25 Best Universities In New York For International Students 2025

New York is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 133 universities and colleges in New York, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 133 universities in New York, Columbia University and Cornell University are the top-performing schools in New York. This list covers both public and private institutions in New York.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in New York. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in New York.

How do I get admission to the best universities in New York?

Applying to the universities in New York involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in New York to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in New York?

Tuition fees at New York’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 USD to 79,800 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 USD to 77,400 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in New York!

As we cover the best universities in New York for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in New York for International Students

Columbia University is one of the world’s top-ranking institutions. It comprises several schools and colleges, each with specialty programs that offer prestigious training and education. Such excellence may be due, in part, to its extensive history that dates back to 1754, which establishes it as one of the USA’s oldest academic institutions. Besides its Morningside Heights, where most programs are held, the university also has locations known as the Irving Medical Center, Manhattanville Campus, Baker Athletics Complex, and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

Cornell University is an Ivy League institution; that alone reflects the high-level quality education it provides for its students. No less is expected of a university that ranks 22nd in most institution rankings. It offers several programs through its main campus in Ithaca and branches in New York City and Qatar. Some of these programs are provided by state-supported colleges within Cornell.

Established in 1831, New York University (NYU) is one of the most influential institutions in the world. NYU ticks all the boxes when it comes to academic excellence. This prestigious university welcomes elite students from across the globe, training and educating them to become world-class leaders and experts. In addition, it is one of the select universities that has admitted a multitude of international students.

The University of Rochester is a premier private university in New York state. As a research-intensive institution, the university dedicates a significant portion of funding to impactful projects. Various undergraduate and graduate programs are offered, including medicine, music, arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and many more. Besides welcoming thousands of students yearly, the university employs thousands of faculty and staff, making it one of the state’s largest employers.

Stony Brook University was established to train mathematics and science secondary school teachers. Over the years, it has progressed and begun to welcome more students with passion in different fields. One of the university’s missions is to offer a comprehensive and intensive professional education in the state.

University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY) is one of the leading public state universities in New York. The institution has a broad selection of educational programs with over 140 undergraduate and more than 300 graduate programs. The university is comprised of talented and skillful students, and providing the best education is the institution’s top priority. Additionally, its alumni are some of the leading and internationally recognized personalities and leaders across the globe.

Rockefeller University is best for students passionate about biological and medical sciences. It has a very high research activity and constantly advocates for innovation. The university is complete with advanced equipment and tools to solve the complexities of society. Rockefeller University is a graduate-only university.

Syracuse University is a nonsectarian, private university with a history that goes back to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Also known as ‘Cuse, it is renowned for programs in information sciences, architecture, communications, engineering, business administration, and more. The university’s training and education are of such quality that students may expect early career success. Moreover, SU provides many forms of financial aid.

The United States Military Academy, also known simply as West Point, was established in 1802 in West Point, New York as legislated by President Thomas Jefferson. It is among the service academies in the United States dedicated to educating future soldiers. The academy currently offers 36 majors in various disciplines designed to understand and serve the needs of society.

Yeshiva University is a top-ranked Jewish institution. It has four campuses across New York City: Wilf, Israel Henry Beren, Brookdale Center, and Jack and Pearl Resnick. The types and subject scopes of its undergrad and grad programs are varied. They offer online programs, evening courses, dual studies, and more. Both liberal arts and sciences are covered.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is an academic arm of the Mount Sinai Health System that manages hospital campuses in New York. The school is globally leading in terms of medical and scientific training, research, and patient care. Its research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is among the 99th percentile of private medical schools in research dollars per investigator.

