Pace University

With an emphasis on student-centered learning and close mentorship, Pace University offers students a liberal arts education in two New York locations. With opportunities in close proximity to the theaters of Broadway, students describe the performing arts department at Pace as "its own entity. Everyone is very creative and talented, [and] passionate about what they do." One student particularly enjoys the firsthand experiences offered at Pace: "I take a lot of studio classes for my major, so while they are three hours long ... I get to have fun learning with hands-on experience." Other programs also earn raves, with one student enthusing: "As a nursing major, we utilize the simulation lab often and when I go there, I am able to practice certain skills ... and gets me excited to eventually become [a nurse]." Professional experiences are a favorite across majors on campus, whether that's "advertising with a real-world client" or "at an on-campus business run by students."

While faculty on campus do "an incredible job setting students up for success and igniting passions within their field," students appreciate that many of them are also "working professionals, [which adds] so much extra knowledge to courses." A second-year student agrees, saying "Our professors all reference their own experience in the field to teach us 'insider information.' This is exceptionally helpful in my health science/public health major, since I get to hear a lot of what these professors had wished they knew going into the field."

To describe the diverse, inclusive atmosphere at Pace that they love so much, a third-year student notes "Walking around the campus, you can see everyone...being themselves: dressed in a riot of different colors, styles, personalities coming together in different groups, forming bonds in their differences." Another senior characterizes the atmosphere as "a diverse group of students from all over the world. This makes the community lively, culturally diverse, and exciting." It also makes for an exciting and open place for these "creative, individualistic artists... the talents are limitless." Both Pace campuses are described as "welcoming" environments where students "take care of each other" students appreciate the "growing LGBTQIA+ voice at my campus" and the overall friendliness shown across the school. In essence, Pace offers a "tight-knit atmosphere...Students are willing to connect due to our intimate population. You can't go anywhere without exchanging a hello or a smile with someone you know."

With two relatively close undergraduate campuses-one in Westchester and the other in downtown Manhattan-Pace students can pick between the bucolic university setting and the heart of a thriving city. The 200-acre Westchester campus offers a range of outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing. Students love that "We have lots of different clubs to ensure that there is a chance for everyone to be included," like writing for the school newspaper, singing in the a capella club, or moving with the dance and hip-hop groups. Westchester students particularly enjoy "watching the basketball and football games, and interacting all around campus, especially during spring semester."

Students at the NYC campus enjoy all the city has to offer, including "going to parks, visiting museums, [and] finding new places to eat." Students list drag brunches and food truck days as favorite events, and Greek life and cultural groups such as Hillel are also popular on campus. To the delight of many students, "Pace gives cheap tickets to Broadway shows [and] sports games."