Many students dream of life in the big city, where there are thousands of restaurants, shops, museums, and other fun places to explore. There are events happening every day and hundreds of thousands of new people you could potentially meet. And when is a better time to experience that lifestyle than when you’re young and in college? Start exploring potential schools by checking out this list of featured colleges and universities in three of the biggest cities (over 2 million!) in the country—New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston. The best part is you can connect with any of these schools by clicking the green “Connect Me” buttons to request more information instantly. Start searching for the big-city college of your dreams right here!
New York, New York
New York is the city everyone thinks of when you have dreams of moving to the big city and chasing your passions. It’s home to Broadway, world-renowned restaurants, Wall Street, some of the best shopping, and so much more. If you’re looking for that high-energy lifestyle to back your academic pursuits, you should seriously consider these colleges and universities in the Big Apple.
College of Staten Island
The College of Staten Island is a City University of New York public liberal arts college in Staten Island, New York. As the largest single college campus in New York City, CSI offers its 10,000+ students a choice of 52 majors and 58 minors on a rural oasis in the middle of an urban setting with picturesque trees, lawns, and gardens. State-of-the-art facilities are a hallmark of the College’s campus, with highlights including a 16-foot domed astrophysical observatory; the student-operated radio station WSIA-FM; an Advanced Imaging Facility; an experimental black box theater; and more.
Fashion Institute of Technology
The Fashion Institute of Technology is a public school of art, design, business, and technology located in midtown Manhattan, near the center of the city’s fashion industry. Being one of FIT’s 2,000+ undergraduates means you’ll have tremendous opportunities to learn, play, and explore the abundance of New York City from the lively Chelsea neighborhood. The Institute’s 25 undergraduate degrees concentrated into 10 majors offer dynamic classes that reflect real-world industries while also providing internships for hands-on learning in those industries across the city.
New York University
New York University is one of the largest private universities in the country, with 18 schools, colleges, and centers on campuses in 15 major cities across the globe, including New York City; Washington, DC; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; London, England; Madrid, Spain; and Shanghai, China. The University champions academic and student diversity by ensuring accessibility and inclusion, creating one of the most diverse student bodies in the world. Being in the heart of the city removes the boundary between classroom and real-world opportunities in more than 270 areas of study.
Pace University
Pace University is a private comprehensive university with two campuses in the heart of NYC and suburban Pleasantville-Briarcliff. The University offers more than 100 majors and accelerated bachelor’s/graduate degree program, extensive career preparation, and over 100 clubs and organizations for students. The city is your campus at Pace, with cultural and professional activities, learning opportunities, and internships at places like the Federal Reserve, Microsoft, Lincoln Center, the New York Stock Exchange, and more.
Wagner College
Wagner College is a private liberal arts college on Staten Island. Set on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and New York Harbor, the College’s park-like campus is just a ferry ride away from the cultural, intellectual, and professional heart of Manhattan. Wagner’s 2,175 students benefit from practical learning experiences throughout the city grounded in a broad-based liberal arts curriculum, with 35 academic majors, 25 minors, and 14 interdisciplinary minors to choose from.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the city for the best deep-dish pizza, food festivals that’ll ignite your taste buds, outdoor concerts and sporting events for your utmost entertainment, and much more. If you want everything a big city has to offer but would like to escape once in a while, Chicago is just a hop, skip, and a jump to the Great Lakes. Check out these colleges and universities in the Windy City for a college experience that will blow you away!
Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute is a private Christian university on Chicago’s North Side. Students can choose from 20 areas of study and gain a foundation in Bible and Theology as well as explore their passions through 40 student organizations focused on leading, learning, and serving. Moody’s location gives students the opportunity to earn a degree and gain experience both inside and outside the classroom through its career development and ministry offerings that broaden your opportunities after graduation.
North Park University
North Park University is a private Christian university on the northwest side of Chicago. The University is proud to educate students from diverse backgrounds, with 42% of the student body identifying as people of color. North Park’s unique Catalyst 606 program capitalizes on its location in the city with experiential learning opportunities for students to develop valuable skills in conjunction with the curriculum, which includes more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a comprehensive university just seven miles south of the city’s downtown area. UChicago’s Core Curriculum is the perfect foundation for any of the University’s 50 majors and more than 40 minors, enhanced by undergraduate research opportunities in more than 160 institutes and centers across the city. Students have a plethora of ways to explore and learn in Chicago through internships, sporting and cultural events, and more.
