2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York
It's not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for veterans. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking.
Our analysis looked at 142 schools in New York to determine which ones were the best for veterans and active service men and women. To come up with this ranking, we look at more than 20 factors that are all objective measurements. These factors include percentage of costs covered by the GI Bill®, whether or not the school has a student's veteran organization, and the school's overall quality.
See what other factors we include in our ranking methodology.
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Top Colleges for Veterans in New York
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our 2021 rankings named Excelsior University the best school in New York for veterans working on their bachelor’s degree. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Albany, New York, and it awarded 5,019 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Excelsior University supports 21,974 students, and 2,826 of those are GI Bill® students. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,792. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
In addition to its great veterans ranking, Excelsior University is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Schools in New York list.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Syracuse University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for veterans in New York. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Syracuse, New York, and it awarded 7,498 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 596 of the 21,322 students enrolled at Syracuse were GI Bill® students, of which 573 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $18,100. On top of their other funding sources, 179 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. On top of its placing in our veterans ranking, Syracuse also did well on our Best Schools in New York list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
A rank of #3 on our Best Colleges for Veterans in New York list means Rochester Institute of Technology is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Rochester, New York, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 4,040 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 16,158 students enrolled at RIT, 277 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 229 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $22,837. To help with additional expenses, 101 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. RIT does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. RIT excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in New York list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend D’Youville College. The school came in at #4 in New York on this year’s best for vets ranking. Buffalo, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 868 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, D’Youville College supports 2,785 students, and 148 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 84 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $13,082. To help with additional expenses, 23 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. D’Youville College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Out of the 142 schools in New York that were part of this year’s ranking, SUNY Empire State College landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, and it awarded 2,729 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 10,724 students enrolled at SUNY Empire, 333 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 236 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,080. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Pace University - New York ranked #6 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in New York list. Pace University is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,697 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Pace University supports 12,835 students, and 353 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 345 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $22,459. In addition to receiving other benefits, 195 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Binghamton University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Vestal, New York, and it awarded 5,296 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 18,148 students enrolled at Binghamton University, 104 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 56 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,647. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. In addition to its great veterans ranking, Binghamton University is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Schools in New York list.
Fordham University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in New York list. Located in Bronx, New York, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 5,726 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 401 of the 16,364 students enrolled at Fordham U were GI Bill® students, of which 341 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $18,889. On top of their other funding sources, 159 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Fordham U also is in the top 15% of our Best Schools in New York ranking.
With a ranking of #9, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York list. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13,628 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Our most recent data shows that 797 of the 30,135 students enrolled at Columbia were GI Bill® students, of which 528 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $20,878. To help with additional expenses, 361 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Columbia also made our Best Schools in New York list, coming in at #2.
Read full report on Columbia University in the City of New York
Adelphi University landed the #10 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking. Garden City, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,516 students in 2019-2020.
Among the 7,584 students enrolled at Adelphi, 105 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 73 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $17,254. In addition to receiving other benefits, 28 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Adelphi does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The low student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
New York University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 18,334 students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 681 of the 52,775 students enrolled at NYU were GI Bill® students, of which 482 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $21,831. To help with additional expenses, 265 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The low student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. NYU also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in New York list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
SUNY Oswego did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking, coming in at #12. SUNY Oswego is located in Oswego, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,056 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Our most recent data shows that 158 of the 7,636 students enrolled at SUNY Oswego were GI Bill® students, of which 84 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,897. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Stony Brook University landed the #13 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking. Stony Brook, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 7,646 students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 205 of the 26,782 students enrolled at SUNY Stony Brook were GI Bill® students, of which 137 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,824. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
University at Buffalo ranked #14 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in New York list. Buffalo, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 9,020 students in 2019-2020.
Among the 32,347 students enrolled at University at Buffalo, 364 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 214 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,066. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
SUNY Maritime College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking. Located in Throggs Neck, New York, the small public school awarded 358 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, SUNY Maritime College supports 1,671 students, and 69 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 58 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,697. SUNY Maritime College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
St. John Fisher College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking. Rochester, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,078 students in 2019-2020.
Among the 3,610 students enrolled at Fisher, 63 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 48 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $18,076. To help with additional expenses, 15 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.
Niagara University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking, coming in at #17. Niagara University, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,187 students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 119 of the 3,544 students enrolled at Niagara were GI Bill® students, of which 76 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $14,794. During this same period, 14 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a ranking of #18, SUNY Canton did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York list. SUNY Canton is a small public school situated in Canton, New York. It awarded 811 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, SUNY Canton supports 3,135 students, and 155 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 126 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,253. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Farmingdale State College did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking, coming in at #19. SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale is located in Farmingdale, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,209 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Our most recent data shows that 263 of the 10,018 students enrolled at SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale were GI Bill® students, of which 172 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,669. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
With a ranking of #20, Cornell University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York list. Cornell is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Ithaca, New York. It awarded 8,245 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Cornell supports 23,620 students, and 621 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 519 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,152. On top of their other funding sources, 150 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Cornell also took the #1 spot in our Best Schools in New York rankings.
With a ranking of #21, Clarkson University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York list. Potsdam, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,178 students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 70 of the 4,025 students enrolled at Clarkson were GI Bill® students, of which 45 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $23,853. In addition to receiving other benefits, 40 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. On top of its placing in our veterans ranking, Clarkson also did well on our Best Schools in New York list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Nazareth College landed the #22 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking. Rochester, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,003 students in 2019-2020.
Among the 2,791 students enrolled at Nazareth, 76 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 54 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $13,948. During this same period, 14 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a bachelor’s degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Roberts Wesleyan College did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking, coming in at #23. Roberts Wesleyan is located in Rochester, New York and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 627 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Among the 1,706 students enrolled at Roberts Wesleyan, 56 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 45 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $14,351. On top of their other funding sources, 1 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Manhattan College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking. Located in Riverdale, New York, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1,119 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Manhattan supports 3,965 students, and 167 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 145 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $25,520. On top of their other funding sources, 84 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. In addition to its great veterans ranking, Manhattan is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Schools in New York list.
University at Albany did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in New York ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Albany, New York, the fairly large public school handed out 5,048 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 17,688 students enrolled at UAlbany, 263 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 162 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,208. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Best Colleges for Veterans in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our Best Colleges for Veterans ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY |
| 27 | The College at Brockport | Brockport, NY |
| 28 | Molloy College | Rockville Centre, NY |
| 29 | Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY |
More New York Rankings
Best Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region
Explore all the Best Colleges for Veterans in the Middle Atlantic Area or other specific states within that region.
| State |
|---|
| Pennsylvania |
| New Jersey |
| Maryland |
| District of Columbia |
| Delaware |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 25 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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