Top Universities in New York, USA 2025-26: Rankings, Tuition Fees, Eligibility & More

New York is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the USA. 

Here, you’ll find everything from Ivy League powerhouses to some of the top public research universities in the USA. Whether you’re interested in science, business, nursing, or any other field, the top universities in New York undoubtedly have something to offer you.  

In this article, we’ll take you through the rankings, the admission process, scholarships, loans, and more for the top universities in New York. 

So now, without any further ado, let’s jump right into the list of top universities in New York.

Top universities in New York (with tuition fees, rankings, and application deadlines)

NYC is one of the ‘best student cities in the USA’, according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings.

Here is a list of the top ten universities in New York in 2024:

Let’s learn a bit more about some of these universities:

Columbia University

Website: https://www.columbia.edu/
Established in: 1754 as ‘King’s College, New York’

Number of Students: Approximately 30,000 students, including around 8,000 undergraduates and 22,000 graduate students.

Tuition Fees: Approximately $65,204 per year for most Master’s programs (as of 2024).

Known For: Officially known as ‘Columbia University in the City of New York’, this institute is a private Ivy League school that is revered across the world. It is the fifth-oldest higher-education institution in the USA, and the oldest in New York. It is one of the top private universities in New York and has earned that status over centuries. Its alumni include numerous influential figures, including presidents of the USA, Nobel laureates, and leaders in various sectors. The campus is situated in Morning Heights, which many say is the most naturally beautiful campus in the USA.

Best Programs: Columbia University is known for excellence in many fields, including the ones listed below:

• Columbia Law School is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the United States.
• Columbia Business School is known for its MBA program and leadership in finance and entrepreneurship.
• The Mailman School of Public Health ranks highly for its research and public health education.
• The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science offers strong programs in various engineering disciplines.
• The Graduate School of Journalism is recognized for its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on investigative reporting.

New York University (NYU)

Website: https://www.nyu.edu/ 

Number of Students: Approximately 52,000 students are enrolled, including around 26,000 undergraduates and 26,000 graduate students.

Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate for undergraduate admissions is approximately 16%, making it a highly selective university.

Tuition Fees: Typically around $60,000 per year for international Master’s students.

Known For: NYU is known for its global presence, with degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, in addition to its 17 schools and colleges in New York City. It is also recognized for its strong programs in the arts, business, and social sciences. NYU’s main campus is located in Greenwich Village, providing a vibrant urban environment for students. The university also has campuses and study-abroad sites in various locations around the world, offering students a global educational experience. NYU is known for its diverse student body, with students from all 50 states of the USA and more than 130 countries.

Best Programs: NYU excels in various fields, particularly as detailed below:

• The Leonard N. Stern School of Business is renowned for its undergraduate and graduate programs in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
• The Tisch School of the Arts is one of the top-ranked film schools in the world, offering programs in film and television production, acting, and dramatic writing.
• The New York University School of Law is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the United States.
• The NYU Grossman School of Medicine is a highly regarded medical school with a strong focus on research and innovation.
• NYU offers strong programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences through its College of Arts and Science and various other schools.

Cornell University

Website: https://www.cornell.edu/ 

Number of Students: Approximately 24,000 students are enrolled, including around 15,000 undergraduates and 9,000 graduate students.

Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate for undergraduate admissions is approximately 10.9%, making it a highly selective university.

Tuition Fees: Approximately $66,000 per year for most Master’s programs.

Known For: Cornell is one of the top universities in New York for engineering programs. It is also recognized for its land-grant mission and focus on practical applications of knowledge. Cornell’s main campus is located in Ithaca, New York. The university also has campuses and facilities in Geneva, and Qatar, providing students with diverse learning opportunities. Cornell is known for its strong alumni network, which includes notable figures in various fields such as business, politics, and the arts.

Best Programs: Cornell excels in many areas but particularly in the following fields:

• Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Engineering
• Hotel Administration
• Industrial and Labor Relations
• Veterinary Medicine

Baruch College

Website: https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/ 

Established in: 1919

Number of Students: Approximately 18,000 students are enrolled, including around 15,000 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate students.

Tuition Fees: Around $28,000 per year for international students in various graduate programs.

Known For: Baruch College is one of the top public universities in New York, and is known for its affordability above everything else. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a strong focus on business, public affairs, and the liberal arts. These aspects make Baruch one of the top universities in New York for MS programs.

Best Programs: Baruch College is also a leader in many fields. These are:

• Business
• Public Affairs
• Arts and Sciences

And with that, we wrap up the top 10 universities in New York. Next, we’ll explain how you can choose the best Master’s program for your needs.

How to choose the best program to study in New York?

Here are five key questions to ask yourself when choosing among the top universities in New York:

• First, spend some time thinking about your career goals. Think about what field you want to work in, and whether any standout programs in that field are offered in New York.
• Next, look for universities with a good reputation in that field. For example, even though Cornell is highly regarded, you wouldn’t go there to study acting. For that, you’d go to NYU.
• Then, explore whether your selected university has strong industry connections and a solid alumni network.
• Also, look out for full-time programs that offer partly online classes. While a great many programs are offline-only, having some online classes could actually help slash the cost of attendance.
• Then, consider the total cost of the program (including housing and living).
• After that, look at financial aid options that can help fund your degree. Consider scholarships, research assistantships, graduate assistantships, and teaching assistant positions.
• Finally, if you have any doubts, consider speaking to an industry professional. 

