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Our analysis found Fordham University to be the best college for Student Athletes (Division I) in New York. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bronx, NY.
by our College Data Analytics TeamChoosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. This list ranks 18 colleges for Student Athletes (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, College Factual weighs a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and aid per athlete from the EADA survey), and overall school quality, drawing on NCAA, U.S. Department of Education EADA, and IPEDS data. Learn more about our ranking methodology.
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Our analysis found Fordham University to be the best college for Student Athletes (Division I) in New York. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bronx, NY.
Colgate University came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Student Athletes (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Hamilton, NY.
Syracuse University came in at #3 on this year's ranking for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Hofstra University is one of the top schools for Student Athletes (Division I), at #4. Located in Hempstead, NY, Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit institution.
St. John's University-New York is one of the top schools for Student Athletes (Division I), at #5. Based in Queens, NY, St. John's University-New York is a private not-for-profit institution.
University at Buffalo placed #6 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Buffalo, NY, University at Buffalo is a public institution.
Columbia University in the City of New York did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University in the City of New York is a private not-for-profit institution.
Stony Brook University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Stony Brook University is a public school based in Stony Brook, NY.
Binghamton University landed the #9 spot this year. Binghamton University is a public school based in Vestal, NY.
Cornell University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY.
Niagara University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Niagara University, NY.
Marist University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Poughkeepsie, NY, Marist University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Manhattan University landed the #13 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverdale, NY.
Wagner College landed the #14 spot this year. Wagner College is a private not-for-profit school based in Staten Island, NY.
University at Albany came in at #15 in this year's ranking. University at Albany is a public school based in Albany, NY.
St Bonaventure University placed #16 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Saint Bonaventure, NY, St Bonaventure University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Iona University placed #17 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Iona University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Rochelle, NY.
Canisius University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Buffalo, NY, Canisius University is a private not-for-profit institution.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Programs are scored on a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and athletic aid from the federal EADA survey), and overall school quality. The current methodology measures academic-athletic quality and does not include team win/loss performance.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.