Best Small Colleges in New York 2023

BEST IN NEW YORK SMALL COLLEGES

Small colleges in New York are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.

10 Best Small Colleges in New York 2022

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  1. Vassar College
  2. Barnard College
  3. Yeshiva University
  4. Bard College
  5. Union College, New York
  6. Sarah Lawrence College
  7. Colgate University
  8. Cooper Union
  9. Hamilton College
  10. Hobart and William Smith Colleges
  1. Hartwick College 96%
  2. Iona University 93%
  3. Niagara University 92%
  4. Siena College 83%
  5. Manhattanville College 83%
  6. Alfred State College 82%
  7. Wagner College 82%
  8. Canisius University 81%
  9. Houghton University 79%
  10. St. Bonaventure University 78%
  1. Alfred State College 17 to 1
  2. Iona University 15 to 1
  3. Wagner College 15 to 1
  4. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14 to 1
  5. Clarkson University 13 to 1
  6. Siena College 13 to 1
  7. United States Merchant Marine Academy 13 to 1
  8. Le Moyne College 13 to 1
  9. St. Bonaventure University 12 to 1
  10. State University of New York at Purchase 12 to 1
  1. Vassar College $62,870
  2. Colgate University $61,966
  3. Union College, New York $61,659
  4. Skidmore College $60,302
  5. Hobart and William Smith Colleges $60,240
  6. St. Lawrence University $60,220
  7. Hamilton College $59,970
  8. Barnard College $59,687
  9. Sarah Lawrence College $59,470
  10. Bard College $57,968
  1. Vassar College $61,940
  2. Colgate University $61,594
  3. Cooper Union $38,038
  4. Bard College $37,549
  5. Clarkson University $35,712
  6. Yeshiva University $34,800
  7. Sarah Lawrence College $32,284
  8. Siena College $28,000
  9. Iona University $22,752
  10. Wagner College $22,590
  1. Canisius University
  2. St. John Fisher University
  3. Iona University
  4. Alfred State College
  5. Houghton University
  6. Siena College
  7. Hartwick College
  8. Le Moyne College
  9. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  10. St. Bonaventure University
  1. Barnard College 11%
  2. Hamilton College 14%
  3. Cooper Union 15%
  4. Colgate University 17%
  5. Vassar College 20%
  6. United States Merchant Marine Academy 25%
  7. Skidmore College 31%
  8. Union College, New York 47%
  9. St. Lawrence University 57%
  10. Sarah Lawrence College 58%
  1. Yeshiva University 7 to 1
  2. Cooper Union 8 to 1
  3. Vassar College 8 to 1
  4. Skidmore College 8 to 1
  5. Hobart and William Smith Colleges 9 to 1
  6. Hamilton College 9 to 1
  7. Colgate University 9 to 1
  8. Union College, New York 9 to 1
  9. Bard College 9 to 1
  10. Barnard College 9 to 1
  1. United States Merchant Marine Academy $780
  2. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry $7,070
  3. State University of New York at Purchase $7,070
  4. Alfred State College $7,070
  5. Houghton University $16,446
  6. Canisius University $30,910
  7. Alfred University $32,664
  8. Niagara University $35,980
  9. St. John Fisher University $36,352
  10. Le Moyne College $36,610
  1. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry $11,310
  2. State University of New York at Purchase $11,310
  3. Niagara University $13,950
  4. Houghton University $14,125
  5. St. Bonaventure University $14,382
  6. Hobart and William Smith Colleges $14,748
  7. Canisius University $15,120
  8. Le Moyne College $17,220
  9. Manhattanville College $17,550
  10. St. John Fisher University $18,054

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

New York's Best Small Colleges and Universities Badge
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The following list of the best small colleges and universities in New York is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 73 small colleges in New York. The list below of the 30 best small colleges in New York. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.

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Best Small Colleges in New York 2022

  1. #2

    Barnard College

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1434/32

  2. #3

    Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/33

  3. #4

    Colgate University

    Hamilton , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1385/31

  4. #7

    Sarah Lawrence College

    Bronxville , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/29

  5. #10

    Cooper Union

    New York , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $47K

    Acceptance

    15%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

  6. Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/28

  7. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1190/27

    What is State University of New York at Purchase known for?

    State University of New York at Purchase’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  8. Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    57%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1270/30

  9. #19

    Manhattanville College

    Purchase , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    2K

  10. #21

    Le Moyne College

    Syracuse , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/24

    What is Le Moyne College known for?

    Le Moyne College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  11. Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Acceptance

    25%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1290/27

    What is United States Merchant Marine Academy known for?

    United States Merchant Marine Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  12. Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1150/24

    What is St. John Fisher University known for?

    St. John Fisher University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  13. #24

    Siena College

    Loudonville , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    77%

    Student body

    3K

  14. #25

    Alfred University

    Alfred , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/24

  15. #26

    Hartwick College

    Oneonta , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1100/22

  16. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/27

    What is State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry known for?

    State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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

    BS in Sustainability Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Degree Completion
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  17. #29

    Houghton University

    Houghton , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    <1K

    Houghton University’s Online Degrees

    BS/BBA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS/BBA in Integrated Marketing Communication
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS/BBA in Leadership Development
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS/BBA in Organizational Management
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  18. #30

    Alfred State College

    Alfred , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Alfred State College known for?

    Alfred State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Alfred State College’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Technology Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Degree Completion
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Services Management
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Management Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Degree Completion
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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New York’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest

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.

  1. Sarah Lawrence College
  2. Barnard College
  3. Vassar College
  4. Cooper Union
  5. Yeshiva University
  6. Bard College
  7. Colgate University
  8. Hamilton College
  9. Union College, New York
  10. State University of New York at Purchase
  11. Skidmore College
  12. Wagner College
  13. Hobart and William Smith Colleges
  14. Manhattan College
  15. Clarkson University
  16. St. Lawrence University
  17. Alfred University
  18. St. Bonaventure University
  19. Houghton University
  20. Iona University
  21. Le Moyne College
  22. Siena College
  23. College of Saint Rose
  24. Canisius University
  25. Niagara University