Marist College (marist.edu) in Poughkeepsie, New York is considered by U.S. News & World Report to be one of the top colleges in the northeast United States. Even though it is a "college," Marist offers a number of pre-professional and graduate programs like most universities. Marist is known for its small class sizes and focus on the liberal arts.
Nazareth College (naz.edu), located in Rochester, New York, is regarded by the U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 25 schools in the northeast. Despite its name, the college is no longer associated with the Roman Catholic Church. Instead, the school is structured as a private, coeducational institution, providing liberal arts degrees for undergraduates and pre-professional graduate degree programs. The school is known for its extremely strong civic engagement with around 91 percent of the student body volunteering in off campus community service organizations.
Wagner College (wagner.edu), located on Staten Island, is listed in the top 30 colleges of the Northeast by U.S. News & World Report's college rankings. The SAT is optional for all students except students enrolling in Wagner's Physician Assistant Program. Wagner is known for its learning curriculum known as the "Wagner Plan." Students enrolled in the college are required to enroll in Learning Communities, annual courses where undergraduate students discuss what they have learned through Wagner through their studies. Students must enroll in three Learning Community courses in their time at Wagner.
Located in Purchase, New York, Manhattanville College (manhattanville.edu) offers graduate and undergraduate studies as well as a strong tradition of social action. Students do not need to take the SAT; however, students must submit a writing test if they do not submit SAT scores. Founded as a Catholic college, Manhattanville College is now non-denominational, but roots many of its social clubs and activities toward community service and social advocacy. Manhattanville College is considered by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 40 colleges in the Northeast and another school that has opted out of SAT score requirements.