Top 5 Reasons We’re Excited About What’s Ahead at Iona University
The momentum continues as Iona unveils dynamic new degrees, facilities and extracurricular opportunities!
New Rochelle & Bronxville, N.Y. – From new academic programs in high demand to a vibrant campus life featuring state-of-the-art facilities, Iona University is focused on what matters most: student success. Rooted in a tradition of faith, service and opportunity, Iona offers a close-knit, caring community where students are empowered to learn as they live – with purpose.
Recognized as one of the nation’s top colleges for 2025 by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes, Iona recently welcomed its largest class in over 20 years. And when it comes to return on investment, Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationwide – proving it pays to go to Iona.
There’s never been a better time to find your fit at Iona University. To learn more, explore Freshman Admissions, email admissions@iona.edu or call (800) 231-IONA.
Here are the top five reasons we’re excited about what’s ahead at Iona University!
#1: New Student Union & Upper Green
Iona’s fully renovated dining hall and student lounge is about to become a central hub of student life in New Rochelle. Whether you’re grabbing lunch, meeting friends, or catching up on coursework, this space has been designed to feel like home – for commuters and residents alike.
Featuring 14,000 square feet of modern dining upstairs, students will enjoy a variety of fresh, made-to-order options enhanced by panoramic views of both the Murphy Green and Mazzella Field. On the ground floor, another 6,000 square feet of new lounge space will offer cozy seating, TVs, study areas, a fireplace and an on-site Starbucks to keep the campus fueled.
For those seeking a quieter, more reflective setting, Iona is also developing a new Upper Green near the Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel, offering a peaceful setting for outdoor gathering, reflection and contemplation.
#2: New Academic Programs in High Demand
Iona’s academic offerings continue to expand across high-growth industries, preparing students for success both in the classroom and beyond. From business, entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence to health care, the arts, sciences and more, Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Also rising in popularity are Iona’s 4+1 dual-degree programs, giving students the chance to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years. This enables students to save time and money on tuition as they accelerate their promising career opportunities.
Iona also paves the way to top-tier internships and job placements – especially given its location just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. Recent student internships have included roles with IBM, Major League Baseball, NBCUniversal, PepsiCo, HEINEKEN® USA, Procter & Gamble, Merrill Lynch and Ernst & Young (EY), just to name a few.
Plus, with nearly 20 study abroad and service-learning opportunities – ranging from Ghana, Poland and Peru to Costa Rica, Italy, Ireland and more – Iona students are empowered to learn outside the lines of the classroom, leading as they serve and learning as they grow.
#3: New Clubs, Sports & Performing Arts
It’s no surprise The Wall Street Journalranked Iona #1 in New York for student experience in 2024. With 24 NCAA Division I teams and 100 clubs and leadership organizations, Iona offers students myriad ways to stay active and engaged.
For those who enjoy working up a sweat, Iona’s Club Sports program now features 19 teams, including exciting new additions like wrestling, women’s flag football and chess. These join popular options like rugby, basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, lacrosse, field hockey and Iona’s MAAC Championship-winning esports team, among others.
Iona’s Spirit & Performing Arts groups are equally dynamic for those who prefer the spotlight. Students can get involved with groups like the nationally acclaimed pipe band, dance team, Irish dance team and pep band, all of which perform throughout the year both at campus events and beyond. There’s also The Iona Players theater group and the newly formed NightinGaels a cappella ensemble, further enhancing the Iona student experience.
#4: A New Era for Iona Basketball
Big things are happening on the court at Iona. Recruiting from the NBA, Iona men’s basketball recently welcomed its 16th head coach, Dan Geriot, a seasoned professional with nearly a decade of experience with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans. Known for his strong focus on player development, Geriot brings elite-level insight and energy to the Iona Gaels.
With a record 14 MAAC tournament titles, Iona remains the winningest team in conference history. And when it comes to game day? The energy at the Hynes Athletics Center is unmatched. It’s Gael Nation at full volume – and there’s nothing like being a part of it.
#5: New & Renovated Residence Halls
By popular demand, student residential housing is also growing at Iona. Opening Fall 2025, a new residential option will be available on Iona’s new 28-acre Bronxville campus, home to the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences.
This fully renovated, high-end residence hall offers spacious double and triple rooms, healthy dining at the Bronxville Café, access to fitness facilities, on-site laundry, designated parking and more – all just four miles from New Rochelle. The Village of Bronxville, meanwhile, offers quaint dining, arts and entertainment in one of the country’s most sought-after zip codes.
Freshmen at Iona typically live on the 45-acre New Rochelle campus, including East, Rice or Loftus halls, which have also been recently renovated with new furniture, flooring and updated amenities to create a warm, welcoming space from day one.
No matter where you live on campus, Iona’s residential communities offer a safe, supportive environment where students can grow, connect and thrive over the course of their time as Gaels.
There’s never been a better time to experience all that Iona has to offer. Come see the energy of campus life for yourself—and find your fit at Iona today! To learn more, explore Freshman Admissions, email admissions@iona.edu or call (800) 231-IONA.
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 also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” 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 one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. 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.