While the above method will help you shortlist good programs, it is time-consuming and impractical to analyze 100 programs this way. That’s why a much better way to find your best program and university is to use SelectRight.

Here’s how it works: 

1. Create an account and complete your profile with your academic scores, desired program, and tuition fee expectations. 
2. SelectRight uses over 8 million data points across 40,000+ programs and 4,000+ universities to provide personalized recommendations. 
3. Receive a curated list of programs that best match your profile. 
4. Compare the recommended programs using detailed insights and data. 
5. Connect with alumni and experts to finalize your choice.

Start shortlisting courses and universities for Spring ’25 now. Sign Up on SelectRight today!

Scholarships to study an MS in New York

Studying at a university in New York can be expensive. However, there are several ways to ease the financial burden, with scholarships being one of the most effective options. Numerous scholarships are available to help you fund your education.

First, let’s consider scholarships specifically for Indian students. These scholarships are offered by various organizations, including both governmental and private bodies. They provide substantial financial support. Here is an overview of some of these scholarships:

However, the competition for these awards is intense, with lakhs of applicants competing for just a few hundred awards. You’d stand a much better chance of getting a scholarship from one of the top universities in New York that you are applying to.
Fortunately, many of them have their own financial aid programs, some examples of which are listed below:

In addition to scholarships, students can explore graduate assistantships or research fellowships, which often come with tuition fee waivers and stipends.

If scholarships cannot be secured, consider looking into student loans as an alternative to finance your education.

Education loans for a Master’s in New York

Here are the steps to getting an education loan for a Master’s in New York:

1. Research loan providers for graduate students. Look at banks like ICICI, Axis, HDFC, and Non-Banking Financial Corporations like InCred and Avanse.
2. Compare loan details carefully. Check interest rates, repayment options, coverage, and eligibility requirements. Even a 0.5% difference in interest rates can save you lakhs of rupees over time.
3. Choose a few providers and apply. Fill out their forms, submit the required documents, and wait for their decision.

This process can be overwhelming. Students often apply to multiple lenders, making it hard to track applications, and it doesn’t help that there are many loan options to compare from. On top of that, students don’t even get the right education loan and end up paying lakhs extra due to high interest rates and other hidden fees.

That’s why we built FundRight. 

On FundRight, you need to create just one account and you can get loan offers from 15 of the best Indian and international lenders. Here is how it works:

1. Create a free FundRight account and complete your profile.
2. Within two days, get loan offers from the top 15 banks and NBFCs in India and abroad.
3. Get unbiased advice from FundRight’s financial experts throughout the process.
4. Securely upload your documents. 
5. Get your loan approved in 10 days or less. 

And the best part? FundRight is free for students to use. It aims to simplify the loan search, help you compare options easily, and find the best education loan for your needs.

Get started on a cost-effective study abroad loan for Spring ’25 by signing up on FundRight today!

Benefits of Studying Your Masters’ in New York

Several benefits come with pursuing a Master’s in New York. Here are the top ones:

1. Many New York programs are STEM-designated, allowing students to work in the USA for up to 3 years after F-1 visa expiration through OPT extension. This provides valuable work experience for graduates. 
2. New York programs emphasize practical experience. Most Master’s curricula at NY universities include mandatory internships or capstone projects, enhancing graduates’ competitiveness in the job market.
3. High tuition costs in New York are often offset by equally high starting salaries. Many graduates can repay student loans within a couple of years of completing their degree.
4. New York City offers a vast array of internship and job opportunities across various industries, from finance and tech to media and arts.
5. The city’s diverse economy provides exposure to multiple sectors, allowing students to explore different career paths.
6. New York’s status as a global business hub offers unique networking opportunities with industry leaders and potential employers.
7. The city’s multicultural environment prepares students for working in global markets and with diverse teams.
8. Many New York universities have strong alumni networks, providing valuable connections for future career opportunities.

And with that, we come to the end of this article on the top universities in New York. We hope you found it useful, and we’ll see you in the next one.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does the cost of living in New York City compare to other major US cities for students?

New York City is generally more expensive than most other cities in the USA. However, areas like Brooklyn or Queens can be more affordable than Manhattan. On average, students should budget 20-30% more for living expenses compared to other major cities like Chicago or Los Angeles.

2. Are there any unique study-abroad opportunities specific to New York universities?

Many New York universities offer exclusive study abroad programs leveraging their global connections. For example, some have exchange programs with top Asian and European universities or special internship opportunities with international organizations based in NYC.

3. How accessible are part-time job opportunities for international students in New York?

New York offers abundant part-time job opportunities for students, especially in retail, hospitality, and tutoring. International students on F-1 visas can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus, and can often find relevant opportunities in university departments or research centers.

4. Are there any New York-specific scholarships or grants that international students might not know about?

Yes, there are several New York-specific scholarships. The New York Financial Writers’ Association Scholarship for journalism students, the New York Women in Communications Scholarship, and the New York State STEM Incentive Program are a few examples that international students might overlook.

5. Are there any special transportation discounts or programs for university students in New York?

Yes, many New York universities participate in the MTA’s University Transit Program, which offers discounted MetroCards to full-time students. These MetroCards are for unlimited use. Some universities also provide shuttle services between campuses and popular student residential areas.