Exploring postgraduate universities and funding options in New York
Completing your postgraduate education in the Big Apple can be an exciting and unique experience for students studying in the U.S. The Institute of International Education’s (IIE) 2023 Open Doors Report found that New York is the second most popular state to host international students in the country.
Before finalizing where you’ll study abroad, here’s what to know about the best universities in New York, common admissions steps and financing your education.
Top universities in New York
Whether you’re studying toward your master’s degree in the U.S. or another postgraduate program, New York is home to a host of high-ranking institutions.
Columbia University
Columbia University is one of eight private Ivy League schools in the U.S. It’s located in Manhattan and is known for its postgraduate programs in business, medicine and law.
During the fall 2023 term, over 20K international students were enrolled at Columbia University, and over 6,000 were participating in post-graduation optional practical training (OPT).
The cost of enrolling as a Columbia postgraduate student varies by your enrollment year, enrollment status and program. The 2024-25 estimated cost of attendance for full-time students who are pursuing a Master’s of Science program, for example, is US$100K.
Cornell University
Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University is another New York-based Ivy League institution. It’s renowned for its postgraduate programs in computer science, engineering and business administration.
A significant percentage of Cornell’s student population are international students. According to the school, in fall 2023, 26% of its student community (6,745) are international students from 130 countries.
Like other postgraduate programs offered by the top universities in New York, the cost of attendance varies by your program and other factors. For example, tuition for students enrolled in the M.S. Business Analytics program during 2024-25 is US$85K. This figure doesn’t include fees and other expenses, like housing, food and transportation.
New York University
New York University (NYU) hosts most of its programs in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, with its engineering school in downtown Brooklyn.
NYU hosts more than 21,000 international students and scholars from more than 120 countries. It’s most known for its postgraduate programs in business, computer science, law and nursing.
Your cost of attendance at NYU will vary greatly, based on your program. The total estimated expenses for F-1 and J-1 international students at NYU was US$120K for those enrolled in the school’s full-time MBA program in 2023. Comparatively, postgraduate students enrolled at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering were estimated to spend US$74K for the year.
Admissions process when studying in the U.S.
The admissions process, timelines and requirements for study abroad in the U.S. vary by school. If you’re interested in pursuing an advanced education in New York, here are the general admission steps to plan ahead for:
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- Meet academic requirements: You must meet the academic criteria of the program you’re applying for, including GPA and prerequisite courses.
- Demonstrate English language proficiency: Be ready to provide your English language proficiency scores from an accepted English Language Proficiency Exam.
- Gather supporting documents: Compile your supporting documentation, like proof of undergraduate degree completion, transcripts, letters of recommendation and proof of finances.
- Apply: Fill out a formal enrollment application which might include a required statement of purpose or personal essay. Submit this, along with any required supplemental documents, by the application deadline.
- Complete interviews, as needed: Some New York universities might have an interview portion as part of its admissions process. Contact the school’s graduate admissions office to learn more about this requirement.
- Apply for a student visa: After you’re accepted by a college or university in New York, the next phase is undergoing the U.S. immigration process as an international student. Learn more about how to get a U.S. visa.
New York-bound: Ways to fund your study abroad in the U.S.
As you might’ve noticed, having enough funding to support yourself while studying in New York is critical to the university admissions and immigration process. Some students must pull funding from various sources. Below are some options if you need help financing your postgraduate study abroad in the U.S.
Personal savings
A majority of international students use personal and family savings as their primary funding source when studying in the U.S. The Institute of International Education’s 2023 Open Doors Report found that over 50%% of international students it surveyed said they paid for school primarily using their own funds.
Although you might have financial reserves available, attending New York’s most prestigious graduate universities comes at a steep cost. For this reason, it’s useful to explore other types of supplemental financial aid to help cover funding gaps.
University scholarships
Applying for scholarships is an impactful option for international students in the U.S. Scholarships are considered gift-based financial aid, so they don’t need to be repaid. There are various scholarship program types — like need- or merit-based aid — and each program has different eligibility criteria.
For example, Syracuse University has previously offered 13 merit-based scholarships for international students, and recipients were determined during the application process.
The 2023 Open Doors Report found that almost 20% of international students cited U.S.-based university scholarships as their primary funding source. Learn about postgraduate scholarships through the financial aid office of the New York college or university you’re interested in. MPOWER also offers scholarships available to international students across the globe.
Private student loans
International student loans are an additional, and common way to finance your postgraduate degree. If you’ve exhausted your personal funds and scholarship opportunities, an international student loan can help you cover the rest of your expenses while studying in the U.S.
One option for postgraduate students is MPOWER Financing’s no-collateral international student loan. It offers loan amounts between US$2,001 to US$100,000 at a fixed interest rate, and there’s no cosigner requirement to qualify. MPOWER has supported over 15,000 students in their study abroad journey and may be able to support you as well, check to see if you are eligible.
Creating a successful study abroad experience in New York
New York is home to some of the nation’s most esteemed and competitive universities.
Choosing to study abroad in the U.S., especially in New York’s diverse and bustling environment, can be a rewarding postgraduate experience.
If you think New York is the place for you to pursue your postgraduate education, then we recommend you’re convinced that advancing your education in New York is right for you, preparation is key you research schools offering the academic programs that best align with your career goals, verify each school’s graduate admissions requirements and deadlines, and ensure you have proof you can support your education while in the United States.
