Updated at: 03-04-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

Nearly 40% of New York’s population lives on Long Island. It is only natural that a populous region would be home to a number of universities to serve the local population’s thirst for knowledge.

College students on Long Island have access to a wide variety of natural and cultural resources. Both Brooklyn and Queens, which are part of New York City, are considered to be part of Long Island.

The protected wetlands near the South Shore and the sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean are also wonderful places for students to visit outside of the NYC metro area. Rural areas are often peppered with small, sleepy towns that offer a more relaxed pace of life.

Long Island is home to a wide variety of colleges and universities, from small private faith-based liberal arts colleges to large public research universities drawing students from all over the world. Students can find a college on Long Island that caters to almost any field of study, from the arts to medicine to engineering and everything in between.

In addition, numerous degree programs at Long Island universities are recognized by authoritative guides like U.S. News & World Report. College Gazette’s editors have ranked the top 10 institutions on Long Island to assist students in narrowing their options.

These are Long Island’s top universities.

Best Colleges On Long Island

Best colleges on long island

Long Island University

Long Island University, which has been around since 1926, is known for its excellent academics and its world-class faculty. LIU has close to 265 accredited programs and a network of 267,000 alumni that includes industry leaders and entrepreneurs from all over the world. Forbes has praised LIU for its emphasis on experiential learning, and the Brookings Institution has praised LIU for its “value added” to student outcomes. Registered nursing, business administration and management, psychology, and biology are some of the most common majors among LIU students. Programs at LIU Post range from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. Check out the school’s website for application details, and take the first step toward your future profession.

Adelphi University

Adelphi University

Adelphi University’s recognition as Long Island’s top educational institution is well-deserved. In addition to its liberal arts and sciences programs, Adelphi University also provides professional education in what it calls its “Core Four” areas: the arts and humanities, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), business and education, and health and wellness. Adelphi ensures its students are prepared for success by providing them with individualized attention, practical experience, and cutting-edge resources. More than 115,000 Adelphi University alums now have the knowledge and experience to succeed in their chosen fields.

LIU Post – Brookville

In 2018, LIU Post – Brookville was named the best college or university on Long Island. LIU Post has flourished under the leadership of their award-winning president, Dr. Kimberly R. Cline. The university’s operating results are at an all-time high thanks to higher operating margins and more robust financial reserves. Real-world opportunities in tech, PR, investing, and fashion merchandising are just some of the areas where LIU has emerged as a leader. Dr. Cline has only been at LIU for three years, but already the university has grown from ten thousand to twenty thousand students under his watch. The address of the Brookville campus is 720 Northern Blvd. You can reach the university’s information line at 516-299-2000.

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University, a member of the prestigious SUNY system, is a rapidly expanding institution in terms of both physical size and academic offerings. Stony Brook University’s new state-of-the-art computer science lab, the Marine Science Research Center in Southhampton, and the Stony Brook Arena were all opened under the watchful eye of university president Dr. Samuel Stanley. It is a research institution with a stellar reputation both locally and internationally. Dental medicine, health technology and management, medical, nursing, and social work are just some of the disciplines represented at its medical center, which also conducts research and provides patient care. Stony Brook University is an asset to the people of Long Island and the surrounding area because it is a public university.

Saint Joseph’s College (Patchogue, NY)

Saint Joseph’s College (Patchogue, NY)

Saint Joseph’s College has locations in both Brooklyn and on Long Island, not far from Patchogue. The SJC also provides online options. This private school features undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, health administration, and pre-law.

Tuition is kept at an annual low of $21,400, which is $8,600 below the national average for private, four-year universities. About 84% of students will receive some form of financial aid in 2019-2020.

Saint Joseph’s University has retention rates that are significantly higher than the national average, demonstrating the dedication of the faculty to their students’ academic success. U.S. News & World Report has ranked SJC as the 71st best regional university in the North due to the achievements of its students. It’s also home to the #39 best university for military personnel.

New York Institute of Technology (Old Westbury, NY)

In addition to its main campus in Manhattan, the New York Institute of Technology also has a Long Island location. The campus is located on the well-known North Shore, making it one of the safest in the country.

There are more than 90 fields of study that students can pursue related to technology. These fields include architecture and engineering, cybersecurity, the sciences, and healthcare. Not only that, but NYIT is one of the few colleges on Long Island to provide courses of study in architectural computational technologies, energy management, and supply chain management. The programs are designed to attract and retain “do-ers,” or students who think and act like entrepreneurs.

NYIY is ranked #34 on U.S. News’ list of the best regional universities in the north. In addition to being the #15 best college for veterans, it is also ranked #56 best bargain school. The list of top schools on Long Island continues below.

