Iona University Featured in The Princeton Review’s Best 390 Colleges for 2025
Only about 15 percent of America’s 2,600 four-year colleges are profiled
Inclusion in this highly influential publication reflects ongoing momentum as Iona continues to expand programming and grow new student enrollment.
New Rochelle & Bronxville, N.Y. – Iona University is proud to announce it has once again been included in The Princeton Review’s highly influential national publication of “The Best 390 Colleges,” signifying it is one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduates.
Released today, only about 15 percent of America’s 2,600 four-year colleges are profiled in the 2025 edition. The Princeton Review made its selection based in part on an 89-question survey of 168,000 students across the country, providing insights into academics, professors, student life, campus culture, clubs, extracurricular activities and much more.
"We are thrilled to once again be recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s top colleges, especially as it is a direct reflection of our students’ voices and experiences at Iona," said Iona President Seamus Carey, Ph.D. "Our commitment to providing a rigorous academic environment, coupled with a vibrant campus life and close-knit community, empowers students to grow both personally and professionally.”
“At Iona, we aim to foster a culture that not only challenges students, but also supports them as they strive toward their highest potential,” Carey added. “Thank you to The Princeton Review and to everyone who contributes to making Iona an exceptional place.”
FIND YOUR FIT AT IONA
Each year, The Princeton Review aims to offer invaluable guidance for students as they search for their “best-fit” school. The Princeton Review chooses colleges for the book based on data it annually collects from surveys of 2,000 college administrators about their institutions’ academic offerings, as well as data from its student surveys.
“We salute Iona University for its outstanding academics, and many other impressive offerings. We recommend it as an ideal choice for students searching for their ‘best-fit’ college,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review's editor-in-chief and lead author of “The Best 390 Colleges.”
The news comes as Iona continues to grow new student enrollment and expand opportunities for students to thrive. Since 2019, new student enrollment is up over 40 percent at Iona.
Michael P. Hegarty '66, chair of the Iona Board of Trustees, expressed optimism about Iona’s trajectory and the success of its students. Both inside and outside the classroom, Iona has worked to expand opportunities, from distinguished academic programs and exceptional career outcomes to athletics, performing arts and service-learning opportunities around the world.
“Iona was established with a mission to provide a transformative educational experience, grounded in the values of Blessed Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers,” Hegarty said. “As the University continues to grow, so do the possibilities for our students. Thank you to The Princeton Review for continuing to affirm that Iona is one of the best institutions of higher education in the nation.”
ACADEMICS
According to the book’s editors at The Princeton Review, students say that from their first to final year at Iona University, they are welcomed into an "inclusive community" that some say has "the feeling of home."
Undergraduates appreciate that the school has "a lot of resources available" and "a huge network of support that will allow you to pursue your dreams." They also note that there are "opportunities for internships and job offers since the school works so hard to have companies come in and talk with the students," and that being "so close to the city" helps.
When it comes to academics, undergrads are quick to note that "Iona is renowned for their business school," which gets students early access to real-world companies, doing things like creating "an integrated marketing communication plan [which allows] us to take what we learn in the classroom and apply it to the real world."
Students further say that no matter the class, “professors here are passionate about the subject material they are teaching.” Additionally, they “do an excellent job at preparing students for their intended field of study and providing a meaningful learning experience.” Perhaps most importantly, it’s evident that they “want to see you succeed at Iona.”
STUDENT BODY
At Iona, "respect and dignity are always a priority," so it is 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 by saying, "I've met some of my best friends through asking a friendly face for help in many different areas at Iona. 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."
CAMPUS LIFE
On both the academic and recreational side, students say that Iona looks to make sure “there is never a boring or dull moment here.”
The book’s editors at The Princeton Review say students might see this play out in study spaces like the library's “Harry Potteresque” room or the school's daily activity hour, a dedicated period from noon to 1 p.m. that "allows students to take a break from schoolwork, meet new people, and join in on an extracurricular activity."
In general, student engagement services offer many clubs and programs that are not only "exciting and interactive [but that] bring the student body closer together." For those professionally motivated, students say, "I love how they create opportunities...to network with alumni and participate in interesting career chats."
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."
THE MOMENTUM CONTINUES
The momentum continues to rise at Iona – and students and families are taking notice. Driven in part of by new academic programs and degrees coupled with expanded opportunities to “Learn Outside the Lines,” not only has new student enrollment continued to climb, but the Class of 2028 is also one of Iona’s strongest, most selective and most diverse group of students.
