Great Public Colleges in the Northeast
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Great Public Colleges and Universities in the Northeast

Public colleges are fairly priced for residents and offer a lot to any student. Check out these comprehensive and liberal arts options in the Northeast!

Public colleges and universities are amazing institutions of higher learning that are highly recommended to students during the college search for their affordability and unmatched resources. The following public comprehensive and liberal arts institutions are well known in the Northeast for their outstanding reputations and dedication to their students. The best part is you can get in touch with them quickly and easily just by clicking the green “Connect Me” button underneath each school. Start searching for your best-fit college today!

College of Staten Island, CUNY

The College of Staten Island, CUNY logoThe College of Staten Island is a City University of New York public liberal arts college in Staten Island, New York. The College offers its 10,000+ students a choice of 52 majors and 58 minors in 23 fields of study and a 16:1 student-faculty ratio with professors who are experts in their fields. CSI is also home to the Macaulay Honors College University Scholars Program, which provides high-achieving students with a curriculum of innovative and challenging courses during their first and second years of study.

Connect me with CSI!

Kean University

Kean University logoKean University is a public comprehensive university in Union, New Jersey—just 12 miles from New York City. The University offers more than 50 undergraduate degrees and over 70 graduate study options, with a wide range of academic fields for students to explore. Kean’s student body of 16,000+ can also get involved in more than 170 honor societies, cultural groups, and student organizations.

Connect me with Kean!

Montclair State University

Montclair State University logoMontclair State University is a premier public research university in Montclair, New Jersey—just 12 miles from New York City. Designated as a high-research doctoral institution, the University offers more than 22,000 students over 300 programs across 13 colleges and schools. As a top-ranked institution for social mobility, Montclair provides a 17:1 student-faculty ratio and a vibrant campus life with over 120 student organizations. Students benefit from a high-achieving environment, extensive financial aid options, and diverse academic offerings that prepare graduates for professional success.

Connect me with Montclair!

SUNY Cortland

SUNY Cortland logoSUNY Cortland is a public multipurpose university of arts and sciences in Cortland, New York—30 miles from Syracuse. Reputations for Teacher Education and health-related programs have paved the way for Cortland’s 68 academic majors, which also cover the natural sciences, business, and other in-demand professional fields. In addition, the University’s 6,600+ students enjoy 50 study abroad programs, nearly 80 active student clubs, and an NCAA Division III athletics program with 131 national titles.

Connect me with SUNY Cortland!

SUNY Morrisville 

SUNY Morrisville logoSUNY Morrisville is a public comprehensive college in Morrisville, New York. Morrisville's 2,000+ students, who come from diverse backgrounds, choose from more than 50 associate and bachelor's degree programs that embrace agriculture, technology, business, social sciences, and the liberal arts. As home of the Mustangs, SUNY Morrisville boasts 16 intercollegiate athletics programs that compete at the NCAA Division III level as well as 35 on-campus clubs and organizations.

Connect me with SUNY Morrisville!

SUNY Oneonta

SUNY Oneonta logoSUNY Oneonta is a public college of liberal arts and sciences in Oneonta, New York—75 miles southwest of Albany. The College offers 60+ undergraduate and 17 graduate programs to more than 6,700 students, including an internationally accredited Business Economics program and nationally accredited programs in Dietetics, Education, Human Ecology, Music, and Theatre. With more than 150 Student Association–funded clubs and organizations ranging from the Accounting Society to the Zombie Defense Corps, there’s an activity for every interest at Oneonta.

Connect me with SUNY Oneonta!

William Paterson University

William Paterson University logoWilliam Paterson University is a public multipurpose university in Wayne, New Jersey—just 20 miles west of New York City. William Paterson offers its 10,000 students nearly 150 bachelor's and master’s degrees as well as certificate and pre-professional programs in a wide range of disciplines. The University also has more than 100 clubs and organizations, 28 fraternities and sororities, 13 NCAA Division III athletic teams, and 31 club sports and intramural activities.

Connect me with WPU!

If the Northeast isn’t your place, you can explore other schools all around the country with our collection of CX featured college lists.

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Campbell University

Buies Creek, NC


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