Iona University (IU)

Emerging as one of New York's most influential universities, Iona is where innovation meets opportunity. Here, students are encouraged to see beyond their horizons, find their passions, and forge their own paths. Iona is constantly evolving. Since acquiring a second campus in Bronxville, N.Y., it became home to a new premier school of health sciences in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation's top hospitals. Meanwhile, programming both inside and outside of the classroom continues to expand — all of which has contributed to a nearly 30 percent spike in new-student enrollment since 2019. Having gained University status in 2022, Iona continues to build upon its success as a school on the rise, recently announcing a new global campus in Westport, Ireland. The energy, momentum and Gael spirit is palpable on Iona's campuses.

Welcome to Iona University!

With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of over 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars. Founded in 1940, Iona is inspired by the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers, embodying opportunity, justice, and the liberating power of education. Building upon that mission, 99 percent of Iona freshmen are awarded merit scholarships and/or financial aid to help cultivate their talents while providing access to an affordable education.

Academic Excellence

Did you know The Wall Street Journal ranked Iona as the #66 Best College in America for 2024, including the #8 best Catholic college in the nation?

Iona is highly accredited, offering both undergraduate bachelor's degrees as well as master's degrees in the liberal arts, sciences, and business administration. Iona students can expect small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide range of academic programs within the School of Arts & Science, LaPenta School of Business, NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona's LaPenta School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, a prestigious recognition awarded to just five percent of business schools worldwide.

Best of Both Worlds

Iona's beautiful 45-acre campus in New Rochelle, N.Y., is only two miles from the Long Island Sound and 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. It offers a safe, engaged, and welcoming community with plenty to do, including theaters, parks, beaches, dining, nightlife, cultural activities, and more. Plus, you can hop on the Metro-North train and take a short ride to the heart of New York City! In addition, Iona's new campus in Bronxville, N.Y., just three miles from Iona's New Rochelle campus, adds cutting-edge simulation labs as well as additional athletic fields and performance spaces for student activities.

It Pays to Go to Iona

Did you know that 94 percent of Iona graduates are employed full-time or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation? Our graduates land jobs at renowned companies and go on to serve in leadership positions throughout their careers. That's one reason why Georgetown University's Center on Education and Workforce (CEW) ranked Iona in the top 4% nationally for return on investment. Iona also ranked in the top 14 percent of PayScale's top universities in nation for a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, Iona is included in Money's 2023 list of the Best Colleges in America, which combines quality and affordability.

Active Campus Life

Iona ranked #1 in student experience in New York in The Wall Street Journal's 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S., including the #4 most highly recommended college in the Northeast by students. Iona's vibrant, friendly campus offers endless ways to get involved, including performances, athletics, game nights, ministry organizations, and thriving Greek life. Iona is a Division I Athletics program with 23 varsity sports. Iona also competes on a club sports level with 13 new teams, including esports. In addition, Iona has created a second-to-none performing arts program for all students, regardless of major. Join one of our 80 active clubs, student groups, and organizations, or start your own to stay involved!

Mentorships & Internships

As a Gael, you are never alone on your journey. The Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program helps advance your personal and professional goals by providing access to Iona's network of more than 50,000 alumni across a wide range of industries. Iona's proximity to New York City also provides incredible opportunities for internships at some of the most impactful, innovative, and important businesses in the world.

Residential Life

Iona offers a variety of on-campus housing, including residence halls, suite-style housing, and apartments. All are equipped with access to cable, Wi-Fi, AC, laundry rooms, and lounges, and they're secured by a card access system, with extra security staffing at night.

Outside of the classroom, Iona students can join over 80 campus clubs and leadership organizations spanning an array of interests, including 10 fraternities and sororities. Iona also has a robust club sports program, including a championship esports team, as well as a thriving performing arts program and wide range of community service opportunities.

Notably, Iona boasts 21 varsity sports with two more coming next year — men's lacrosse and women's acrobatics & tumbling. Iona competes in the NCAA Division I Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Iona is renowned for its men's basketball program, which is New York's winningest team for over 25 years; and its men's cross country, MAAC Champions for 32 years straight.

The following is a list of Iona's varsity teams:
Men: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Rowing, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Track & Field, Water Polo. Lacrosse begins 2024-25.
Women: Basketball, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo. Acrobatics & Tumbling begins 2024-25.

Student Body

3,032 undergraduate students
589 graduate students
52% Female; 48% Male
78% In-State; 22% Out-of-State
36 states and territories represented in student body
49 counties of origin represented in student body

At Iona University, "respect and dignity are always a priority," so it's no surprise that undergrads speak very highly of their "warm and welcoming" peers. They see each other as "passionate, involved" individuals who are quick to "flash you a smile or hold open the door for you." One student elaborates, "I've met some of my best friends through asking a friendly face for help in many different areas at Iona. You are rarely judged and people genuinely want what's best for you." As another puts it, "The second I walked onto campus everyone made me feel like I belonged." Enrollees also note that the Catholic university attracts a "diverse range of students from different religious backgrounds" and "a lot of people from all over the world. [It] is nice to know that I can always learn something new about a different country." To those at Iona, the most important factor is how they join together to "care about their community and making a difference in the world." Beliefs like that are what lead some students to say their already impressive peers "are going to go far beyond what they expected."

There's plenty of homework at Iona University, so on both the academic and recreational side, Iona looks to make sure "there is never a boring or dull moment here." You might see this play out in study spaces like the library's "Harry Potter themed room," or the school's daily activity hour, a dedicated period from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. that "allows students to take a break from school work, meet new people, and join in on an extracurricular activity." In general, student engagement services offer many clubs and programs-everything from rugby to criminal justice-that are not only "exciting and interactive [but that] bring the student body closer together." For those professionally motivated, students say of clubs in accounting and finance: "I love how they create opportunities...to network with alumni and participate in interesting career chats." And for those looking for a Greek community, there are "fun events" like "Greek week where there's kickball and lip sync [performances]." Of course, even with all these activities, students sometimes need a change of scenery. That's where they can capitalize on the university's "proximity to NYC to spend time in Manhattan to experience the Big Apple nightlife and cultural outlets."