Los Angeles, California
LA has big-city excitement with a laid-back Southern California vibe. Known for its entertainment industry, diverse neighborhoods, arts and culture, beautiful weather, and access to beaches and mountains, the city offers students plenty to experience beyond the classroom. If you’re looking to pursue your academic goals in a creative, energetic city with seemingly endless opportunities to explore, consider these colleges and universities in Los Angeles.
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University is a private Christian institution located in Azusa, California, just 20 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Home to more than 3,000 undergraduates, APU offers 70 bachelor’s degree programs and maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio to foster intentional faculty mentorship. Students engage in meaningful learning through study abroad programs, local internships, and over 50 ministry and service opportunities, preparing them to make a positive real-world impact in their chosen fields.
Mount Saint Mary’s University
Mount Saint Mary’s University is a private Catholic institution with two distinct campuses across Los Angeles. As the only women's university in LA, MSMU offers its 2,300+ students more than 30 majors and 45 minors supported by a tight-knit 8:1 student-faculty ratio. Its traditional Chalon Campus overlooks Santa Monica, while the Doheny Campus resides near downtown LA, providing students direct access to the professional networks, cultural venues, and diverse learning opportunities of the city.
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is a private Christian institution located in Malibu, California, just 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Set on an 830-acre oceanfront campus, Pepperdine offers its 3,300+ undergraduate students 82 degree programs supported by a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. Over 67% of undergraduates participate in international study abroad programs. Students enjoy a vibrant campus life with 110+ clubs and NCAA Division I athletics while benefiting from the career, cultural, and internship resources of nearby Los Angeles.
Houston, Texas
Houston has big-city energy with a distinctly Texas personality. Known for its diverse culture, thriving arts and food scenes, major industries, and sprawling neighborhoods, the city offers students plenty to explore beyond campus. If you’re looking for abundant academic opportunities paired with the excitement and career connections of a major metropolitan area, consider these colleges and universities in Houston.
Houston Christian University
Houston Christian University is a private, church-affiliated institution located in the heart of southwest Houston, Texas. Offering approximately 2,400 undergraduates over 60 degree programs, HCU provides a personalized learning environment backed by a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. Students benefit from faith-integrated academics, vibrant campus ministry, and hands-on learning opportunities across business, education, nursing, and STEM fields, all while enjoying direct access to the career, cultural, and internship advantages of the nation’s fourth-largest city.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix pairs big-city opportunities with the natural beauty and sunshine of the Southwest. Known for its desert scenery, outdoor recreation, arts and culture, and growing metropolitan energy, the area gives students plenty to explore beyond campus. If you’re looking for a college experience that combines academics with an active lifestyle and distinctive desert setting, consider these colleges and universities in the Phoenix area.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university renowned for its culture of innovation, commitment to accessibility, and focus on sustainable futures. Serving more than 65,000 undergraduate students, ASU operates four major campuses across the metropolitan Phoenix area, alongside academic locations in Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and London. Students benefit from comprehensive academic programs, robust campus career development services, extensive financial aid opportunities, and vibrant campus living options designed to foster real-world impact.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Did you know before DC was the nation’s capital that the federal government congregated in Philadelphia? It was where the Constitution was signed and is generally home to a lot of important historical events. If you’re looking for an academic home with a rich background and a lot of opportunities, check out these schools in Philly—the city where freedom rings.
Haverford College
Haverford College is a private liberal arts college in Haverford, Pennsylvania—only eight miles from downtown Philadelphia. Haverford’s 1,400+ students pursue more than 30 majors in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences with the benefits of a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The city of Philadelphia has a significant impact on the student experience both on and off campus as the urban environment is rich with service, career, and internship opportunities as well as nationally recognized sports, restaurants, art exhibits, and more.
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio blends big-city opportunities with a rich cultural heritage and unmistakable Texas character. Known for its historic landmarks, lively arts and food scenes, and warm, welcoming atmosphere, the city gives students plenty to experience beyond campus. If you’re looking for a college experience that combines academics with history, culture, and plenty to explore, consider these colleges and universities in the San Antonio area.
University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word is a private, religiously affiliated liberal arts university situated on a 200-acre campus founded in 1881 in San Antonio, Texas. Known for its strong commitment to community service and academic diversity, UIW offers students a supportive environment combined with global study opportunities. The university's vibrant metropolitan setting provides undergraduates with ample access to cultural events, professional internships, and engaging extracurricular activities to enrich their academic journey.
These aren’t the only major cities in the US with amazing colleges and universities. Check out some of the other most popular places in the nation in our College City lists and rankings.
