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!
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 57 undergraduate degree programs as well as more than 66 minors and 19 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.
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, one of three Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania campuses, 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 minors to choose from, including opportunities for Honors programming, study abroad, and internships. With 2,200+ students on campus, The Haven’s environment is vibrant with energy from 17 athletic teams, club and intramural sports, 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.
PennWest California
Pennsylvania Western University California is a public comprehensive university in California, Pennsylvania—25 miles from Pittsburgh. PennWest offers more than 190 undergraduate and graduate majors, concentrations, and programs through the Colleges of Education, Liberal Arts, and Science & Technology to 6,800+ students. More than 100 campus clubs are devoted to academic interests, arts, student communities, communications, student leadership, faith and religion, politics, volunteering, sports and recreation, and more.
Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College is a public comprehensive university in a residential area of Providence, Rhode Island. The College serves more than 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students with 90+ majors and concentrations through five schools, including the Faculty of Arts & Sciences and the Schools of Education & Human Development, Business, Nursing, and Social Work. RIC students also have access to more than 70 student clubs and organizations as well as 1,600+ opportunities for internships, research, and study abroad.
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 Oneonta
SUNY Oneonta is a public college of liberal arts and sciences in Oneonta, New York—75 miles southwest of Albany. The College offers more than 6,700 students 60+ undergraduate and 17 graduate programs, 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.
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg is a public liberal arts university in Greensburg, Pennsylvania—with the main campus in Pittsburgh just 30 miles away. Pitt-Greensburg is a friendly community of 1,500 students that offers 30+ majors, 26+ minors, and a plethora of additional educational programs. Students also have access to all the resources of UPitt’s main campus, one of the most prestigious research institutions in the country.
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University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown is a public comprehensive liberal arts university in Johnstown, Pennsylvania—with the main campus in Pittsburgh 70 miles away. Pitt-Johnstown offers 70 programs, more than 100 clubs and organizations, and a scenic campus in the picturesque Laurel Highlands. The University’s 2,100+ students are a part of a supportive living-learning environment grounded in the liberal arts and sciences that prepares them for both personal and professional success.
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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.
