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One of the most famous cities in the world and a global capital of culture and business, New York City is also an important hub of higher education. There are over half a million students in NYC, and more than 100 universities and colleges.
Between them, these two universities have produced a galaxy of famous alumni, from politicians (Barack Obama), business magnates (Warren Buffet) and writers (Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac), to musicians (Lauren Hill), film directors (Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen) and fashion designers (Tom Ford).
Feel like following in their footsteps? Let’s take a closer look at each university’s strengths.
Choosing between the two top universities in New York City
Columbia University, traditionally seen as the academic big shot of the two, is part of the Ivy League group – America’s most historically prestigious and selective institutions. However, far from living in its rival’s shadow, NYU has an identity and appeal all of its own.
Based in New York’s trendy downtown, and with buildings throughout the city, NYU is a world-class university and boasts one of the world’s most dynamic environments for arts, music and culture. Whereas Columbia offers the relative seclusion of an Ivy League campus experience, NYU places students in the heart of the city. Based in arty Greenwich Village, with no walls or gates, the university is, as it proudly states, “in and of the city”.
As you might expect from world-renowned institutions in such a desirable location, admission to either institution is extremely competitive. Few students will be lucky enough to receive an offer from either, let alone both, but if you have good grades and are looking for the most exciting study experience the US has to offer, chances are at least one of these two top universities in New York City will be on your shortlist.
Subject strengths
Another factor to consider when assessing these two universities is their performance in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject. A quick glance shows that both top universities in New York are strong performers in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
As the table below shows, there are some social sciences where there is little to choose between the two universities. In other cases, one or the other has a clear lead
Columbia University
New York University (NYU)
Accounting and Finance
=12
11
Agriculture and Forestry
--
201-250
Anatomy and Physiology
8
34
Anthropology
19
=13
Archaeology
51-100
101-150
Architecture and Built Environment
16
51-100
Art and Design
48
=22
Art History
17
21-50
Arts and Humanities
12
9
Biological Sciences
17
=35
Business and Management Studies
20
=17
Chemistry
40
=187
Classics and Ancient History
47
51-150
Communication and Media Studies
9
13
Computer Science and Information Systems
=27
17
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
--
=13
Dentistry
37
=23
Development Studies
14
51-100
Earth and Marine Sciences
9
--
Economics and Econometrics
11
15
Education and Training
11
=46
Engineering - Chemical
=49
151-200
Engineering - Civil and Structural
41
151-200
Engineering - Electrical and Electronic
43
=84
Engineering - Mechanical
=95
151-200
Engineering - Mineral and Mining
--
--
Engineering - Petroleum
--
--
Engineering and Technology
=50
=124
English Language and Literature
9
14
Environmental Sciences
=18
201-250
Geography
--
=41
Geology
=9
--
Geophysics
7
--
History
=9
23
Hospitality and Leisure Management
--
101-150
Law and Legal Studies
8
9
Library and Information Management
--
51-100
Life Sciences and Medicine
23
50
Linguistics
=74
48
Marketing
11
15
Materials Sciences
=82
251-300
Mathematics
21
15
Medicine
17
35
Modern Languages
11
20
Music
--
16
Natural Sciences
=27
130
Nursing
11
15
Performing Arts
36
7
Pharmacy and Pharmacology
=34
101-150
Philosophy
21
1
Physics and Astronomy
22
91
Politics
=12
37
Psychology
7
=14
Social Policy and Administration
14
=44
Social Sciences and Management
11
17
Sociology
=12
16
Sports-Related Subjects
=18
51-100
Statistics and Operational Research
15
=41
Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies
19
101-150
Veterinary Science
--
--
Location
Columbia offers what might be described as a classic Ivy League campus experience: think stately quadrangles, neoclassical columns and immaculately maintained lawns.
However, unlike other Ivy League institutions such as Princeton or Yale, Columbia is an island of calm in the middle of a bustling metropolis. It may be at the upper western tip of Manhattan, but it’s well within striking distance of all the action.
Nearby Harlem is one of the city’s most culturally diverse and dynamic neighbourhoods Also in close proximity are Central Park and the Hudson River, offering some picturesque respite from New York’s famous urban jungle.
While for many students Columbia will offer the perfect combination of scholarly seclusion and proximity to the action, NYU offers a more immersive urban experience. With locations dotted around the city, the university’s main base is Greenwich Village, an area famous for its arty scene, and in the middle of New York’s cultural and social heart.
