New York is home to a wide variety of excellent schools and it can be hard to decide which one is best for you. With so many options and different factors to consider, it’s not always an easy process. To make the right decision, you must take advantage of all the information available. In this article, we’ve have compiled a list of the easiest colleges to get into in New York.
There are many colleges in New York with open admission policies, which have very few admission requirements and that accept just about all applicants. There are also universities with high acceptance rates and colleges with high acceptance rates in New York that hardly turn down students. This article explores those universities, colleges and community colleges.
What Are the Easiest Colleges to Get Into in New York?
The easiest colleges to get into in New York are the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, Berkeley College, and SUNY Empire State College. These schools provide their students with a wide range of hands-on experience to help them learn skills and provide them with a college experience that fosters a sense of community.
Colleges in New York With Open Admissions
Open admissions mean that the school accepts anyone applying to the school so long as they have a high school diploma or GED. While New York has several colleges with open admission policies, not all of them offer the same academic options, especially when it comes to more specialized fields like mechanical engineering or environmental science.
Open Admissions Colleges in New York
- Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
- Berkeley College
- Excelsior College
- SUNY Empire State College
- Boricua College
- College of Staten Island
Are There Good Universities With High Acceptance Rates in New York?
Yes, there are good universities in New York with high acceptance rates. As long as a prospective first-year student satisfies the entrance requirements, they are usually accepted. These universities, whether public colleges or private schools, do their best to support student life through a wide range of activities on campus and provide them with opportunities for growth.
Common Admissions Requirements for Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in New York
The majority of colleges with a high acceptance rate require applicants to meet a few admission requirements to be considered. Some of these requirements include a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some colleges also have alternative application deadlines such as those for early decision or early action admissions.
- Completed application form and fee. Students must submit an online application and pay a $50 to $100 application fee. Some universities don’t charge an application fee.
- Grade point average (GPA). Schools in New York with a high acceptance rate typically don’t require applicants to have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
- Official transcript from high school. You’ll need to send a copy of your official transcript from high school to the universities you are applying to prove that you’ve earned your diploma.
- Recommendation letter. While not all colleges require this, some schools will ask you to submit a letter of recommendation from one of your teachers, counselors, or organizational leaders.
- Personal statement. Similar to letters of recommendation, not all schools require you to write a personal statement, but those who do primarily use it to learn more about their incoming students.
The Best Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in New York
| School | Acceptance Rate | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology | 100% | $26,150 |
| Berkeley College | 100% | $27,600 |
| Excelsior College | 100% | $510/credit for all undergraduate programs except nursing programs |
| SUNY Empire State College | 100% | In-state: $7,630 Out-of-state: 17,540 |
| Boricua College | 100% | $11,025 |
| College of Staten Island | 100% | In-state: $7,490 Out-of-state: $15,440 |
| Nyack College | 100% | $26,500 |
| Hartwick College | 96% | $49,814 |
| Hilbert College | 93% | $25,680 |
| Niagara University | 92% | $35,980 |
Easiest Colleges to Get Into in New York: A Closer Look
Despite their high admission rates, New York’s most accessible institutions offer a wide range of fantastic academic programs. If you satisfy all the requirements for admission, you’ll have a good chance of being accepted. Below is a detailed breakdown of the easiest universities to get into in New York.
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
- Location: Flushing, NY
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: Admission interview, SAT or ACT scores
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology is a private college with one of the top programs for engineering and aviation education, including mechanical engineering. First established in New Jersey in 1932 before moving to New York City in 1940, the College of Aeronautics changed its name to the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in 2004.
Berkeley College
- Location: New York, NY
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: None
Founded in 1931, Berkeley College is a private college with both on-campus and online programs. The institution has approximately 2,400 undergraduate students enrolled and is one of the most accessible institutions in New Jersey and New York thanks to its open admissions policy. Berkeley College’s stunning campus in the heart of Manhattan contributes to its vibrant student life.
Excelsior College
- Location: Albany, NY
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: Varies by program
Excelsior College is a private online college located in Albany, New York with a 100 percent acceptance rate thanks to its open admissions policy. With a School of Undergraduate Studies, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Nursing, Excelsior college grants a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as flexible online degree programs.
SUNY Empire State College
- Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: N/A
A public university and one of the cheapest colleges in New York, Empire State College, also known as SUNY Empire or ESC, is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. In addition to its in-person programs, its Center for Distant Learning offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degrees, and distance degrees to students worldwide and has a 100 percent acceptance rate.
Boricua College
- Location: New York, NY
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: Minimum seventeen years of age, a high school graduate or equivalent, pass a written entrance examination and an oral interview examination
Boricua College is a private university in New York City with a 100 percent acceptance rate that was created to meet the educational requirements of the city’s Hispanic population from Puerto Rico and other countries. The school has just over 500 undergraduate students and a few dozen graduate students.
College of Staten Island (CUNY)
- Location: Staten Island, NY
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: High school diploma or equivalency
The City University of New York’s four-year College of Staten Island is a senior college with a 100 percent acceptance rate. The college provides its students with opportunities for growth thanks to its open admissions policy. The school offers doctorate, advanced certificate, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate programs across various fields of study.
