Best Test-Optional New York Colleges

New York has 93 ranked test-optional colleges, part of our national test-optional list. These schools do not require SAT or ACT scores with your application, ranked by academic quality and outcomes.

Columbia University in the City of New York tops our 2027 test-optional rankings in New York. The top rated public option is University at Buffalo. Also highly ranked: Hamilton College, Colgate University and Barnard College.

Without test scores, your GPA, activities, recommendation letters, and essays carry more weight. Compare acceptance rates, tuition, and enrollment across the colleges below. Sort by tuition or acceptance rate to find schools that fit your profile. See our ranking methodology for how schools are scored.

93 Results
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New York Test Optional Public Private 4 Year

  • Public 4 Year
  • Canton, NY
  • | 0 reviews

SUNY Canton is a public college of technology known for undergraduate nursing, engineering technology, and veterinary science technology. The residential campus sits in the small college town of Canton in northern New York.

#35 Best Public Universities in New York 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1000-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.0
  • Acceptance Rate 92%
  • Net Price $14,754
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Brooklyn, NY
  • | 0 reviews

St. Francis College is a small private Franciscan college known for undergraduate business, accounting, and nursing. The compact urban campus sits in Brooklyn Heights near the East River.

#58 Best Private Colleges in New York
  • SAT Range 990-1240
  • Avg GPA 2.9
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $17,698
Details
The College of Saint Rose Campus
 

  • Private 4 Year
  • Albany, NY
  • | 0 reviews
  • May 1 application deadline
#59 Best Private Colleges in New York
  • SAT Range 1001-1228
  • Avg GPA 3.3
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price -
Details