Purchase College, SUNY is listed as one of the eight Top Public Schools and among the best 131 National Liberal Arts Colleges by “U.S. News & World Report” in the 2026 edition of its college guide.
Purchase is also listed as 30 on the list of top performers in the nation on social mobility, which evaluates how well colleges serve low-income students.
Also, the college’s psychology program has been included among the list of top undergraduate psychology programs.
Purchase College President Michael E. Steiper, Ph.D., said, “We’re thrilled that Purchase is once again a “Top 10” Public School. This accolade from “U.S. News & World Report” is much more than a number: it is a testament to the value of a Purchase education, and to our ability to provide both access and excellence across our majors in the arts and the liberal arts and sciences. We’re especially proud to be recognized for our dedication to social mobility and our commitment to supporting low-income students with the guidance and resources they need to succeed throughout their time at Purchase and their careers after graduation.”
In addition to the U.S. News rankings, Purchase College has been included on many significant lists.
Purchase is listed as one of the “Best 391 Colleges” in the nation by the “Princeton Review” in the 2026 edition of its college guide, which only includes 15% of the nation’s four-year colleges. Purchase is also listed as a Best Northeastern College and a top Green College for its commitment to sustainability. Home to the acclaimed Performing Arts Center, Purchase was also ranked on the list of Best College Theaters.
“The Hollywood Reporter” has named Purchase as one of the top 25 Acting Programs in the World for 2025.
“The Fiske Guide to Colleges” selected Purchase as one of the “best and most interesting colleges in the U.S., Canada, and U.K.”
“Money” included Purchase in its list of more than 700 Best Colleges, which evaluates colleges based on “graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries and more.”
A top 10 public school, according to U.S. News, Purchase College, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, was founded in 1967 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller. His aspiration for Purchase was to create a dynamic campus that combined conservatory training in the visual and performing arts with programs in the liberal arts and sciences in order to inspire an appreciation for both intellectual and artistic talents in all students. Today, Purchase College, SUNY is a community of students, faculty and friends where open-minded engagement with the creative process leads to a lifetime of intellectual growth and professional opportunity.
