Many colleges have a strong commitment to teaching undergraduates instead of conducting graduate-level research. In a survey conducted in spring and summer 2020, the schools on these lists received the most votes from top college administrators for putting a particular focus on undergraduate teaching.
As colleges and universities navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re continuing our efforts to provide you with useful student resources and the latest online program information. Check our coronavirus resources page to learn more.
New York attracts students from around the globe to a diverse array of college programs. Learners can attend world-renowned research and liberal arts colleges in New York — both in New York City and in Upstate New York — preparing to launch successful careers.
The best colleges in New York offer majors in fields like business, communications, finance, engineering, and fine arts. Many programs emphasize professional skills to prepare students for lucrative jobs in New York, which is home to several cultural centers, global media outlets, and Fortune 500 companies.
Our ranking highlights the best colleges in New York for students from all walks of life.
What Are the 2021 Best Colleges in New York? Here Are Our Top 10:
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| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY |
| 2 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY |
| 3 | Barnard College | New York, NY |
| 4 | Hamilton College | Clinton, NY |
| 5 | New York University | New York, NY |
| 6 | University of Rochester | Rochester, NY |
| 7 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY |
| 8 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY |
| 9 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy, NY |
| 10 | Binghamton University | Vestal, NY |
How We Rank Schools
Why Study in New York?
New York offers unmatched education and enrichment opportunities for college students.
Historically, coming to New York has often represented the pursuit of the American dream. Like many of the immigrants who helped establish New York City as a cultural hub, students at colleges in New York can pursue higher education on the path to professional and personal success. New York offers unmatched education and enrichment opportunities for college students from around the globe.
While the cost of living in New York City is much higher than the national average, the state boasts the largest subway system in the U.S., helping commuters across the Tri-State Area get to work and school. Many students reside in relatively affordable housing in the New York City suburbs or New Jersey and commute to colleges in New York’s metro area.
Students who attend college in New York can choose from a variety of exciting careers. New York’s “local” economy includes the headquarters of companies like IBM, PepsiCo, JPMorgan Chase, Verizon, and Pfizer. Students attending college in New York can take advantage of ample networking, internship, and entry-level job opportunities due to their unique location.
New York also offers extracurricular activities for students from all walks of life. In their free time, students may enjoy visiting New York City’s many museums, Broadway theatres, or music venues. The Empire State is also home to several major league sports teams.
New York Employment Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York’s top industries include education and health services; trade, transportation, and utilities, and professional and business services. Chief executives and surgeons earn some of the highest mean wages in the state.
The best colleges in New York offer programs for students aspiring to careers in the tech, communications, and healthcare sectors. Additionally, New York’s software developers, producers and directors, and registered nurses all earn significantly higher hourly wages than the national averages for those positions. Hourly wages in New York are also higher than average for editors, tellers, and fast food workers.
New York Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
This guide to teaching schools in New York is designed to assist aspiring teachers who are looking to work in the state’s educational system. The contents on this page provide valuable information on the various teaching degrees offered by several colleges and universities in the state. Teacher preparation programs prepare future teachers for a career in the classroom or are great options for experienced teachers who are pursuing advancement in an established teaching career. For useful information on teaching degrees in New York, take a look at our lists of top-rated teaching programs, table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs, and student reviews of schools in the state. Whether you are applying to college for the first time or looking to advance your current career, this guide should help you find the right program for your individual needs.
Quick Facts
- There are 131 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in New York.1
- 23 colleges and universities offer an associate’s degree in education.*1
- 81 colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in education.*1
- 87 colleges and universities offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.*1
- 28 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019.2
- 11 schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2020.3
- 12 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2019.4
- 13 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2019.5
- 87 not-for-profit teacher programs are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.
*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with teacher degree programs.
Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in New York
Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019*
- Vassar College (#16)
- Columbia University (#24)
- Cornell University (#29)
- Barnard College (#42)
- Colgate University (#57)
- Binghamton University (#65)
- Yeshiva University (#67)
- Skidmore College (#93)
- University of Rochester (#94)
- Houghton College (#131)
- SUNY Geneseo (#120)
- Hunter College (#137)
- Sarah Lawrence College (#138)
- New York University (#143)
- Stony Brook University (#147)
- St. Lawrence University (#181)
- Fordham University (#210)
- Marist College (#218)
- University at Buffalo (#235)
- SUNY New Paltz (#240)
- Queens College CUNY (#245)
- SUNY Purchase College (#253)
- Syracuse University (#255)
- SUNY Oneonta (#267)
- Clarkson University (#275)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (#285)
- University at Albany (#288)
- St. John Fisher College (#297)
*Institution-wide ranking.
Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2020
- Barnard College
- City University of New York-CUNY Brooklyn College
- City University of New York-CUNY Hunter College
- Colgate University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Elmira College
- Nazareth College
- New York University
- Skidmore College
- Wagner College
US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2019
- Columbia University (#7 tie)
- New York University (#7 tie)
- Fordham University (#39 tie)
- Syracuse University (#61 tie)
- University at Albany (#66 tie)
- University at Buffalo (#88 tie)
- Binghamton University (#127 tie)
- St. John’s University (#134 tie)
- Hofstra University (#151 tie)
- D’Youville College (#195-258)
- LIU Post (#195-258)
- Manhattanville College (#195-258)
US News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2019
- University at Albany (#8)
- University at Buffalo (#25 tie)
- Fordham University (#54 tie)
- Stony Brook University (#54 tie)
- New York Institute of Technology-Old Westbury (#61 tie)
- St. John’s University (#61 tie)
- Hofstra University (#69 tie)
- Canisius College (#105 tie)
- Touro College (#139 tie)
- Niagara University (#166 tie)
- St. Bonaventure University (#214 tie)
- Mercy College (#228-299)
- Roberts Wesleyan College (#228-299)
Best Schools for Education in New York
Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the education degree levels they offer.
10 Top New York Schools in Education
#1
Teachers College at Columbia University
New York, NY
Doctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1,014EDUCATION DEGREES AWARDED
Teachers College at Columbia University is a good option for students interested in a degree in education. Teachers College is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Teachers College is a great university overall.
There were about 1014 education students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College in the most recent data year. Education degree recipients from Teachers College at Columbia University earn a boost of about $10,218 over the typical income of education graduates.More information about a degree in education from Teachers College at Columbia University
#2
New York University
New York, NY
Doctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
627EDUCATION DEGREES AWARDED
It’s hard to beat New York University if you wish to pursue a degree in education. NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.
There were roughly 627 education students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. Education degree recipients from New York University earn a boost of about $2,500 over the average income of education majors.More information about a degree in education from New York University
#3
Relay Graduate School of Education
New York, NY
Master’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1,753EDUCATION DEGREES AWARDED
Relay Graduate School of Education is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in education. Relay Graduate School of Education is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.
There were about 1753 education students who graduated with this degree at Relay Graduate School of Education in the most recent year we have data available. Education degree recipients from Relay Graduate School of Education receive an earnings boost of approximately $16,970 above the typical income of education majors.More information about a degree in education from Relay Graduate School of Education
#4
Bank Street College of Education
New York, NY
Master’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
452 EDUCATION DEGREES AWARDED
Every student pursuing a degree in education needs to take a look at Bank Street College of Education. Bank Street College of Education is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of New York.
There were roughly 452 education students who graduated with this degree at Bank Street College of Education in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the education major at Bank Street College of Education earn $8,998 more than the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.More information about a degree in education from Bank Street College of Education
#5
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Doctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
277EDUCATION DEGREES AWARDED
Located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #71 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Syracuse is a great university overall.
There were about 277 education students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the education program make an average of $56,031 in their early career salary.More information about a degree in education from Syracuse University
#6
Hunter College
New York, NY
Doctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1,183EDUCATION DEGREES AWARDED
Hunter is a very large public college located in the city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #290 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Hunter is a great college overall.
There were approximately 1183 education students who graduated with this degree at Hunter in the most recent data year. Those education students who get their degree from Hunter College make $13,804 more than the average education student.More information about a degree in education from Hunter College
#7
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY
Doctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
317EDUCATION DEGREES AWARDED
University of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Rochester. A Best Colleges rank of #63 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means University of Rochester is a great university overall.
There were about 317 education students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the education major at University of Rochester get $6,675 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.More information about a degree in education from University of Rochester
#8
Fordham University
Bronx, NY
Doctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
192EDUCATION DEGREES AWARDED
Fordham U is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Bronx. A Best Colleges rank of #121 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Fordham U is a great university overall.
There were about 192 education students who graduated with this degree at Fordham U in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the education program at Fordham University get $18,660 above the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.More information about a degree in education from Fordham University
#9
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
Master’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
87EDUCATION DEGREES AWARDED
Ithaca is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #168 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Ithaca is a great college overall.
There were roughly 87 education students who graduated with this degree at Ithaca in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the education program earn around $50,068 for their early career.More information about a degree in education from Ithaca College
#10
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY
Master’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
837EDUCATION DEGREES AWARDED
Located in the large city of Brooklyn, Brooklyn College is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 55th out of 143 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were roughly 837 education students who graduated with this degree at Brooklyn College in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the education major at Brooklyn College earn $6,193 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
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