Colleges where the most freshmen return in New York
Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Colleges where the most freshmen return in New York80 schools
80 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Schools in New York.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
New York School of Interior Design
New York, NY · Private nonprofitTop 22% for graduation
- 100% of freshmen return
- 69% graduate
- 2
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#2 in New York
- 98% of freshmen return
- 95% graduate
- 3
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor RollTop 2% for graduation
- 98% of freshmen return
- 96% graduate
- 4
The Juilliard School
New York, NY · Private nonprofitTop 3% for graduation
- 98% of freshmen return
- 93% graduate
- 5
Barnard College
New York, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- 97% of freshmen return
- 93% graduate
- 6
New York University
New York, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 96% of freshmen return
- 88% graduate
- 7
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 95% of freshmen return
- 91% graduate
- 8
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- 95% of freshmen return
- 91% graduate
- 9
United States Military Academy
West Point, NY · PublicHonor Roll#1 in New York
- 95% of freshmen return
- 87% graduate
- 10
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- 93% of freshmen return
- 91% graduate
- 11
Manhattan School of Music
New York, NY · Private nonprofitTop 12% for graduation
- 93% of freshmen return
- 78% graduate
- 12
Webb Institute
Glen Cove, NY · Private nonprofitExceptional: Compass grade A+
- 93% of freshmen return
- 88% graduate
- 13
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
New York, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 92% of freshmen return
- 81% graduate
- 14
Yeshiva University
New York, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 92% of freshmen return
- 83% graduate
- 15
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- 91% of freshmen return
- 79% graduate
- 16
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 2% for earnings
- 91% of freshmen return
- 84% graduate
- 17
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY · PublicTop 10% for graduation
- 91% of freshmen return
- 81% graduate
- 18
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 91% of freshmen return
- 85% graduate
- 19
Union College
Schenectady, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 5% for earnings
- 90% of freshmen return
- 80% graduate
- 20
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 8% for earnings
- 90% of freshmen return
- 84% graduate
- 21
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 90% of freshmen return
- 76% graduate
- 22
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 90% of freshmen return
- 83% graduate
- 23
Binghamton University
Vestal, NY · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 89% of freshmen return
- 82% graduate
- 24
Touro University
New York, NY · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- 89% of freshmen return
- 72% graduate
- 25
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY · Private nonprofitTop 10% for earnings
- 89% of freshmen return
- 70% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York School of Interior Design | $45,271 | — | $48,041 | 69% |
| Cornell University | $28,690 | $14,000 | $104,043 | 95% |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | $21,590 | $21,500 | $102,491 | 96% |
| The Juilliard School | $43,571 | $25,500 | $37,827 | 93% |
| Barnard College | $28,800 | $18,000 | $80,516 | 93% |
| New York University | $37,050 | $20,500 | $82,509 | 88% |
| Vassar College | $39,343 | $18,625 | $71,366 | 91% |
| Hamilton College | $28,985 | $17,000 | $78,411 | 91% |
| United States Military Academy | — | — | — | 87% |
| Colgate University | $28,786 | $15,000 | $85,139 | 91% |
| Manhattan School of Music | $51,754 | $26,994 | $26,878 | 78% |
| Webb Institute | $73,043 | — | — | 88% |
| The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | $13,269 | $15,000 | $83,847 | 81% |
| Yeshiva University | $49,965 | $18,250 | $71,353 | 83% |
| St. Lawrence University | $28,651 | $27,000 | $67,258 | 79% |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $36,228 | $23,750 | $102,051 | 84% |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | $19,095 | $12,000 | $62,696 | 81% |
| University of Rochester | $29,278 | $21,000 | $79,042 | 85% |
| Union College | $34,561 | $25,337 | $88,604 | 80% |
| Syracuse University | $38,793 | $26,000 | $79,164 | 84% |
| Stony Brook University | $18,784 | $18,228 | $74,502 | 76% |
| Skidmore College | $32,297 | $19,500 | $69,363 | 83% |
| Binghamton University | $21,620 | $18,500 | $80,596 | 82% |
| Touro University | $29,627 | $15,547 | $53,419 | 72% |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | $34,906 | $26,778 | $76,571 | 70% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 15
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 8
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 31
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 62
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15