New York has hundreds of public and private colleges. This guide explains what “high acceptance rate” and “open-admission” mean, and lists New York schools that fit those definitions in 2025 with current tuition where available. We verify each program while referencing federal and/or school sources.
Some New York institutions follow an open-admissions policy, meaning that they admit all (or nearly all) of the applicants who hold a high school diploma or GED. The federal IPEDS system classifies these open-admissions schools separately from selective colleges.
What Are the Easiest Colleges to Get Into in New York?
In 2025, examples of New York colleges that are comparatively easier to enter include:
- CUNY College of Staten Island is a public college located in New York City with a 92% acceptance rate
- Niagara University is a private institution in Niagara, NY that has a 85% acceptance
- Open-admission CUNY community colleges — e.g., Queensborough Community College accepts all high school diploma and GED holders. This is one of the ‘open admissions’ universities.
Important: Acceptance rate is not a proxy for academic rigor or outcomes, rather it reflects application volume and mission. Additionally, acceptance rates will fluctuate by year and program, so make sure that you always confirm the most recent acceptance rates on your prospective institution’s website.
Colleges in New York With Open Admissions
Open admission means the college admits all (or nearly all) of the applicants who hold a high school diploma or GED; per IPEDS, these institutions are reported differently in federal data.
Confirmed open-admission examples in New York include:
- CUNY Queensborough Community College — operates under CUNY’s open-admissions policy
- CUNY community colleges generally (e.g., Kingsborough)
- Boricua College — open-admissions mission, with placement testing and interviews for some programs
How to verify: Search the campus admissions page → look for “Open Admission” or application requirements.
Note: IPEDS does not calculate traditional acceptance rates for open-admission colleges.
Are There Good Universities With High Acceptance Rates in New York?
Yes, New York has several colleges with high acceptance rates (e.g., CUNY College of Staten Island with a 92% acceptance rate and Niagara University with an 85% acceptance rate) and multiple open-admission community colleges .
Examples include CUNY Queensborough Community College and Boricua College, which admit a large share of applicants while offering broad sets of majors.
Common Admissions Requirements for Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in New York
Requirements vary by school and program, but typically include:
- Application fee (usually $50–$100; some waivers available)
- High school diploma or GED (standard for CUNY community colleges like QCC )
- Test-optional where stated
- Program-specific add-ons (portfolio for arts, GPA thresholds for nursing, etc.)
Letters of recommendation and essays are often optional at community colleges and some public universities, but required for specific majors, honors programs, or scholarships.
How to quickly check requirements:
- Search [School name] admissions requirements on the official site.
- For CUNY schools, start on the campus page (e.g., CSI or QCC) for the most up-to-date details .
The Best Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in New York
| School | Approximate Acceptance Rate |
| CUNY College of Staten Island | 92% |
| Niagara University | 85% |
| Empire State University (SUNY) | 64% |
| SUNY Purchase College | 73% |
| St. Joseph’s University (New York) | 71% |
Easiest Colleges to Get Into in New York: A Closer Look
Despite their high acceptance rates, these accessible New York institutions also offer diverse and purposeful academic programs. If you meet their admission requirements, you’re likely to be accepted—and here’s what each school brings to the table in 2025:
CUNY College of Staten Island (CSI)
- Overview: A college within the CUNY system offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and select doctoral programs in partnership with the CUNY Graduate Center. Programs span liberal arts, sciences, and professional fields.
- Academic Opportunities: Offers undergrad research and doctoral study support; traditionally known for bridging associate’s and advanced degrees.
- Why it stands out: As a major public institution, CSI combines broad access with substantial academic pathways, especially in professional and research disciplines.
Niagara University
- Overview: A private, Vincentian Catholic university offering over 85 undergraduate and 30 graduate programs across liberal arts, business, health sciences, education, and more.
- Academic Highlight: Niagara University offers flexible formats, including evening, weekend, and online courses, with an emphasis on individualized learning and hands-on instruction.
- Why it stands out: The university combines a high acceptance rate with diverse program offerings and adaptive formats that fit various learner needs.
Empire State University (SUNY Empire)
- Overview: Fully online SUNY institution offering undergraduate degrees, advanced certificates, and a wide array of master’s programs, covering areas such as cybersecurity, public administration, nursing, and business analytics.
