Iona University Once Again Named Among Nation’s Best Colleges by The Princeton Review
The national recognition reflects Iona’s continued investment in academic excellence, student success and an exceptional campus experience.
New Rochelle and Bronxville, N.Y. — Iona University is proud to announce it has once again been included in The Princeton Review’s prestigious “The Best 392 Colleges,” solidifying the University’s place among the nation’s best institutions for undergraduates.
Released today, only about 14 percent of the nation’s 2,800 four-year colleges received recognition in the 2027 installment of the publication. The Princeton Review made its selection based in part on a survey of 172,000 students across the country, providing insights into academics, professors, student life, campus culture, clubs, extracurricular activities and much more. It also surveyed college administrators about their institution’s academic offerings.
“We are proud to once again be recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s top colleges, a distinction that reflects the positive experiences and outcomes of our students,” said Iona President Seamus Carey, Ph.D. “Iona is committed to providing a rigorous academic experience while creating a close-knit, caring community where students are supported, challenged and inspired to reach their fullest potential. This recognition is a testament to that commitment and to the work taking place across the University.”
Each year, The Princeton Review aims to offer invaluable guidance for students as they search for their “best-fit” school. The company’s profile of Iona University is included in the printed edition of its annual college guide as well as on its website. The Princeton Review does not rank the schools in “The Best 392 Colleges” hierarchically.
"The colleges we profile in The Best 392 Colleges vary by type, size, locale, and campus culture. In our opinion, each one offers an academically outstanding undergraduate education," said Rob Franek, lead author of the book and editor-in-chief at The Princeton Review. "They are truly a select group: they comprise only about 14% of America's nearly 2,800 four-year colleges."
ACADEMICS
According to The Princeton Review, students say that Iona provides a “close-knit, student-centered learning environment and... career-focused academic programs.”
Undergraduates point to professional development as an important part of their Iona education, noting opportunities to work with Career Services on resumes and interview preparation while building connections that have helped students “intern at some amazing organizations and businesses.” Students also praise Iona’s annual career fairs, strong alumni network and access to professionals across a variety of industries.
In the classroom, students highlight opportunities to put what they are learning into practice through engaging, collaborative work. They point to resources such as the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the Kelly Center for Health Sciences, as well as “updated technology in classrooms, like virtual simulations or digital lab tools,” allowing for work that is “very hands-on.” Beyond campus, students say seminars and conferences provide additional opportunities to meet and learn from successful alumni and professionals in their fields.
The editors at The Princeton Review also note that all first-year students take part in the foundational Columba Cornerstone course during their first semester. Students say this “introduces people to subjects that they might never have tried otherwise” and opens up the idea of cross-disciplinary study. One student sums up: “My academic experience at Iona has shown me how strongly the university values collaboration, hands-on learning, and real-world engagement.”
STUDENT BODY
At Iona, students share similar “values which are based on service, integrity and community,” so it is no surprise that undergraduates describe the University as a place where “you can find yourself and your friends really fast.” One student elaborates by saying their peers are “very kind and open to all new kinds of things.”
Undergrads further describe their peers as a "high energy student body" that is both "upbeat and motivated." This year, students continued to highlight the range of perspectives represented across the Iona community, with one undergraduate noting that "there are so many people with different backgrounds."
The editors at The Princeton Review also note that “the warmth felt at Iona even has its own motto,” with one student saying: “We really take ‘Gaels take care of Gaels’ seriously.” Another concurs: “We all look out for one another.”
CAMPUS LIFE
On both the academic and recreational side, students note that the University’s “extracurriculars are fantastic and offer a wide range of activities and topics.” One student added that Iona is “always finding more ways to get involved or create events or programs that are very diverse and engaging.”
This year, students also pointed to Gaels Athletics as an important part of campus life, highlighting the energy surrounding games and pre-game events as well as the connections formed through sports. With a large population of student-athletes on campus, one respondent noted that it “gives students the chance to bond over sports.” Another added that “the games and pre-game events are always so fun and great ways to socialize.”
Outside of sports, students point to the Center for Student Engagement as another place to find “events to get the student body involved,” and for those who want a campus breather, they can “walk to the restaurants here to have a nice dinner or go shopping in Bronxville or White Plains, which have nice shopping centers.”
Overall, between studying, clubs, and location, students say “there’s a good balance of work and fun, and it’s easy to find people to hang out with or things to do.”
THE MOMENTUM CONTINUES
Iona continues to build on its momentum, expanding academic programs, investing in the student experience and preparing graduates to thrive in an increasingly dynamic world. Across its campuses in New Rochelle and Bronxville, N.Y., Iona combines small class sizes and engaged professors with a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs, hands-on learning and unparalleled access to internship and career opportunities in New York City and beyond.
Outside of the classroom, Gaels compete across 26 NCAA Division I varsity sports, participate in a wide array of spirit and performing arts programs, engage in service opportunities and choose from over 100 student clubs and leadership organizations. Together, these experiences give students countless ways to find their fit, pursue their passions and develop as leaders.
Iona also continues to invest in its campuses, recently opening a brand-new dining hall in New Rochelle and its first residence hall in Bronxville. Opening this fall, the newly designed Mehmel Green will transform the upper campus into a vibrant green space anchored by the Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel, creating opportunities for both reflection and fellowship. Looking ahead, the University has also unveiled plans for a new state-of-the-art media center, bringing television, radio, podcasting, virtual reality, drone and esports programs together in a collaborative hub designed to foster experiential learning and career preparation.
“Iona provides students with a highly personalized education while connecting them to exceptional academic, professional and extracurricular opportunities,” said Kevin O’Sullivan, senior vice president for Enrollment and Student Affairs. “With dedicated faculty, innovative programs, continued investments across our campuses and close proximity to New York City, Iona empowers students to discover their passions and prepare for meaningful, successful careers. We are thrilled to once again be included among The Princeton Review’s ‘Best 392 Colleges’ and are proud to see the Iona experience recognized on a national stage.”
Learn more about Iona University or apply today!
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2026, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.