream big while earning their degrees.

Explore some of the top programs New York higher education institutes have to offer, and make your educational and personal dreams come true.

What are New York’s Colleges & Universities?

New York’s Best Overall

Exploring New York’s Research Universities

The core elements of the best research universities in New York are teaching and learning, public service and community outreach, and research and discovery. While the teaching and learning elements are given in a city university, the research and discovery elements are also of crucial importance!

But research and discovery, which includes scientific and scholarly research, applied research, and creative activities, are also the most misunderstood elements of research universities! Public research universities are experiencing a decline in research funding with emphasis on resources being focused on the teaching and learning elements.

Research and discovery, however, matter in modern society—and, thus, public and private research universities matter, too! Here, we will take a brief look at the funding sources of research universities and the benefits that come with their research-related initiatives.

Common Funding Sources of Research Universities

More than a few of the schools with the highest research funding from the National Institutes of Health (HIH) are in the State of New York. Cornell University, Columbia University, and New York University are among the leaders in research funding for medical sciences.

Of course, theoretical and applied research in diverse disciplines also receive funding from public and private sources. The federal government is the largest funding source for research and development in public and private research universities in New York State.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Defense (DoD), and Department of Energy (DOE) are among the primary funding agencies.

Institutional support is the second-most largest funding source for research and development programs in research universities in the state of New York. Public and private research universities source these funds from tuition and other fees, royalties from inventions and patents, and endowments, among other revenue sources.

Other primary sources of support for research and development programs in research universities include:

Non-profit organizations
Industry including corporations (e.g., Carnegie Corporation)
State and local governments (e.g., New York State Department of Health, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and Empire State Development)

Foreign government funding and designated gifts are also funding sources for research universities across New York state.

In terms of comparative costs, medical research and STEM research are the most expensive because of the imperative need for specialized facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and materials. Social sciences research is generally less expensive but researchers are also requesting larger grants due to the increasing complexity of issues under study. Arts and humanities research typically requires less funding, and the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts are among the fund sources.

Benefits that Research Universities Bring to Society

Of course, teaching and learning are the core focus of research universities—as they should be considering that these are institutions of higher education. But research universities also bring numerous benefits to students, faculty members, and the university community in particular and society in general!

Serve the national interest. Research universities are the birthplace of discoveries and innovations that fuel the United States’ economic development and, thus, promote its national interests. The biotech industry, for one thing, is a product of research universities while countless innovations and discoveries came from university-based research.

Many research universities in New York are responsible for the greatest advances in science—Columbia University, City College of New York, and Cornell University. Columbia University is known for its world-class, life-changing research in diverse areas, too, from neurology to astronomy.
Contribute to the growth of the innovation economy. Research universities are not just among the largest employers in their communities, but these institutions are also among the largest contributors to the innovation economy! In their main roles they serve as hubs of innovations and entrepreneurship, protectors of intellectual property, and engines of innovation competitions. Indeed, their emphasis on research, discovery, and development make research universities a hotbed for economic activities.

How do we determine New York's best research universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 29 research universities in New York. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

Best Research Universities in New York 2023

Find the Best Research Universities in New York for Your Area of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).
Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.
Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.
The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Research Universities in New York 2024

10 Best Research Universities in New York 2024

Key Takeaways

Colleges and Universities in New York

What are New York’s Colleges & Universities?

Exploring New York’s Research Universities

Common Funding Sources of Research Universities

Benefits that Research Universities Bring to Society

Best Research Universities in New York 2023

Career Outlook for degree at Columbia University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at New York University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Cornell University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at University of Rochester

Most Influential Alumni

University of Rochester’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Syracuse University

Most Influential Alumni

Syracuse University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Stony Brook University

Most Influential Alumni

Stony Brook University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at City College of New York

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Yeshiva University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Fordham University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at University at Buffalo

Most Influential Alumni

University at Buffalo’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at The New School

Most Influential Alumni

The New School’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Binghamton University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at University at Albany, SUNY

Most Influential Alumni

University at Albany, SUNY’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Hofstra University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at St. John's University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Pace University

Most Influential Alumni

Pace University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at CUNY Graduate Center

Most Influential Alumni

CUNY Graduate Center’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Rochester Institute of Technology

Most Influential Alumni

Rochester Institute of Technology’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Long Island University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Adelphi University

Most Influential Alumni

Adelphi University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Clarkson University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at St. John Fisher University

Career Outlook for degree at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Most Influential Alumni

State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at LIU Post

Most Influential Alumni

LIU Post’s Online Degrees