A community of unconventional
thinkers
in a beautiful place.
Purchase College
About
If you stand out, this is where you’ll fit in.
Purchase College was founded in 1967 as the “cultural gem of the SUNY system” on a progressive concept for a public university: that the arts and the liberal arts, indispensable to each other and to an enlightened society, should inform and inspire one another on a single campus.
Nearly six decades later, the same concept lies at the core of our curriculum and culture.
We’re a top 10 public liberal arts college in the SUNY system (U.S. News & World Report, 2026), home to professional training in dance, film, music, and theatre and visual arts alongside rigorous programs in the liberal arts and sciences.
Our 500-acre campus in Westchester County—35 miles north of New York City—thrives on creativity and cross-disciplinary inquiry, making it perfect for anyone who prefers to color outside the lines.
New at Purchase College
The college holds the #8 spot on US News & World Report’s Top Public Schools list among National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2026.
engage with us
what we value
Sustainability
Ranging in scale—light bulbs and plastic bottles to entire buildings—our sustainability efforts represent a core value.
Recent Sustainable Efforts
A Culture of Inclusivity
Feel the raw energy created by the amazing blend ofpoeple who unabashedly express themselves however they choose, in a judgement-free environment.
Campus Life
Proof of Purchase
Devin Loh ’19 is a member of the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Originally from Fanwood, NJ, Loh joined Graham 2 in 2019 and the company in 2021.
Top Story
The magazine recognizes the Economics alum for his wealth management expertise and for his community service.
Latest Stories
Latest Rankings and Ratings
Purchase College is proudly recognized by a variety of publications, including US News and World Report,ThePrinceton Review, and The Hollywood Reporter.
Nationally Ranked for Graduates Who Earn PhDs
According to the National Science Foundation survey.
Fiske Guide to Colleges 2025: “Unique Within the SUNY System”
Purchase noted for academics, sense of community, engaged professors, and raw energy.
Study the Sciences
Beyond the Brick
Sophia chose Purchase for all it offers. She’s majoring in biology, but as a musician and dancer, she was drawn to the creative culture.
She’s learned scanning electron microscopy and how to use a Min-Ion handheld DNA sequencing device, cutting edge technology that allows genome study anywhere you can take a laptop.
Learn More about Study the Sciences - Beyond the Brick
“I feel prepared to go into whatever field I like.”
Latest Stories
The 25 Best Drama Schools in the World
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Purchase named among best in the world.
MUGLER CREATORS Program Shines a Light on Purchase
Purchase College is incredibly honored to be part of the newly launched MUGLER CREATORS: LIGHTS ON CREATIVE PEOPLE.
Billboard Magazine Touts Studio Production Program
Purchase ranks among some of “the best academic programs” for audio engineering.