The University at Albany is known by many names. Formally, it is the University at Albany – State University of New York or the State University of New York at Albany. Shortly, it became known as UAlbany, SUNY Albany, or University of Albany – SUNY. UAlbany is part of the SUNY system as one of its university centers. Besides its Albany campus, it also has locations in Rensselaer and Guilderland. It has a wide selection of programs, consisting of 50+ majors for undergraduates and 150+ for graduate students.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) offers comprehensive study programs in technology, art, and design. The university continues to supply and develop innovative, relevant, and industry-specific academic programs. It is fully committed to providing its students with the highest standards of teaching and research. Additionally, RIT has long-term partnerships with companies and universities abroad to give its students opportunities to expand their knowledge and undergo extensive training.

Being a Jesuit institution located in the heart of New York, Fordham University is probably one of the oldest Catholic colleges situated in the United States. Having many famous alumni among its ranks, this institution was the academic institution attended by Donald Trump, a few billionaires, government officials, and even cardinals of the Catholic Church. Playing a key role in the government of the United States, Fordham University offers a wide variety of academic subjects established in the Jesuit discipline.

Founded in 1946, Binghamton University, State University of New York or SUNY Binghamton, is one of the best public universities in the northeastern region of the US. It is a leading institution that offers various academic disciplines in arts, sciences, engineering, applied science, management, public affairs, health science, and pharmacy. To fully equip its students with the necessary knowledge and skills, the university invests in its facilities, laboratories, and training centers to provide only the highest quality of teaching and research.

With two colleges and four schools, Pace University offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs to 12,000 students. It has multiple campuses throughout New York City and Westchester, and it also has different opportunities for studying for up to a year in another country. Pace University is famous for its College of Arts, which offers multiple degree programs for those who want to work in the entertainment industry. In fact, its Center for the Arts has been the recording studio of a few famous TV shows and many important celebrities have worked in the theater. The university also has other modern facilities, like different research laboratories and the Women’s Justice Center.

Standing out with its energized campus, Hofstra University is dedicated to providing intensive supervision to students. The university has more than 150 programs for students worldwide to choose from. Hofstra University is considered the largest and most prominent university in the Long Island region.

Located in a small city west of New York, Vassar College is a relatively small institution that offers 51 degree programs to 2,500 students. Although it doesn’t have such a large student body, there are multiple activities and learning opportunities available. It has 27 sports teams and over 20 student organizations, including theater, environmental, comedy, and music groups. Vassar College only offers bachelor’s degrees, but it provides internship and volunteering opportunities to students and gives assistance to those who want to get a master’s degree in another university.

Situated in a trendy place in New York City, The New School is an institution known for its specialization in design, performing arts, social research, and public engagement. Due to its focus on high-quality academic programs, this institution welcomes high-potential applicants alongside its cutting-edge faculty. Not only that, but this institution also houses one of the most international students, which leads to a welcoming culture and an awesome environment for foreign applicants.

Bard College is a private academic institution in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. It was founded in 1860 through its predecessor, St. Stephen’s College. The college currently offers Business, Liberal Arts, and Music degree programs and enrolls over 6,000 students.

St. John’s University is a university that upholds Roman Catholic principles. It seeks to serve the growing immigrant population with high-quality education. The university has expanded dramatically over the years and has international campuses in Europe.

Barnard College is a women’s liberal arts college. It encourages students to go beyond their comfort zones and contribute to society through research. At Barnard, students have the chance to hone their skills and achieve total development because of its concentrated educational programs.

Ithaca College began as a music conservatory, allowing it to play a significant role in molding media practitioners and future entertainers. The college has since expanded to cover other programs in business and sciences, but its reputation in the media and entertainment industry remains solid. Nationally, it is top-ranked, placing 201st in the US by QS rankings. It is also set in a gorgeous location – amidst the waterfalls of Ithaca, leaving students with great memories of the place.

Colgate University is one of the most selective universities in the country. Because of this, students can expect high-quality education and practical supervision when admitted. The university aims to train future leaders in society and hone their skills.

The State University of New York – Geneseo was founded as a liberal arts college that is renowned worldwide. It offers 50 undergraduate programs and 26 graduate programs. The university continuously supplies competent graduates through their internship and research programs.