NYU’s central Washington Square location has no walls or gates separating it from the surrounding streets, which are filled with restaurants, bars and cafés. Studying here means you can expect to be at the centre of one of the most culturally dynamic areas in the world.
New York itself is consistently ranked highly in the QS Best Student Cities ranking, including for the student view indicator, which is based on a survey asking students to rate their city on aspects such as affordability, ease of getting around, employment opportunities, arts and culture and more.
Student community
NYU has a significantly larger overall student population than Columbia, particularly when professional courses are included.
However, both are at the larger end of the scale, offering large and diverse student communities – with Columbia offering a more diverse student body compared to NYU.
As befits its research-intensive status, Columbia is more heavily geared toward graduate studies, with graduates outnumbering undergraduates by two to one. NYU, by contrast, has more than three times the undergraduate population of Columbia, with a higher proportion of undergraduates than graduate students.
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Top universities in New York City: Columbia or NYU?
Laura Bridgestock
Updated Apr 03, 2025Save
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One of the most famous cities in the world and a global capital of culture and business, New York City is also an important hub of higher education. There are over half a million students in NYC, and more than 100 universities and colleges.
From this vast array of options, two universities in New York stand out from the crowd: Columbia University and New York University (NYU). These two universities in New York City are among the most reputable in the city and score highly across several subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Between them, these two universities have produced a galaxy of famous alumni, from politicians (Barack Obama), business magnates (Warren Buffet) and writers (Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac), to musicians (Lauren Hill), film directors (Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen) and fashion designers (Tom Ford).
Feel like following in their footsteps? Let’s take a closer look at each university’s strengths.
Choosing between the two top universities in New York City
Columbia University, traditionally seen as the academic big shot of the two, is part of the Ivy League group – America’s most historically prestigious and selective institutions. However, far from living in its rival’s shadow, NYU has an identity and appeal all of its own.
Based in New York’s trendy downtown, and with buildings throughout the city, NYU is a world-class university and boasts one of the world’s most dynamic environments for arts, music and culture. Whereas Columbia offers the relative seclusion of an Ivy League campus experience, NYU places students in the heart of the city. Based in arty Greenwich Village, with no walls or gates, the university is, as it proudly states, “in and of the city”.
As you might expect from world-renowned institutions in such a desirable location, admission to either institution is extremely competitive. Few students will be lucky enough to receive an offer from either, let alone both, but if you have good grades and are looking for the most exciting study experience the US has to offer, chances are at least one of these two top universities in New York City will be on your shortlist.
Subject strengths
Another factor to consider when assessing these two universities is their performance in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject. A quick glance shows that both top universities in New York are strong performers in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
As the table below shows, there are some social sciences where there is little to choose between the two universities. In other cases, one or the other has a clear lead
Location
Columbia offers what might be described as a classic Ivy League campus experience: think stately quadrangles, neoclassical columns and immaculately maintained lawns.
However, unlike other Ivy League institutions such as Princeton or Yale, Columbia is an island of calm in the middle of a bustling metropolis. It may be at the upper western tip of Manhattan, but it’s well within striking distance of all the action.
Nearby Harlem is one of the city’s most culturally diverse and dynamic neighbourhoods Also in close proximity are Central Park and the Hudson River, offering some picturesque respite from New York’s famous urban jungle.
While for many students Columbia will offer the perfect combination of scholarly seclusion and proximity to the action, NYU offers a more immersive urban experience. With locations dotted around the city, the university’s main base is Greenwich Village, an area famous for its arty scene, and in the middle of New York’s cultural and social heart.
NYU’s central Washington Square location has no walls or gates separating it from the surrounding streets, which are filled with restaurants, bars and cafés. Studying here means you can expect to be at the centre of one of the most culturally dynamic areas in the world.
New York itself is consistently ranked highly in the QS Best Student Cities ranking, including for the student view indicator, which is based on a survey asking students to rate their city on aspects such as affordability, ease of getting around, employment opportunities, arts and culture and more.
Student community
NYU has a significantly larger overall student population than Columbia, particularly when professional courses are included.
However, both are at the larger end of the scale, offering large and diverse student communities – with Columbia offering a more diverse student body compared to NYU.
As befits its research-intensive status, Columbia is more heavily geared toward graduate studies, with graduates outnumbering undergraduates by two to one. NYU, by contrast, has more than three times the undergraduate population of Columbia, with a higher proportion of undergraduates than graduate students.
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The former editor of TopUniversities.com, Laura oversaw the site's editorial content and student forums. She also edited the QS Top Grad School Guide and contributed to market research reports, including 'How Do Students Use Rankings?'
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