Writing & Art Colleges in New York

New York enjoys a reputation as one of the finest places in the world to obtain an education in the liberal arts. Writers and artists flock to the state--and to New York City in particular--to study, hone their craft and find work after college. As a key center of art and literature, New York has a wide variety of schools and degree programs.

Community colleges offer affordability and high acceptance rates. Many 2-year degrees, such as the A.A.S. in Commercial Art at Nassau Community College in Garden City, allow students to enter the work force directly after graduation. Others, such as an A.S. in Art, are designed for those planning to eventually earn a 4-year degree. New York community colleges include Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua and Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica.

New York has more than its fair share of schools that specialize exclusively in the arts. Many, such as the School of Visual Arts, are 4-year schools with undergraduate and graduate programs. The New York Academy of Art is a graduate school only. And the Art Institute of New York City is part of a nationwide network of schools. Depending on the program, you can earn your certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree. Schools vary in cost, reputation and intensity of admissions requirements.

Small, 4-year liberal arts schools provide an intimate college environment and low student-to-faculty ratios. Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers enrolls an average of 1,200 undergraduate students per year, with six students to each faculty member. Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs enrolled 2,400 undergraduates in 2008 with a projected tuition and housing cost of $50,000 per year. Though the cost for these colleges is considerable, the schools offer scholarships, financial aid and tuition payment plans.

Most universities have a broader curriculum than liberal arts colleges. They are generally larger in size and scope, with professional schools and advanced degree options. Enrollment numbers vary widely, from 12,000 undergraduates at Syracuse University to almost 20,000 at NYU. Obtaining an art or writing degree from a university has pros and cons. Larger class size can translate to less one-on-one time with instructors, but it can also mean a broader range of input and experience from fellow class members. Expect more robust athletic programs and an expansive campus library. Cost and acceptance rates vary, though state schools such as the State University of New York (SUNY) can cost about 80 percent less than a liberal arts college.

In addition to the type of school, factors such as setting can affect the overall quality of education. Schools like Columbia, located in the heart of Manhattan, provide the quintessential New York college experience with access to world-class museums, libraries and galleries (not to mention clubs, cafes and entertainment). Finally, the most prestigious New York schools are revered for good reason. In 2008, 33,000 students applied for just more than 3,000 freshman spots at Cornell University, an Ivy League school in Ithaca. And Pratt Institute, a leading professional school of art, design, and architecture, receives more than 5,000 applications each year for 645 freshman openings--almost twice as many applications as any other art school in the country.