10 Colleges in New York With High Acceptance Rates 2026

In a state like New York, home to Ivy League universities and schools like New York University, applying to college can be anxiety-inducing. The good news is, even though those schools accept less than 10% of applicants, there are plenty of schools in New York that accept nearly everyone.

High-acceptance-rate colleges still provide a good education, and can be a great opportunity for students who struggled in high school to get a degree. Keep reading to discover colleges in New York with high acceptance rates.

Are There Good Universities With High Acceptance Rates in New York?

While the East Coast is known for having some of the most rigorous, exclusive schools in the country, there are also many good East Coast colleges with high acceptance rates, including several in New York. Acceptance rate isn't necessarily an indicator of how good a university is, and multiple New York colleges with high acceptance rates still provide a strong education.

What Is Considered a High Acceptance Rate for Colleges in New York?

In general, a high acceptance rate is considered to be over 50%. That being said, there are nearly a dozen four-year institutions in New York state with an acceptance rate over 90%.

What Are the Easiest Colleges to Get Into in New York?

The easiest colleges to get into in New York are those with open admissions. Open admissions means that as long as you meet the minimum admissions requirements, usually a high school diploma or equivalent, you're accepted.

Community colleges are usually open admissions, but there are a few four-year institutions in New York that offer open admissions as well:

• Empire State University
• Excelsior University
• Touro University Worldwide

Outside of those, other high acceptance rate colleges in New York include:

• Hilbert College: 98% acceptance rate
• State University of New York at Canton: 96% acceptance rate
• Keuka University: 94% acceptance rate

Best Colleges in New York With the Highest Acceptance Rates

Schools with high acceptance rates are a great option for those who didn't do great in high school but don't want to spend time at a community college. We've highlighted some top universities in New York with high acceptance rates below.

1. Empire State University

Empire State University is a part of the public State University of New York (SUNY) system. It's located in Saratoga Springs, NY, and offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees primarily online.

These degrees are available in numerous fields, like business, healthcare, humanities, and technology. SUNY Empire has open admissions, and incoming freshmen only need a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED. Some programs have additional requirements.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $7,648 per year (in-state); $17,558 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Excelsior University

At Excelsior University, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Areas of study include business, health sciences, liberal arts, and technology.

Excelsior, a private, nonprofit online school, is based in Albany, NY. Its open admissions policy requires only a high school diploma, but some programs have additional requirements.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $510 per credit
• Accreditation: MSCHE

3. Touro University Worldwide

Touro University Worldwide offers associate through doctoral degrees primarily online. Touro University is a private Jewish school system headquartered in New York City, but its online campus is based in California.

Students can earn degrees in fields like business, behavioral sciences, healthcare, and human services. The Worldwide campus has open admissions for undergraduate students with a high school diploma or GED and a minimum 2.0 GPA.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $14,600 per year
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

4. Hilbert College

On-campus and online programs are available at Hilbert College at the associate, bachelor's, and doctoral degree levels. Areas of study include business, communications, criminal justice, and psychology.

Hilbert College, located in Hamburg, NY, is a private Catholic school. Students must have a high school diploma or GED, and can submit test scores if they'd like.

• Acceptance rate: 98%
• Estimated tuition cost: $33,740 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

5. State University of New York at Canton

The State University of New York at Canton is a public college in Canton, NY. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.

These programs are available in fields like animal sciences, business, criminal justice, and nursing. Admission requirements are primarily a high school diploma or GED, although some programs may have additional requirements.

• Acceptance rate: 96%
• Estimated tuition cost: $8,742 per year (in-state); $13,572 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: MSCHE

6. Keuka College

Students at Keuka College can earn bachelor's and master's degrees on-campus and online. Areas of study include business, education, health care, and social work.

Keuka College, a private, nonprofit school, is located in Keuka Park, NY. It requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with additional requirements for certain programs.

• Acceptance rate: 94%
• Estimated tuition cost: $39,332 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

7. Houghton University

Houghton University offers in-person and online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Houghton is a private Christian school in Houghton, NY.

Students can earn degrees in fields like business, education, psychology, and the arts. Applicants will need to submit a personal essay, but test scores are optional.

• Acceptance rate: 93%
• Estimated tuition cost: $18,430 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

8. Elmira College

Associate through master's degrees are available at Elmira College. Areas of study include business, education, healthcare, and social sciences.

Elmira College, located in Elmira, NY, is a private, nonprofit school. Applicants need to have a high school diploma, and can send in ACT/SAT scores and a letter of recommendation if they'd like.

• Acceptance rate: 91%
• Estimated tuition cost: $40,896 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

9. Iona University

Iona University is a private Catholic institution in New Rochelle, NY. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in fields like business, communications, healthcare, and psychology.

Students must submit their high school transcripts and a letter of recommendation for their application. Test scores are optional, as is an admissions interview.

• Acceptance rate: 91%
• Estimated tuition cost: $47,260 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

10. State University of New York at Morrisville

Through the State University of New York at Morrisville, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus or online. Areas of study include animal science, business, liberal arts, and trades.

SUNY Morrisville, a public university, is located in Morrisville, NY. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, and while test scores, letters of recommendations, and personal essays aren't required, they are recommended.

• Acceptance rate: 91%
• Estimated tuition cost: $8,825 per year (in-state); $19,245 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: MSCHE

Admissions Requirements for Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in New York

The New York State and NYC colleges with high acceptance rates listed above all have one key admissions requirement in common: all require a high school diploma or equivalent (high school seniors must send their current transcripts).

Most do not require ACT/SAT test scores, but allow students to submit them. Additionally, most do not require letters of recommendation or personal essays.

FAQs About Colleges in New York With High Acceptance Rates

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about colleges in New York with high acceptance rates to help you find a program that works for you.

Are There Open Admissions Colleges in New York?

Most community colleges in New York have open admissions; this is a great option especially if you're looking for colleges in New York City with high acceptance rates.

Outside of community colleges, there are a few institutions with open admissions: SUNY Empire, Excelsior University, and Touro University Worldwide.

What College Has a 100% Acceptance Rate in New York?

Outside of open admissions colleges, no four-year school in New York has a 100% acceptance rate. The closest is Hilbert College, with a 98% acceptance rate.

What Is the #1 Rated College in NY?

The school that is the top-rated college in New York depends on who you ask. Columbia University and Cornell University are usually listed at number one and two, but the order depends on who's doing the ranking. Of non-Ivy League schools, New York University is typically number one.

What College in NYC Has the Highest Acceptance Rate?

When it comes to colleges in NYC with high acceptance rates, you'll find a few open enrollment options. The first is the community colleges in the City University of New York (CUNY) system.

The second is Touro University Worldwide. However, if you want to attend Touro in person, the on-campus acceptance rate for the NYC campus is 63%.

Otherwise, CUNY Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn has an acceptance rate of 83%, while the New York City College of Technology, another CUNY school, has an acceptance rate of 81%.

Explore Colleges in New York

Find the perfect New York college for you by exploring the high-acceptance admissions programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.