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Big-City Colleges: 219 Compared

Lens covers 219 big-city colleges, 89 public and 130 private. They range from Minerva University (637 undergraduates) to Ohio State University (45,638). Acceptance rates run from 3% to 100%, and 165 of the 219 admit at least half of applicants.

Big-city colleges are in a city of 250,000 people or more (NCES locale). It describes the surrounding area; some city colleges have a campus of their own.

Open these 219 colleges in the College Filter → Narrow them by cost at your rate, majors, size and more.

The 219 big-city colleges

Listed A to Z. Lens never ranks colleges.

CollegeLocationUndergraduatesAcceptance rateTuition & fees (before aid)
American Musical and Dramatic AcademyNew York, New York1,43824%$46,928
American UniversityWashington, District of Columbia7,26662%$58,771
Augsburg UniversityMinneapolis, Minnesota2,49482%$45,452
Avila UniversityKansas City, Missouri1,31288%$42,000
Barnard CollegeNew York, New York3,2649%$69,888
Bellarmine UniversityLouisville, Kentucky2,16186%$48,770
Belmont UniversityNashville, Tennessee7,13795%$42,540
Berklee College of MusicBoston, Massachusetts7,46844%$52,040
Boston UniversityBoston, Massachusetts18,24811%$68,102
Butler UniversityIndianapolis, Indiana4,31785%$47,560
CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew York, New York16,15448%$7,464 in-state · $15,414 out-of-state
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, New York10,54358%$7,452 in-state · $15,402 out-of-state
CUNY City CollegeNew York, New York12,50560%$7,340 in-state · $15,290 out-of-state
CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, New York16,28954%$7,382 in-state · $15,332 out-of-state
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York, New York11,59057%$7,470 in-state · $15,420 out-of-state
CUNY Lehman CollegeBronx, New York10,69657%$7,410 in-state · $15,360 out-of-state
CUNY Medgar Evers CollegeBrooklyn, New York3,23386%$7,352 in-state · $15,302 out-of-state
CUNY New York City College of TechnologyBrooklyn, New York13,58080%$7,332 in-state · $15,282 out-of-state
CUNY Queens CollegeQueens, New York12,55064%$7,538 in-state · $15,488 out-of-state
CUNY York CollegeJamaica, New York4,34564%$7,358 in-state · $15,308 out-of-state
California Baptist UniversityRiverside, California8,17985%$41,228
California State University, BakersfieldBakersfield, California8,57794%$8,090 in-state · $20,690 out-of-state
California State University, FresnoFresno, California21,60595%$7,350 in-state · $19,950 out-of-state
California State University, Long BeachLong Beach, California35,92446%$7,350 in-state · $19,950 out-of-state
California State University, Los AngelesLos Angeles, California19,56291%$7,160 in-state · $19,760 out-of-state
California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge, California32,69193%$7,458 in-state · $20,058 out-of-state
California State University, SacramentoSacramento, California28,35094%$8,018 in-state · $20,618 out-of-state
Canisius UniversityBuffalo, New York1,68572%$34,500
Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania7,30412%$66,246
Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, Ohio6,43737%$66,608
Chatham UniversityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania1,23262%$44,626
Chicago State UniversityChicago, Illinois1,38443%$12,754
Clark Atlanta UniversityAtlanta, Georgia3,60364%$28,310
Cleveland State UniversityCleveland, Ohio8,96991%$12,988 in-state · $18,510 out-of-state
College of Staten Island CUNYStaten Island, New York9,65792%$7,490 in-state · $15,440 out-of-state
Colorado CollegeColorado Springs, Colorado2,01418%$70,734
Columbia College ChicagoChicago, Illinois5,36889%$34,088
Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, New York8,9734%$71,845
Concordia University–IrvineIrvine, California1,53666%$43,480
Concordia University–Saint PaulSaint Paul, Minnesota3,01879%$25,600
Coppin State UniversityBaltimore, Maryland1,84446%$7,100 in-state · $14,024 out-of-state
Creighton UniversityOmaha, Nebraska4,34880%$48,856
Dallas Baptist UniversityDallas, Texas2,40389%$40,190
DePaul UniversityChicago, Illinois14,09076%$45,999
Dillard UniversityNew Orleans, Louisiana1,06342%$23,918
Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania13,23379%$62,412
Duke UniversityDurham, North Carolina6,4426%$68,758
Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania5,35084%$48,986
Eckerd CollegeSaint Petersburg, Florida1,88876%$51,884
Edward Waters UniversityJacksonville, Florida1,08785%$16,366
Emerson CollegeBoston, Massachusetts3,87051%$57,056
Emmanuel CollegeBoston, Massachusetts1,85476%$48,550
Emory UniversityAtlanta, Georgia7,29811%$64,280
Fashion Institute of TechnologyNew York, New York7,63760%$6,294 in-state · $16,874 out-of-state
Fisher CollegeBoston, Massachusetts1,16771%$35,689
