20 Best Christian Colleges In New York To Elevate Your Education

New York State is home to a diverse selection of universities with Christian affiliations that provide different degree programs. These institutions cater to various denominations and prioritize integrating faith with education [1], fostering an environment that supports students’ spiritual growth while pursuing their academic goals.

The best Christian colleges in New York are primarily four-year institutions that are dispersed throughout the state’s many cities. Due to their diversified undergraduate and graduate degree programs, special learning opportunities, and other distinctive characteristics, several Christian institutions in New York could be regarded as the finest.

20 Best Christian Colleges In New York

These are the top Christian colleges and universities in New York, including institutions directly linked with Christian churches, faiths, or other Christian organizations, for Christian high school graduates and college-bound students looking for colleges that align with their Christian faith and demonstrate academic excellence.

1. Alliance University

Alliance University, formerly called Nyack College, is connected with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. It provides students with undergraduate degree programs in fields like psychology, biology, English, pastoral ministry, social work, music, and nursing. Their graduate degree programs include mental health counseling, Biblical studies, organizational leadership, education, theology, and missions.

2. Canisius College

Canisius College, located in Buffalo, New York, is a private Jesuit university. It was established in 1870 and given the name St. Peter Canisius by German Jesuits. Approximately 34 master’s and certificate programs are available at Canisius, in addition to more than a hundred undergraduate majors and minors.

3. College Of Mount Saint Vincent

The College of Mount Saint Vincent is a small, private Catholic institution located in New York City. It was established in 1847 by the New York Sisters of Charity. Over 1,800 students are enrolled in the college’s undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, communication, nursing, and education.

4. Columbia University

While the university itself is currently non-denominational, it has the distinction of being founded by religious leaders from the Church of England who persuaded the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts that New York was an ideal place to set up a college. Nowadays, Columbia graduates go on to become esteemed members of their chosen industries, including law, politics, and information technology.

5. Fordham University

The Jesuits established Fordham University in 1841. Its historical ties to the Catholic Church persist. It provides more than 50 different majors at Fordham. Business administration and management, economics and finance, political science and government, and psychology are among Fordham’s most well-attended departments.

6. Hilbert College

Hamburg, New York, is home to Hilbert College, a private Franciscan institution. Mother Colette Hilbert, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Joseph, established the institution in 1957 with the goal of educating future educators. About 800 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at Hilbert College.

7. Houghton College

Willard J. Houghton established the Wesleyan community of Houghton in 1883. In 2021, the NCES reported that there were 863 first-year students enrolled at Houghton. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in fields including applied physics, music, psychology, literature, human resources management, and equestrian studies.

8. Iona University

New Rochelle, New York, is home to Iona University, a private Roman Catholic institution. The Congregation of Christian Brothers established it in 1940, and today it has campuses in both New Rochelle and Bronxville, New York. Mathematics, literature, psychology, computer science, and physics are all strong areas of study at Iona University.

9. Le Moyne College

Le Moyne College, located in DeWitt, New York, is a private institution with a Jesuit affiliation. Founded in 1946, the Society of Jesus based its name on the Jesuit missionary Simon Le Moyne. Notably, it is the first Jesuit institution in the United States to admit both men and women.

10. Manhattan College

Affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, Manhattan College is a small, private liberal arts college in the Bronx of New York City. It was founded in 1853 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools as a day academy, and the New York State Board of Regents later awarded it a charter to become an official institution of higher learning.

11. Mount Saint Mary College

Newburgh, New York, is home to Mount Saint Mary College, a private Catholic institution. Dominican nuns began the organization in 1959. Located midway between New York City and Albany, the campus has stunning views of the Hudson River. There are more than 50 undergraduate majors and three graduate degree majors, with approximately 2,700 students enrolled.

12. Molloy University

Molloy University in Rockville Centre, New York, is a private Roman Catholic institution of higher education. There are about 5,000 undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students enrolled in its various degree programs.

13. Niagara University

Niagara University, located in Lewiston, in New York’s Niagara County, is a private, Vincentian-inspired Catholic institution. It is governed by the Congregation of the Mission and is home to 3,300 undergraduates enrolled in one of its 50 majors.

14. Roberts Wesleyan College

There are over 50 distinct student groups for Roberts Wesleyan College students to join, and the campus’ website boasts that all students get financial help of some kind. More than 60 undergraduate majors and programs are available, including those in fields like social work, criminal justice, pre-health, communication, and ministry. In addition, the institution provides 11 online degree programs and 16 graduate programs.

15. Siena College

Loudonville, New York, is home to Siena College, a private Franciscan institution. In 1937, the Order of Friars Minor established Siena. The friary of St. Bernardine of Siena sits on campus. There are 3,000 undergraduates studying for degrees in liberal arts, business, and sciences at the college.

16. St. Bonaventure University

St. Bonaventure University is a private Franciscan institution in New York. There are 2,381 students enrolled in various levels of study here. In 1858, the institution was founded by the Franciscan Brothers.

17. St. John’s University

Queens, New York, is home to St. John’s University, a private Roman Catholic institution of higher education. It was established in 1870 by the Congregation of the Mission to meet the need for Catholic university education among New York City’s children. The main campus, which now resides in Queens, New York City, was originally established in the borough of Brooklyn.

18. The King’s College

The King’s College offers programs in finance, English, journalism, media, philosophy, economics, and business management. Campus spiritual life comprises weekly worship services, retreats, mission trips, civic participation, public scripture reading, and a unique communal housing system.

19. Villa Maria College

Villa Maria College in Buffalo, New York, is private and Roman Catholic. It was established by the Felician Sisters in 1960. As an associate of the Catholic University of America, the college first trained education apostolate sisters as teachers. Religious women received a temporary license from the Board of Regents of the State of New York in 1961 to award Associate in Arts and Associate in Applied Science degrees.

20. Wagner College

Wagner College’s Wagner Plan for Practical Liberal Arts uses learning communities and provides research, service learning, and internship opportunities. Biopsychology, information systems, microbiology, sociology, and cinema and media studies are among the undergraduate and graduate degree programs available.

Conclusion

There are several reputable Christian colleges in New York that provide online programs, courses, and financial aid to cater to the needs of students with various commitments and challenges. There’s a college for you regardless of your financial standing.

If you are serious about discovering the top colleges and universities to earn a bachelor’s degree, you should inquire as to which institutions are home to the most prominent professors. You should also consider whether or not the alumni of such institutions are furthering the school’s reputation for academic achievement in various expert areas.