Best STEM Colleges in New York

New York state is home to some of the top colleges and universities in the country, many of which offer STEM programs. Thanks to a new state scholarship program, New York is also home to several STEM colleges with financial aid programs.

Both public and private institutions in New York offer high-quality STEM degrees. Keep reading to discover the best STEM colleges in New York.

Top STEM Colleges in New York

New York is home to some of the best colleges and universities in the country, many of which offer STEM degrees. We've highlighted 15 top STEM colleges in New York state below.

1. Columbia University

Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City. The university has a history of STEM discoveries, and it still conducts much STEM research, especially in the health sciences.

Some of the STEM majors offered to students at Columbia University include:

• biomedical engineering
• computer science
• earth science
• mechanical engineering

2. New York University (NYU)

New York University is a private research university in New York City. It pursues several STEM research projects, with a high amount of research going into medicine and computer science.

Undergraduates and graduates earn degrees in many fields of STEM at NYU, including:

• chemical engineering
• computer engineering
• molecular and cell biology
• psychology

3. Cornell University

Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university based in Ithaca, New York. It's a prominent leader in STEM research, particularly in fields like space exploration, automotive safety, and computing technology.

STEM majors at Cornell University include:

• atmospheric science
• computer science
• fiber science
• mechanical engineering

4. The City University of New York (CUNY)

The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City. It's made up of 25 colleges, universities, and community colleges.

Associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs are available in various STEM fields through the CUNY system, including:

• earth and atmospheric sciences
• electrical engineering
• information technology
• public health

Students attending public institutions in New York, including CUNY schools, may qualify for free tuition under the state's Excelsior Scholarship. Through CUNY, students can earn free STEM degrees online and on campus.

5. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

The Rochester Institute of Technology is a private research university in Rochester, New York. Most of its research is in STEM, including imaging science, cyberinfrastructure, and energy sustainability.

Students at RIT earn degrees in STEM fields such as:

• biomedical engineering
• computer science
• environmental sustainability
• neuroscience

6. University at Buffalo

The State University of New York at Buffalo is a public research university. It's home to the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences and the Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics.

Multiple STEM fields are taught at the University of Buffalo, including:

• aerospace engineering
• bioinformatics and computational biology
• information technology and management
• material science and engineering

7. University of Rochester

The University of Rochester is a private research university. Some of its best-known STEM research has been in nuclear fusion and biomedical engineering.

STEM degrees at the University of Rochester include:

• biomedical engineering
• clinical and transitional sciences
• optical engineering
• physics and astronomy

8. Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University is a public research university on Long Island. It runs both a medical and a dental school, where most of its research is conducted.

The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in STEM fields such as:

• astronomy/planetary sciences
• health science
• human evolutionary biology
• mechanical engineering

As Stony Brook is public, students may qualify for free tuition under the Excelsior Scholarship.

9. Fordham University

Fordham University is a private Catholic research university in New York City. Its research facilities include a 114-acre biological field station called the Louis Calder Center and the William Spain Seismic Observatory.

Bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees are offered in STEM areas like:

• environmental science
• integrative neuroscience
• math and computer and information sciences
• psychology

10. Pace University

Pace University is a private university with three campuses across the state. Its primary campus is in New York City, and two others are in Westchester.

STEM majors offered at Pace University include:

• biochemistry
• ecology
• information technology
• statistics

11. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

SUNY (State University of New York) Polytechnic Institute is a public university that is organized into four colleges. One of those four is a school of engineering.

Undergrad and grad majors in STEM include:

• biology
• civil engineering
• computer science
• mechanical engineering

SUNY Poly also offers a handful of STEM programs online. As it's a public university, it's a great option to find affordable online STEM degrees.

12. Manhattan University

Manhattan University is a private, Catholic university in New York City. It enrolls a lot of engineering students through its school of engineering.

The university offers STEM degrees in multiple fields, including:

• biochemistry
• electrical engineering
• mechanical engineering
• public health

13. New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

The New York Institute of Technology is a private research university in New York City. It's known for conducting research into various STEM fields, including alternative energies, bioengineering, and robotics.

Students at New York Tech can major in STEM areas like:

• biomedical studies
• energy management
• information technology
• life sciences

14. Hofstra University

Hofstra University is a private university in Hempstead, New York. It includes a medical school, a school of engineering, and a school of natural sciences and mathematics, among others.

The university offers STEM degrees in fields such as:

• biomedical engineering
• computer science
• geology
• neuroscience

15. Hamilton College

Hamilton College is a private liberal arts college in Clinton, New York. It only provides higher education for undergraduate students and does not include a graduate school.

Bachelor's degrees are available in STEM areas like:

• astronomy
• chemical physics
• environmental studies
• mathematics and statistics

FAQs About STEM Colleges in New York

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about STEM colleges in New York.

Which SUNY Is Best for STEM?

Multiple SUNY schools are excellent for STEM, especially Stony Brook University, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and the University at Buffalo. Which one is best depends primarily on what field of STEM you're studying and what you're looking for in a program.

What Is the Best Computer Science School in New York?

According to the U.S. News and World Report rankings of best computer science schools, the best computer science school in New York State is Cornell University, followed by Columbia University and NYU.

Is NYU Better for STEM Majors than Columbia University?

In general, Columbia University is ranked higher than NYU on the U.S. News and World Report for STEM fields like biology, computer science, and engineering, though NYU ranks higher in math. That being said, both are excellent schools that provide a challenging and robust education for STEM majors.