Iona University Featured In Princeton Review’s Best 390 Colleges 2025

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Iona University has been named to The Princeton Review’s national list of "The Best 390 Colleges" for the second year in a row.

The honor, announced on Tuesday, marks the second year in a row the Westchester school was named as one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduates. Only about 15 percent of America’s 2,600 four-year colleges are profiled in the book.

The Princeton Review made its selection based in part on an 85-question survey of 165,000 students across the country. The surveys were designed to provide insights into academics, professors, student life, campus culture, clubs, dorms and extracurricular activities. The authors also collected data from 2,000 college administrators about their institutions' academic offerings.

"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," Iona President Seamus Carey said. "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."

Each year, The Princeton Review publishes the guidance for students as they search for their "best-fit" school.

"We salute Iona University for its outstanding academics, and many other impressive offerings," Princeton Review's editor-in-chief and lead author of "The Best 390 Colleges," Rob Franek said. "We recommend it as an ideal choice for students searching for their 'best-fit' college."

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."

"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."

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."

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.

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."

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 university’s two campuses, in New Rochelle and Bronxville, are both within 20 miles of midtown Manhattan.