Nyack College
- Location: New York, NY
- Number of applicants per year: 284
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school record, recommendation letters
Nyack College is a private Christian university connected to the Christian and Missionary Alliance in New York with a 100 percent acceptance rate. The Alliance Theological Seminary, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Graduate and Professional Program are the school’s three academic departments that enroll just over 2,000 students.
Hartwick College
- Location: Oneonta, NY
- Number of applicants per year: 3,394
- Percent admitted: 96%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, a secondary school record
Located in Oneonta, New York, Hartwick College is a private liberal arts institution with a 96 percent acceptance rate. With over 1,200 undergraduate students originating from 30 states and 22 countries, the college has a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. Hartwick College offers bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs in areas such as nursing, biology, and creative writing.
Hilbert College
- Location: Hamburg, NY
- Number of applicants per year: 1,046
- Percent admitted: 93%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA
A private Catholic university located near Buffalo in Hamburg, New York, Hilbert College’s stunning campus features, apart from Buffalo’s bustle and entertainment, cutting-edge academic, administrative, and sports facilities. In addition to being a safety school, Hilbert College’s forensic science, technology, business, and criminal justice programs are well-known.
Niagara University
- Location: Lewiston, NY
- Number of applicants per year: 3,628
- Percent admitted: 92%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, a secondary school record
Located in Lewiston, New York, Niagara University is a private catholic school founded in the Vincentian tradition offering 50 academic majors. Although the college is a liberal arts institution, it also offers technical and pre-professional degrees. With an acceptance rate of 92 percent, the school currently has just over 3,500 students enrolled in its various programs.
Online Colleges Based in New York That Are Easy to Get Into
There are plenty of online colleges based in New York that are easy to get into. In fact, many of them have an open admissions policy. Online education can be a great way to get started on your higher education as it provides you with flexibility with your learning schedule.
The following are the easiest online colleges based in New York to get into:
- CUNY Graduate School and University Center. Located in New York City, the Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New York (CUNY Graduate Center) is a public research facility and post-graduate university with a 100 percent acceptance rate. It offers various online master’s and doctoral degree programs.
- Davis College. Davis College’s online school combines competency-based academic programs with a personalized, data-driven learning methodology to provide a distinctive blend of a liberal arts education with a practical and technical curriculum. It has a 100 percent acceptance rate.
- Long Island University. Long Island University, which has an acceptance rate of 93 percent, offers both blended and online learning programs. These programs represent a fundamental change in higher education from teacher-centered to student-centered learning by extending education outside the traditional classroom.
- Iona College. Iona College offers conventional lectures, mixed-mode courses, and online, distance learning programs. All meetings for conventional classes occur at their main location in New Rochelle, while its online, distance learning classes are taught exclusively online.
- Mount Saint Mary College. MSMC partners with the Council of Independent Colleges to provide online majors, minors, and courses to MSMC and non-MSMC students, helping enhance enrollment at all institutions, particularly in under-enrolled courses. The school has a 91 percent acceptance rate.
Should I Attend Community College in New York and Then Transfer to University?
Yes, you should attend a community college in New York and then transfer to a university. Community colleges are much easier to get into than most universities and allow you to transfer from an associate program to a bachelor’s program, saving you both time and money in the long run. There are plenty of excellent community colleges with high acceptance rates in New York.
Easiest Community Colleges to Get Into in New York
Community colleges are typically much easier to get into than four-year universities in New York. This is because community colleges have fewer admission requirements and a lower number of applicants to consider. Community colleges typically offer associate degree and certificate programs, with a select few offering bachelor’s programs.
New York Community Colleges That Are Easy to Get Into
- CUNY Kingsborough Community College
- Western Suffolk BOCES
- CUNY Queensborough Community College
- Herkimer County Community College
- SUNY Westchester Community College
Should I Attend a University in New York With a High Acceptance Rate?
Yes, you should attend a university in New York with a high acceptance rate, especially if you don’t have the best high school GPA. New York is a great state for students looking for open admission colleges, which have very few requirements to get into. There are also several community colleges in New York, meaning you can start your education at a cheaper price.
Easiest Colleges to Get Into in New York FAQ
A school with an open admissions policy is a school that accepts all applicants who meet the basic entry requirements such as having a high school diploma or GED. The easiest colleges to enter in New York are those with open admissions policies.
No, not all community colleges have an open admissions policy. While many in New York do, those with more specialized programs are often more selective. That being said, the admissions process for most community colleges is very simple.
Yes, schools with open admission policy are accredited. Accreditation is very important in choosing a school. Accreditation signifies that a school and its programs have been rigorously scrutinized by an external accrediting body, which determines whether or not the programs it offers meet a certain level of quality.
Yes, schools with open admission policy are considered public institutions and offer financial aid to students who need it. Having an open admission policy does not prevent a school from being a regular school. Scholarships and grants are the most common forms of financial aid.
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