Fisk UniversityNashville, Tennessee1,03537%$25,858
Fordham UniversityBronx, New York10,51259%$64,915
George Washington UniversityWashington, District of Columbia11,18247%$67,710
Georgetown UniversityWashington, District of Columbia7,56913%$68,017
Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlanta, Georgia18,78514%$12,058 in-state · $34,484 out-of-state
Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, Georgia26,62355%$8,664 in-state · $24,840 out-of-state
Greensboro CollegeGreensboro, North Carolina70870%$21,000
Guilford CollegeGreensboro, North Carolina1,00180%$41,362
Hamline UniversitySaint Paul, Minnesota1,77688%$50,004
Hawaii Pacific UniversityHonolulu, Hawaii2,39286%$34,392
Holy Family UniversityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2,46471%$35,330
Houston Christian UniversityHouston, Texas2,88684%$39,430
Howard UniversityWashington, District of Columbia10,10841%$35,810
Huston-Tillotson UniversityAustin, Texas1,00539%$26,709
Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, Illinois2,83355%$52,386
Indiana Institute of TechnologyFort Wayne, Indiana1,44170%$31,361
Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, Indiana13,83076%$10,762 in-state · $34,891 out-of-state
Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville, Florida2,93057%$47,830
Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, Maryland5,6936%$65,230
Johnson & Wales University–CharlotteCharlotte, North Carolina1,18480%$42,419
Johnson C Smith UniversityCharlotte, North Carolina1,24445%$21,300
La Salle UniversityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania1,95397%$37,800
Lewis & Clark CollegePortland, Oregon2,12078%$64,828
Lipscomb UniversityNashville, Tennessee2,99768%$40,572
Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, California7,09445%$62,357
Loyola University ChicagoChicago, Illinois11,73782%$53,710
Loyola University MarylandBaltimore, Maryland3,86975%$57,150
Loyola University New OrleansNew Orleans, Louisiana2,81293%$49,440
MCPHS UniversityBoston, Massachusetts3,45185%$40,530
Macalester CollegeSaint Paul, Minnesota2,13129%$68,104
Manhattan UniversityRiverdale, New York2,74479%$53,400
Marian UniversityIndianapolis, Indiana2,26695%$40,664
Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, Wisconsin7,66081%$51,170
Maryland Institute College of ArtBaltimore, Maryland1,18977%$56,800
Marymount Manhattan CollegeNew York, New York1,57783%$41,870
Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver, Colorado15,00299%$11,124 in-state · $30,684 out-of-state
Milwaukee School of EngineeringMilwaukee, Wisconsin2,65459%$50,480
Minerva UniversitySan Francisco, California6373%$23,630
Morehouse CollegeAtlanta, Georgia2,84444%$32,893
Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, Maryland9,01982%$8,229 in-state · $19,124 out-of-state
Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles, California1,71973%$49,564
National Louis UniversityChicago, Illinois4,40695%$12,705
New Jersey City UniversityJersey City, New Jersey3,68198%$14,460
New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNewark, New Jersey9,01965%$19,974 in-state · $37,664 out-of-state
New York UniversityNew York, New York28,6639%$62,796
North Carolina A & T State UniversityGreensboro, North Carolina12,18250%$6,813 in-state · $20,673 out-of-state
North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, North Carolina6,08187%$6,699 in-state · $19,735 out-of-state
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, North Carolina27,37142%$8,799 in-state · $32,847 out-of-state
North Park UniversityChicago, Illinois1,81869%$36,710
Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago, Illinois3,98275%$12,383 in-state · $22,726 out-of-state
Northeastern UniversityBoston, Massachusetts17,3265%$66,162
Occidental CollegeLos Angeles, California1,87744%$66,274
Ohio State UniversityColumbus, Ohio45,63861%$13,244 in-state · $40,022 out-of-state
Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa, Oklahoma3,48799%$35,470
Pace UniversityNew York, New York7,66576%$53,290
Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, California3,18884%$46,250
Point Park UniversityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania2,33197%$39,570
Portland State UniversityPortland, Oregon13,18291%$11,679 in-state · $31,074 out-of-state
Pratt Institute–MainBrooklyn, New York3,91073%$61,845
Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne, Indiana5,48484%$9,532 in-state · $22,887 out-of-state
Queens University of CharlotteCharlotte, North Carolina1,21162%$45,846
Reed CollegePortland, Oregon1,32025%$69,350
Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, Virginia4,72938%$21,650
Regis UniversityDenver, Colorado2,62786%$46,340
Rhodes CollegeMemphis, Tennessee1,83650%$57,110
Rice UniversityHouston, Texas4,7768%$64,144