- Innovation & Accessibility: Led by President Lisa Vollendorf, the university has driven 8–10% annual enrollment growth through student success investments and wraparound support initiatives.
- Why it stands out: Combines broad program access with strong online infrastructure and student success strategies.
SUNY Purchase College
- Overview: SUNY Purchase (also known as Purchase College) is a public liberal arts college within the State University of New York system. It maintains a moderate acceptance rate (~573%), which is more accessible than many selective institutions, but less open than fully open-admission schools. This makes it a feasible option for students aiming for arts and liberal studies programs.
- Academic Highlights: Offers notable programs in arts, liberal arts, sciences, and continuing education, including esteemed schools in Visual and Performing Arts, Social Sciences, and Communication.
- Why it stands out: While rates are not fully open, SUNY Purchase strikes a strong balance between accessibility and high-quality arts education, with a low student-to-faculty ratio (~12:1) and robust financial aid participation.
St. Joseph’s University (New York)
- Overview: A private Catholic university with campuses in Brooklyn and Long Island, St. Joseph’s University (formerly St. Joseph’s College) admitted approximately 71% of applicants (2020 data). It offers accessible entry compared to more competitive private institutions.
- Academic Highlights: Delivers over 50 undergraduate majors, pre-professional and professional programs through its School of Arts and Sciences and School of Professional and Graduate Studies. Also offers 21 graduate programs.
- Why it stands out: Combines a relatively high admission rate with a diverse academic catalog, especially beneficial for students seeking private university environments without extremely competitive entry benchmarks.
Online Colleges Based in New York That Are Easy to Get Into
Online learning offers significant flexibility, especially valuable for adult learners, working students, and those outside New York. Here are some of the most accessible fully or primarily online institutions based in New York:
Empire State University (SUNY Empire)
- Admission Access: Open‑admission policies for many programs, making it one of the easiest online colleges to enter in New York.
- Programs Offered: Fully online associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees—spanning fields like cybersecurity, business analytics, nursing, and public administration.
Long Island University (LIU) – Online/Blended Programs
- Admission Access: Acceptance rate at 93%.
- Program Options: Offers a mix of blended and fully online learning formats. Online programs follow the same broad admissions model as on-campus.
Iona University – Online/Distance Learning
- Admission Access: Acceptance rate at 91%.
- Online Offerings: Provides a range of online and hybrid course options, though mostly based in-person at New Rochelle campus.
Mount Saint Mary College – Online Components
- Admission Access: Acceptance rate of 72%.
- Online Offerings: Offers some online courses and degree completion options, but primarily serves as a traditional on-campus college; not known for broad online access.
Should I Attend Community College in New York and Then Transfer to a University?
Attending community college first is often a wise, cost-effective path, especially in New York. If you plan to earn a bachelor’s degree, success requires strategic planning to overcome common transfer hurdles.
Easiest Community Colleges to Get Into in New York
Community colleges in New York typically follow open‑admissions policies, meaning anyone with a high school diploma or GED can enroll. These institutions usually have minimal admission barriers, offer associate degree and certificate programs, and in some cases provide a pathway to bachelor’s degrees.
- CUNY Kingsborough Community College (Brooklyn)
- CUNY Queensborough Community College (QCC)
- Western Suffolk BOCES (Wilson Tech, Northport)
- Herkimer County Community College
- SUNY Westchester Community College
Should I Attend a University in New York With a High Acceptance Rate?
Yes, attending a New York university with a high acceptance rate can be a smart move if your high school GPA or test scores are underwhelming, especially when you combine it with transfer or financial planning strategies.
Easiest Colleges to Get Into in New York — FAQ
Answer: Open admissions (or open enrollment) means a college accepts all applicants who present a high school diploma or GED, without considering test scores or other selective measures. It’s common among U.S. community colleges.
Not all do, but many in New York do. You can check your specific admission requirement on your prospective college’s website.
Yes. Many open-admission colleges, including those in the SUNY and CUNY systems, are regionally accredited. Accreditation ensures the institution meets nationally recognized academic and administrative quality standards.
Yes, they do. Public New York schools, including SUNY and CUNY community colleges, accept federal and state financial aid. These supports help reduce or eliminate tuition costs.
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