25 Best Universities In New York City For International Students 2025

New York City 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 43 universities and colleges in New York City, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 43 universities in New York City, Columbia University and New York University are the top-performing schools in New York City. This list covers both public and private institutions in New York City.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in New York City, 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 City, New York.

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

Applying to the universities in New York City 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 City 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 City?

Tuition fees at New York City’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 14,900 USD to 60,600 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 10,300 USD to 77,400 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in New York City!

As we cover the best universities in New York City 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 City 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Touro University was established as a higher education provider for the Jewish community. Over the years, the university has grown to become the largest private Jewish institution of higher and professional education that offers various degrees of education, from undergraduate to graduate studies, across 4 countries. The university is serving over 19,000 students across 35 schools across the world.

Situated in Brooklyn, New York, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University has been providing excellent medical and health sciences education to a broader segment of the population since its establishment in 1860. It has a diverse student population, 57% of which are minorities. The university aims to produce highly qualified professionals and practitioners who are not only knowledgeable and skilled but also possess the ethical and moral commitment to improve the health and overall well-being of the community.

City College of New York offers excellent learning, teaching, and research on its beautiful campus. The institution aims to train students and help them achieve their career goals. It is one of the leading universities in the state due to its comprehensive and intensive curriculum.

Lehman College is a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system and is the system’s only four-year college in the Bronx area. It provides students opportunities to pursue the sciences, liberal arts, and professional education. Lehman College is ranked 251st in the US by QS rankings.

The School of Visual Arts is a safe haven for students who have a passion for arts and design. The institution provides the necessary training that every aspiring artist would want. As an art school, it hopes to become the catalyst of innovation and creativity through campus activities and rigorous coursework.

The New York Law School is among the premier law schools in the United States. Here, students have the opportunity to choose between taking day or evening classes fit for their daily schedule. The New York Law School is the alma mater of notable figures in business and politics, like the famed TV personality and family court judge, Judith “Judge Judy” Sheidlin.

The Fashion Institute of Technology is located in one of the biggest shopping districts in the world, New York. A member of the State University of New York, it hosts undergraduate and graduate programs in fashion, marketing, design, and fashion business management. Renowned alumni include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Nina Garcia.

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private institution for higher education founded in 1859 in New York City. It was primarily established with the intention of providing equal and accessible innovative education. It is currently made up of three colleges offering programs in art, architecture, and engineering. 

Baruch College is named after Bernard M. Baruch, a renowned financier, and businessman. It is a constituent campus of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, with an origin tracing back to the Free Academy, the pioneering institution for free higher education in the United States. Baruch College offers over 60 degree programs through its three schools: Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, Weismann School of Arts and Sciences, and Zicklin School of Business.

Manhattan College is a private institution that offers 52 bachelor’s degree programs and 20 master’s degree programs in its six schools. It also offers multiple 5-year programs in which students can get a bachelor’s and a master’s degree faster. Since this is a Catholic inclusive university, it has worship opportunities for students from different religions. Additionally, community service is at the core of its education since the faculty not only encourages students to participate in volunteering but also has service-based learning experiences with non-profits as part of the programs’ curriculums.

In the populous city of New York stands the Brooklyn Law School. It is a comprehensive institution offering flexible post-graduate programs in law. The Legal Writing program of the Brooklyn Law School is widely recognized for equipping students with critical thinking and reasoning skills fitting for the competitive world of law.

The Graduate Center, CUNY, is a major Ph.D. institution in the New York City University (CUNY) system, located opposite the Empire State Building, in the B. Altman and Company Building. Several Ph.D. programs at the CUNY Graduate Center consistently rank in the top 30 in the United States. In particular, the Advanced Scientific Research Center has a high application rate as it strengthens STEM education and promotes a collaborative research culture of scientists in various fields, which brings practical benefits to society.

John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a liberal arts college that offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate level programs. The student population is highly diverse, with students from over 130 countries. The college is proud of its alumni, including three Pulitzer Prize winners and hundreds who are doing volunteer and societal work. Over fifty percent of their alumni are involved in public work through the government or non-governmental organizations.

Queens College is a member of the 25-campus City University of New York system. It is well-ranked in the US, placing 344th in the Times Higher Education college rankings. Several programs are offered for undergrad and grad students. It has bachelor’s programs, adult collegiate education, and medical career preparation certificate for undergrads. As for grad students, Queens College provides master’s, online, and accelerated programs.

Hailed among the world’s best performing arts universities is The Juilliard School. It features a competitive acceptance rate, with only 7% of applicants successfully getting in the prestigious university. The Juilliard School has won over 300 Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar awards through world-class performances and renowned alumni.