Best Universities in Suburban Areas
Choosing the right college is a significant decision, and location plays an enormous role in that choice. For some, the city is invigorating, while for others, it can be overstimulating. Suburban universities offer a "Goldilocks" experience - not too busy, not too quiet. These institutions provide a balance between the tranquility of a rural setting and the accessibility of urban amenities. For many students, these colleges and universities truly offer the best of both worlds. The colleges on this list are all schools located in suburban settings and ranked based on their academic excellence.
What Defines a Suburban University?
Suburban universities occupy a unique space. Unlike their urban counterparts, they are not located in major metropolitan areas bustling with 24/7 activity. And in contrast to rural universities, they aren't situated in the countryside or near small towns, where off-campus facilities might be lacking and buses run infrequently. Instead, suburban universities offer a middle ground, providing access to both green spaces and urban centers.
Ranking Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently-available enrollment year. We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification.
Advantages of Suburban Universities
- Access to Urban Opportunities: Many suburban universities are strategically located near major cities, providing students with access to internships, cultural events, and other opportunities.
- Balanced Environment: Suburban settings offer a respite from the intensity of city life while still providing access to urban amenities.
- Strong Campus Community: Similar to rural colleges, suburban universities often foster a strong sense of community among students.
- Green Spaces: Suburban campuses often have ample green space, allowing students to enjoy a relaxing walk in the fresh air between lectures.
Featured Suburban Universities
While a comprehensive ranking list isn't provided, here are some examples of universities that exemplify the suburban experience, along with their proximity to major cities and unique offerings:
Drew University (Madison, NJ): Located 30 miles west of New York City, Drew offers students seemingly endless opportunities to take advantage of the Big Apple. Named by home security company SafeWise as the third-safest college town in the country, Madison, NJ, home to Drew. Their nycTREC programs allow students to live on campus and travel into the city for a semester, taking classes on Wall Street, at the United Nations, and at several other landmarks. All students graduate having completed at least two career-building immersive experiences, many of which take place in New York. A half-mile walk from campus to the train station allows students to arrive at New York’s Penn Station in an hour.
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Lake Forest College (Lake Forest, IL): Situated near Chicago, Lake Forest provides students with easy access to the city's cultural and professional opportunities. Professors across all disciplines take their classes to Chicago over 200 times per academic year, and 86% of students graduate having completed an internship in the city. Students who want to get a taste of what living in Chicago can participate in the In the Loop semester or the ACTIVATE: Summer Internship Program, both of which allow students to reside in the College’s residential building downtown. A train station is a 15-minute walk from campus, allowing students to hop on the Metra Union Pacific North Line and get downtown in an hour.
Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA): Santa Clara’s unique location provides access to 2 of the 15 largest cities in the country: San Jose and San Francisco. Santa Clara students take full advantage of the fact that the university is in the heart of Silicon Valley. A train station is located right off the campus, so students can go from campus to San Francisco Station (one block away from Oracle Park, where the Giants play, if you’re into that sort of thing) in just over an hour.
Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY): This campus is in a suburban area and has over 1,454 acres. Students can enjoy campus life in a suburban town, while still being close to various cool places in the Long Island area. Some popular majors that Stony Brook offers include engineering, computer science, business, clinical and health, and psychology.
Considerations for Prospective Students
When considering suburban universities, it's essential to weigh the following factors:
- Proximity to Urban Centers: How close is the university to a major city, and what opportunities does that city offer?
- Transportation: How easy is it to get to and from the city? Are there reliable public transportation options?
- Campus Culture: Does the university have a strong sense of community? What extracurricular activities are available?
- Cost of Living: While generally lower than in major cities, the cost of living in a suburban area can still vary.
- Availability of Off-Campus Accommodation: In a similar way to rural colleges, suburban universities may encourage students to own a car, which can be expensive.
Other New York Colleges for Consideration
- New York University (NYU): Located in downtown Manhattan in NYC. NYU is known as one of the best colleges in New York City because of its programs in the sciences, engineering, and business.
- Cornell University: Located in a historic, small-town feel.
- Columbia University: Located in Manhattan. Columbia University is well known for being a research institution.
- Syracuse University: Syracuse University is well known for its basketball team, Syracuse Orange.
- CUNY City College: Students who are interested in studying engineering may be interested in CUNY City College, as it’s one of the top colleges to study engineering.
- Pace University: Pace University offers over 100 undergraduate degree programs and over 80 graduate degree programs. Their most popular major is Business Marketing. Pace University prides itself on being able to provide students with real-world experiences, like internships, through its campus.
- Hofstra University: Hofstra University is Long Island’s largest private university. They have several well-ranked schools such as engineering, education, law, and business.
- Buffalo SUNY: Some popular majors offered at this school include business, education, engineering, health professions, and marketing.
- Binghamton University: It’s a moderately competitive school to get into, but it is known for being a top research institution with seven national awards for innovation in international education.
- SUNY Cortland: Perfect for students who are looking for a medium-sized college.
- SUNY College at Geneseo: This college is a public liberal arts college located in Geneseo, New York.
- Monroe Community College: Located in Rochester, New York-this 2-year college is great for students who are looking to start college in a medium-sized city.
- Nassau Community College: This community college is the largest single-community college in NY state.
- SUNY Erie: By attending a community college like SUNY Erie, students can save hundreds of dollars in tuition costs.
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