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From the deep history rooted in nearly every corner of our city to the abundance of culture found in its live music venues, world-class museums, theaters, galleries and beyond, New York City is an indescribable place to learn—both inside the classroom and far beyond it.
There’s perhaps no better place for students to spend their college years than in a city where inspiration is quite literally everywhere you look.
A walk to class can mean passing through centuries of history, a weekend can be spent exploring a new museum or neighborhood, and some of the world’s biggest names in art, media, business, fashion and entertainment are never too far away.
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And luckily, NYC is home to no shortage of incredible colleges and universities that allow students to take full advantage of all the city has to offer. From prestigious Ivy League institutions to renowned arts schools and specialized programs, students come from around the world to study right here in the five boroughs.
Now, one NYC university is earning national recognition once again.
TIME has released its inaugural ranking of America’s Best Colleges for 2026-2027, created in partnership with data research firm Statista to highlight the institutions that excel in student outcomes, learning environments and overall attractiveness to students.
And among the hundreds of colleges recognized nationwide, Columbia University landed a spot in the top 10.
ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
TIME’s inaugural ranking of America’s Best Colleges for 2026-2027, created in partnership with data research firm Statista, evaluated schools based on three key areas: student outcomes, learning environment and attractiveness to students. Columbia University earned a spot in the top 10, joining some of the most prestigious institutions in the country.
The recognition is especially notable considering the university’s location in the heart of New York City, where students have access not only to Columbia’s renowned academic programs and campus community but also to the endless cultural, professional and educational opportunities that come with living in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Bitterteayen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Stanford University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Harvey Mudd College
Columbia University
Princeton University
Duke University
Yale University
Brown University
Claremont McKenna College
University of Pennsylvania