SUNY Old Westbury (Old Westbury, NY)

SUNY Old Westbury (Old Westbury, NY)

The Old Westbury campus of SUNY offers nearly 60 different bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Courses in diversity, the American experience, culture, and the social sciences are just some of the many that make up the required core liberal education curriculum that gives students a well-rounded view of the world. All first-year college students must follow this curriculum.

First-year students receive specialized support through the First-Year Experience Program, which teaches them the study and time management skills they’ll need to succeed in college. Both first-year and upperclassmen are welcome to apply to the Honors College, which is designed for academically talented students.

U.S. News & World Report ranks SUNY-Old Westbury as number 50-62 among the top public universities in the country. It is also the seventh best university for students to move up in the social ladder.

Webb Institute (Glen Cove, NY)

In contrast to the other schools on this list of top universities on Long Island, the Webb Institute is devoted solely to the study of navel engineering. The only degree offered is a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture. However, because of this focus, the faculty may devote more time and energy to helping students excel in that one area.

Students enrolled in this rigorous program receive classroom instruction and hands-on training in marine, electrical, and civil engineering.

In addition, Webb University is one of the best-valued schools in the country and a great option financially because it provides full scholarships to all U.S. citizens.

More importantly, every Webb University alum finds work immediately after graduation.

Host Institution: Hofstra University

Hofstra University is a private institution that awards degrees at the bachelor’s level and beyond in many different fields, including the arts, health sciences, business, law, education, STEM, and more.

Learning at Hofstra is guided by the tenets of inquiry, student participation, and group work. Students are strongly encouraged to take an active role in their education and campus life. Additionally, you can find Hofstra University on numerous lists, such as those for best colleges for veterans, best national universities, and best value schools, among others.

Molloy College (Rockville Center, NY)

Molloy College (Rockville Center, NY)

Molloy College, ranked by US News as the 26th best regional university in the north, offers both scientific and liberal arts majors. This Catholic school has one of the lowest student-to-teacher ratios in the country, with a ratio of just 10:1.

In addition, Molloy has created a number of online and blended programs so that students can earn a flexible degree while maintaining their current professional and personal commitments. In addition, Molloy offers special tuition discounts to law enforcement officers and other first responders, even though all of its programs are reasonably priced.

Molloy College offers degrees at both the bachelor’s and the doctoral levels, but it has focused on expanding its graduate offerings in recent years. The number of graduate students at Molloy has grown by 64 percent in the last decade.

Five Towns College (Dix Hills, NY)

Five Towns College is a private institution offering advanced degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels in the areas of film, music, digital audio production, graphics, and theater. Students can also major in music management or marketing while studying business administration and management.

Students understand rigorous hands-on curricula and seasoned faculty who are ready to help each student reach their creative potential, all within an hour’s drive of New York City.

However, Five Towns College is ranked 41st by US News among the top regional universities in the north. Moreover, the college ranks 16th for the social mobility of its students, which measures the percentage of students from low-income backgrounds who ultimately earn a degree from a given institution.

Touro University

Touro University is a private, Jewish institution located in the Big Apple. Established in 1971 and given its current name in honor of Isaac and Judah Touro. It sees the preservation and transmission of Jewish culture as central to its mission.

More than a third of the college’s 1242 faculty members are full-time, and they teach more than 5400 undergraduates. It boasts a graduate student body of over 4000. There are also more women than men enrolled in graduate programs (80% vs. 70%). There are 15% black students, 8% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 64% white undergraduates. In four years, 46% of students graduate.

Monroe College

New York City is home to Monroe College, a private, for-profit institution. Established in 1933, it now operates primary locations in New Rochelle and the Bronx as well as an extension campus in Saint Lucia. The fifth U.S. president, James Monroe, is honored with the naming of this institution. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has granted accreditation to the university.

FAQs

What university is the top one in New York?

In other words, Cornell. Cornell University, a member of the prestigious Ivy League, has been around since 1865 and consistently performs well in international rankings. Cornell University has a 2,300-acre campus in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Is Long Island a town or a city?

By merging several smaller settlements, Long Island City was officially established as a city in 1870. The following year, in 1898, the Greater City of New York was established. About two-thirds of Queens County was separated at that time and named “Nassau County”; this county did not become part of NYC.

Where do most Long Islanders go to college?

The acceptance rate at Long Island University is relatively low at 85%. Approximately 50% of enrolled students at Long Island University have an SAT composite score between 1080 and 1290 or an ACT composite score between 22 and 29.

Is Long Island a good place to live?

Numerous top-notch institutions of higher learning can be found in Oyster Bay and other Long Island communities.

Conclusion

With any luck, you’ll find the information you need after reading this extensive article. Remember that enrolling in one of the top schools on Long Island is something you should definitely do, so don’t waste any more time thinking about it.