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!
Binghamton University
Binghampton University is a public comprehensive university in Binghampton, New York—just three hours from New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With 130+ undergraduate programs, Binghamton’s research, scholarship, internships, and leadership experiences help 14,300+ undergraduates master the skills they need to succeed. Students get involved on campus in 400+ student clubs and organizations and NCAA Division I sports and off campus through service to the community.
Bishop's University
Bishop's University is a public liberal arts university located in Sherbrooke in the province of Quebec, Canada. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in a variety of academic programs covering Business, Education, Fine Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. In addition to a wide array of internship and training experiences, as an English university in a French community, Bishop’s also offers students the opportunity to learn, improve, or become fully bilingual in both languages.
Bloomsburg University
Bloomsburg University, one of three Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania campuses, is a public comprehensive institution in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania—about 80 miles from Harrisburg. The University offers 58 undergraduate degree programs as well as more than 68 minors and 30 graduate degree programs, enhanced by hands-on experience and top technology for great career preparation. Bloomsburg students can also get involved in more than 250 clubs and organizations as well as leadership and community service opportunities.
The College of Staten Island
The College of Staten Island is a public liberal arts City University of New York (CUNY) institution located in Staten Island, New York. CSI offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in 37 fields of study with 54 specializations to choose from. Students can also take advantage of the Macaulay Honors College University Scholars Program, which provides high-achieving students with an honors curriculum of innovative and challenging courses during their first and second years of study.
East Stroudsburg University
East Stroudsburg University is a public comprehensive institution in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. ESU offers 58 diverse undergraduate programs across four different colleges, including Art & Design, Computer Security, Environmental Studies, Public Health, Special Education, and much more. The University’s 4,300+ students take advantage of additional opportunities for accelerated graduation, online education, and alternative-campus learning.
Kean University
Kean 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.
Lock Haven University
Lock Haven University is a public comprehensive university in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania—30 miles west of Williamsport and 70 miles north of Harrisburg. The University offers 57 majors and 41 minors to choose from as well as opportunities for Honors programs, study abroad, and internships. With 2,200+ students on campus, The Haven’s environment is vibrant with energy from 17 athletic teams, a club and intramural sports program, and more than 100 clubs and organizations.
Mansfield University
Mansfield University, one of three Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania campuses, is a public comprehensive university in Mansfield, Pennsylvania—just 30 miles south of Elmira, New York. The University offers 135+ associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees with various concentrations, minors, certificates, and teacher certification programs. With a total enrollment of 1,700+, students benefit from a 17:1 student-faculty ratio and a wide range of educational, faith-based, political, social, cultural, ethnic, and recreational experiences.
SUNY Brockport
SUNY Brockport is a public comprehensive college in Brockport, New York—16 miles west of Rochester. The College offers more than 50 academic programs based around the core values of Community, Engagement, Excellence, and Transformation to a student body of 6,900+ pupils. Learning isn’t confined to the four walls of the classroom at Brockport, with additional opportunities such as Living-Learning Communities, a Leadership Development Program, 23 NCAA Division III varsity athletic teams, and more than 20 club sports.
SUNY Cortland
SUNY 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.
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SUNY Morrisville
SUNY 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.
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SUNY Oneonta
SUNY 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.
William Paterson University
William 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.
If the Northeast isn’t your place, you can explore other schools all around the country with our collection of CX featured college lists.