Iona is a master’s-granting Catholic institution founded in 1940 and inspired by the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers.
The University’s two picturesque campuses – in New Rochelle and Bronxville, N.Y. – are both just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan.
Established in 2021, Iona’s Bronxville campus not only includes additional athletic facilities and performing arts spaces; it also is notably home to the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences and the state-of-the-art Kelly Center for Health Sciences. This premier new school offers a variety of undergraduate and advanced degrees in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals, including top clinical placements and full-time employment opportunities after graduation.
Connecting to its Irish legacy, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate, earlier this year. The next group of students is set to live and learn in Westport in May 2025.
Continuing to elevate the student experience in New Rochelle, a brand-new dining hall and student union experience is currently underway. Adjoining the Murphy Green in the heart of campus, the new facility is set to open by Spring 2025.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs across three schools: the School of Arts & Science, LaPenta School of Business and the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences. In addition, the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation offers dynamic degree programs and is available to all students across academic disciplines.
Iona also recently launched the Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning, a hub for institutional innovation, faculty development and thought leadership with a focus on Catholic education. The Gabelli Center’s first focus has been AI@Iona, which supports engagement with the powerful and rapidly evolving capabilities of artificial intelligence.
At Iona, students not only obtain a robust liberal arts education, but also gain unparalleled access to top-tier internship opportunities throughout the New York-metropolitan area and beyond. These internships are a great way for students to build confidence, explore their career interests and gain an inside look into their chosen industries.
Herolinda Decaj ’25, for instance, dedicated her summer break interning for Merrill Lynch in Greenwich, Conn., where she worked in private wealth management and now will continue her internship as a seasonal client associate until June 2025. She credits Iona’s small class sizes and engaged faculty and staff for helping her realize her goals.
“I believe the most distinctive advantage I gained from my Iona experience is that I have felt seen and heard,” she said. “The LaPenta School of Business also offers an abundance of resources to prepare students for their future careers. Most importantly, events like Career Chats and C-Suite talks have been extremely motivational. Iona alumni frequently return to campus to share invaluable advice about their professional journeys, which has been incredibly inspiring. Overall, my Iona experience has given me the knowledge, connections and confidence to excel in my career.”
In addition, Iona’s 4+1 programs empower students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in just five years, reducing time and tuition costs. Students in the dual degree programs still receive all the benefits of an Iona education, but at an accelerated pace to begin a promising career sooner. Explore all five-year programs today!
LEARN OUTSIDE THE LINES
Outside of the classroom, meanwhile, Iona boasts 24 NCAA Division I varsity sports, including its two newest teams – men's lacrosse and women’s acrobatics and tumbling – as well as women’s golf launching for the 2025-26 academic year.
Iona students can also join over 80 student clubs and leadership organizations spanning an array of interests, including active fraternities and sororities. Iona has a robust club sports program – featuring 16 new teams and including a championship esports team – plus a thriving performing arts program and wide range of service opportunities through the Office of Mission & Ministry.
All programs are geared toward developing new and lasting friendships while also building leadership skills and enhancing student engagement across campus.
Lucas Haddad ’24, ’25MBA echoed this sentiment, saying “the most distinctive advantage I have gained from my Iona experience is my leadership skills.”
Hailing from North Attleboro, Mass., Haddad completed an internship at PwC last summer, and this year he enjoyed an audit internship at Ernst & Young, one of the big four accounting firms.
He is also a member of the Swimming & Diving Team, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Beta Alpha Psi Honor Society, Accounting Club and the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program, which connects students and alumni for career guidance and mentoring.
“Whether it was leading in my sport or during group projects in the classroom, I feel I have grown significantly [as a leader], which will translate into my career,” said Haddad, who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Iona and will complete his MBA with a concentration in business analytics next year. “Iona has prepared me for the job market because it has helped me improve my time management skills and build my network tremendously through alumni engagement, mainly in the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program.”
Iona University is included regularly in reports and lists created by Colleges of Distinction, U.S. News & World Report, College Factual and more. Learn more about why these national organizations recognize Iona as a leader in the world of higher education.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona is widely recognized in prestigious rankings, including The Princeton Review’s 2025 national list of “The Best 390 Colleges” and The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s “2024 Best Colleges in America,” which ranked Iona at #66 in the nation overall and #8 in the nation among Catholic schools. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just six percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2023.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian. Connecting to its Irish heritage, the University also recently announced it is expanding abroad with a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.