Roosevelt UniversityChicago, Illinois2,84997%$21,315
Rutgers University–NewarkNewark, New Jersey7,70971%$17,250 in-state · $36,762 out-of-state
SUNY Buffalo State UniversityBuffalo, New York5,09773%$8,533 in-state · $19,653 out-of-state
Saint Edward's UniversityAustin, Texas2,49381%$51,384
Saint Joseph's University – PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania4,94889%$53,260
Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, Missouri7,26775%$55,760
Saint Peter's UniversityJersey City, New Jersey2,13590%$42,552
Saint Xavier UniversityChicago, Illinois3,09684%$37,940
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, California35,37736%$8,728 in-state · $21,328 out-of-state
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, California18,63996%$7,950 in-state · $20,550 out-of-state
San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, California27,60185%$8,410 in-state · $21,010 out-of-state
School of the Art Institute of ChicagoChicago, Illinois2,80577%$56,420
Seattle UniversitySeattle, Washington4,06277%$56,721
Shaw UniversityRaleigh, North Carolina87580%$17,538
Simmons UniversityBoston, Massachusetts1,67070%$46,874
Southern University at New OrleansNew Orleans, Louisiana1,05579%$8,054 in-state · $16,954 out-of-state
Spelman CollegeAtlanta, Georgia3,41425%$31,556
St. John's University–New YorkQueens, New York9,47783%$53,020
St. Joseph's University–New YorkBrooklyn, New York3,14472%$36,550
St. Mary's UniversitySan Antonio, Texas1,95198%$37,434
Suffolk UniversityBoston, Massachusetts4,26882%$47,550
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania20,97080%$23,011 in-state · $38,958 out-of-state
Tennessee State UniversityNashville, Tennessee4,84870%$8,616 in-state · $22,416 out-of-state
Texas A & M International UniversityLaredo, Texas6,66744%$7,894 in-state · $19,454 out-of-state
Texas A & M University–Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, Texas8,03489%$9,748 in-state · $20,794 out-of-state
Texas A&M University–San AntonioSan Antonio, Texas6,59993%$9,654 in-state · $23,255 out-of-state
Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, Texas11,02644%$61,740
Texas Southern UniversityHouston, Texas6,84497%$9,173 in-state · $21,473 out-of-state
Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, Texas32,39473%$11,852 in-state · $24,451 out-of-state
Texas Wesleyan UniversityFort Worth, Texas1,74169%$39,582
The Catholic University of AmericaWashington, District of Columbia3,15483%$58,378
The New SchoolNew York, New York6,56363%$58,694
The University of TampaTampa, Florida10,57240%$34,408
The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, Texas32,29480%$11,950 in-state · $29,582 out-of-state
The University of Texas at AustinAustin, Texas42,85527%$11,688 in-state · $44,908 out-of-state
The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, Texas21,005100%$9,744 in-state · $25,502 out-of-state
The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, Texas30,58087%$9,011 in-state · $22,051 out-of-state
Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania3,75581%$47,505
Trinity UniversitySan Antonio, Texas2,50526%$53,676
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana7,76714%$68,678
University of ArizonaTucson, Arizona42,53786%$13,926 in-state · $42,278 out-of-state
University of California, IrvineIrvine, California30,19729%$15,722 in-state · $49,922 out-of-state
University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, California33,4759%$15,203 in-state · $49,403 out-of-state
University of California, RiversideRiverside, California22,59376%$15,606 in-state · $49,806 out-of-state
University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla, California34,94827%$16,758 in-state · $50,958 out-of-state
University of ChicagoChicago, Illinois7,5694%$70,662
University of CincinnatiCincinnati, Ohio29,88285%$13,976 in-state · $29,310 out-of-state
University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, Colorado8,69797%$10,149 in-state · $24,336 out-of-state
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, Colorado10,51975%$10,383 in-state · $29,391 out-of-state
University of DallasIrving, Texas1,40353%$53,930
University of DenverDenver, Colorado6,02578%$61,398
University of Detroit MercyDetroit, Michigan2,43875%$32,946
University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, Hawaii15,02987%$12,186 in-state · $34,218 out-of-state
University of HoustonHouston, Texas38,38074%$9,717 in-state · $22,547 out-of-state
University of Houston–DowntownHouston, Texas12,55590%$7,708 in-state · $17,548 out-of-state
University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, Illinois22,17077%$14,338 in-state · $29,884 out-of-state
University of IndianapolisIndianapolis, Indiana3,00566%$37,200
University of KentuckyLexington, Kentucky24,76393%$13,502 in-state · $34,140 out-of-state
