Top NY colleges and universities ranked by U.S. News. Where do Rochester schools rank?

Victoria E. Freile, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·3 min read

The University of Rochester is among the top national universities in the nation and among the top five in the Empire state, according to the latest ranking from U.S. News & World Report.

The university rates 47th among national universities and No. 30 on the list of Best Value Schools. It was also ranked 74th for the best undergraduate engineering programs, 23rd for nursing and 26th for economics.

In the latest annual report, Princeton University was again named No. 1 among national universities, and Williams College was named No. 1 among national liberal arts schools, a title the college has held for more than two straight decades.

Cornell University in Ithaca and Columbia University in New York City were the top-ranking universities in New York, tying for 12th place nationally. Cornell was also 20th among Best Value Schools, according to the report.

Every year the news outlet publishes what many regard as the gold standard for college rankings in the United States. In 2023, the outlet looked at 1,500 colleges and universities focusing on academic quality and measures such as graduation rates, retention rates and social mobility.

Syracuse University ranked No. 67 and the Rochester Institute of Technology in Henrietta ranked No. 98 on the list of National Universities. St. John Fisher College ranked No. 185 in the National Universities category.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva ranked No. 70 in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category

Best universities in New York

  • Cornell University in Ithaca and Columbia University in New York City - national ranking No. 12 (tie)

  • New York University in New York City - national ranking No. 35

  • University of Rochester in Rochester - national ranking No. 47

  • Stony Brook University (SUNY) in Stony Brook - national ranking No. 5

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy - national ranking No. 60

  • Syracuse University in Syracuse - national ranking No. 67

  • Binghamton University (SUNY) in Binghamton - national ranking No. 73

  • University at Buffalo (SUNY) in Buffalo - national ranking No. 76 (tie)

  • Fordham University in New York City - national ranking No. 89

  • Rochester Institute of Technology in Henrietta - national ranking No. 98 (tie)

Best universities in Rochester NY

University of Rochester

Located within city limits and nestled on the 700-acre River campus along the Genesee River, the university is known among the nation's top research universities and also encompasses the Eastman School of Music. Founded in 1850, the university has approximately 6,670 undergraduate students. Annual tuition is around $64,384. In the report, the University of Rochester is also ranked 30th among best value schools.

Rochester Institute of Technology

Founded in 1829 in Rochester, the university has a 1,300-acre campus in Henrietta with roughly 14,000 undergraduate students. Annual tuition is approximately $57,516. In the report, RIT is also ranked 42th among best value schools and ranked 53rd in the best undergraduate engineering program category.

St. John Fisher University

St. John Fisher University has a 164-acre campus is located on East Avenue in Pittsford with nearly 2,630 undergraduate students. Annual tuition is around $39,666. In the report, St. John Fisher is ranked 185th among national universities and 43rd among best value schools.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York

  • United States Military Academy at West Point - national ranking No. 8

  • Barnard College in New York City - national ranking No. 11 (tie)

  • Hamilton College in Clinton - national ranking No. 16 (tie)

  • Vassar College in Poughkeepsie - national ranking No. 16 (tie)

  • Colgate University in Hamilton - national ranking No. 21 (tie)

  • Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs - national ranking No. 38

  • Union College in Schenectady - national ranking No. 45

  • St. Lawrence University in Canton - national ranking No. 59

  • Bard College in Annandale on Hudson - No. 63 (tie)

  • Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva - national ranking No. 70

Best colleges in Rochester NY area

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Founded in 1822, Hobart and William Smith Colleges are located a 170-acre campus at the northern end of Seneca Lake in Geneva, Ontario County, and has nearly 1,560 undergraduate students. Annual tuition is around $63,268. In the report, Hobart and William Smith Colleges are also ranked 81st among best value schools.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Top NY colleges and universities ranked by U.S. News & World Report