University of LouisvilleLouisville, Kentucky14,72779%$13,136 in-state · $29,482 out-of-state
University of Massachusetts–BostonBoston, Massachusetts11,51284%$15,908 in-state · $38,125 out-of-state
University of MemphisMemphis, Tennessee12,70172%$10,728 in-state · $15,384 out-of-state
University of Minnesota–Twin CitiesMinneapolis, Minnesota31,85580%$17,214 in-state · $38,362 out-of-state
University of Missouri–Kansas CityKansas City, Missouri6,81772%$12,587 in-state · $30,227 out-of-state
University of Mount Saint VincentBronx, New York2,69285%$44,540
University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, Nebraska11,48887%$8,718 in-state · $23,206 out-of-state
University of Nebraska–LincolnLincoln, Nebraska19,17887%$10,434 in-state · $28,584 out-of-state
University of Nevada–RenoReno, Nevada15,59974%$9,578 in-state · $27,720 out-of-state
University of New MexicoAlbuquerque, New Mexico17,24495%$10,140 in-state · $33,060 out-of-state
University of New OrleansNew Orleans, Louisiana4,63874%$9,172 in-state · $14,008 out-of-state
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, North Carolina24,45380%$7,239 in-state · $22,492 out-of-state
University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, North Carolina14,06289%$7,661 in-state · $24,012 out-of-state
University of North FloridaJacksonville, Florida13,35953%$6,389 in-state · $20,793 out-of-state
University of North Texas at DallasDallas, Texas2,87884%$9,595 in-state · $21,894 out-of-state
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania10,6505%$68,686
University of PittsburghPittsburgh, Pennsylvania20,37058%$21,926 in-state · $41,430 out-of-state
University of PortlandPortland, Oregon2,95789%$58,100
University of Puerto Rico–Rio PiedrasSan Juan, Puerto Rico8,57255%$5,354
University of San DiegoSan Diego, California5,67152%$59,486
University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, California5,28762%$60,492
University of South FloridaTampa, Florida37,20743%$6,410 in-state · $17,324 out-of-state
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, California20,44310%$72,097
University of St ThomasSaint Paul, Minnesota6,24585%$54,398
University of ToledoToledo, Ohio9,77092%$12,744 in-state · $22,104 out-of-state
University of TulsaTulsa, Oklahoma2,81362%$50,061
University of Washington–SeattleSeattle, Washington31,94239%$12,973 in-state · $43,209 out-of-state
University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison, Wisconsin36,90245%$11,603 in-state · $42,103 out-of-state
University of Wisconsin–MilwaukeeMilwaukee, Wisconsin16,75891%$10,398 in-state · $22,398 out-of-state
University of the Incarnate WordSan Antonio, Texas4,44098%$37,090
University of the PacificStockton, California3,20471%$57,080
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Tennessee7,2086%$67,498
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityVirginia Beach, Virginia1,25673%$37,500
Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, North Carolina5,48522%$67,642
Wayne State UniversityDetroit, Michigan15,58781%$15,190 in-state · $32,037 out-of-state
Wentworth Institute of TechnologyBoston, Massachusetts3,74791%$42,884
Wichita State UniversityWichita, Kansas10,78094%$9,684 in-state · $19,869 out-of-state
Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, North Carolina4,17078%$6,126 in-state · $16,782 out-of-state
Xavier UniversityCincinnati, Ohio4,20786%$50,640
Xavier University of LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana2,62869%$28,733

Sources: IPEDS (fall 2024 enrollment and admissions); College Scorecard (published tuition and fees before aid, about 2023–24). You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.

FAQ

Which big-city colleges admit at least half of applicants? 165 of the 219: American University, Augsburg University, Avila University, Bellarmine University, Belmont University, Butler University, CUNY Brooklyn College, CUNY City College, CUNY Hunter College, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY Lehman College, CUNY Medgar Evers College and 153 more (fall 2024).

What are the largest and smallest big-city colleges? Ohio State University is the largest, with 45,638 undergraduates, and Minerva University is the smallest, with 637 (fall 2024).

How many big-city colleges are public? 89 of the 219 are public and 130 are private.

Where these numbers come from

Lens covers the 850 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges that receive the most applications, so some smaller colleges are not listed. Enrollment, acceptance rates and degrees come from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education, fall 2024); published prices from the College Scorecard. Each college's page lists its own sources. See the data behind Lens.

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