University of Mount Saint Vincent

Key Highlights

• Founded in 1847 by the Sisters of Charity of New York
• Renamed University of Mount Saint Vincent on January 1, 2024
• MSCHE accreditation reaffirmed in June 2025
• Private nonprofit institution with bachelor’s and master’s credentials

Student Life & Environment

The Riverdale campus supports both residential and commuter students. The university reports six residence halls with wireless access, lounges, kitchens and study areas. Its facilities also include science and nursing laboratories, a student activities center, library, theater and dance spaces, media and art facilities, athletic areas and campus dining. For 2026–27, housing selection is available to eligible full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates in good financial and conduct standing, subject to space and university procedures. The official student organization directory includes academic and pre-professional groups, cultural associations, community-service organizations, student government, a campus activities board, performing groups and recreation clubs. Full-time undergraduates generally may participate, although individual groups can have continuing-membership expectations. Cultural organizations include groups focused on African, Black, Caribbean, Filipino, Latin and Muslim student communities. Athletics and recreation provide another route into campus life. The university reports 13 varsity sports competing in NCAA Division III’s Skyline Conference, along with a fitness center and other athletic facilities. Student Affairs also includes campus ministry, counseling, health services, safety, residence life and programming for commuters. Commuter assistants help first-year commuters adjust to college demands and campus involvement, and lockers are available to full-time commuters. Students should confirm current team rosters, club activity and residence availability directly, since participation and housing inventory can change by term.

Location & Surroundings

The main campus is at 6301 Riverdale Avenue in Riverdale, a residential section of the northwestern Bronx. The university describes a 70-acre setting of lawns and wooded hills overlooking the Hudson River, about 12 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. This gives students a campus environment that is visually and spatially distinct from a dense downtown campus while keeping New York City’s cultural, professional and educational resources within reach. Location can be a practical advantage for internships, field experiences and off-campus activities, particularly in business, media, public service, healthcare and education. Travel time, however, depends on the destination and transit connection; students should test the commute to likely internship sites rather than interpret “minutes from Manhattan” as a uniform journey. The campus is near mass-transit options, and the university publishes separate shuttle and transit information. Riverdale’s setting may appeal to students seeking residential campus life inside New York City. Applicants should also consider typical city expenses, late-night transportation and whether they prefer the quieter northern Bronx environment to a central-Manhattan location. Some professional and graduate instruction occurs at additional New York-area sites, so those students should verify the location attached to their specific program.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–27, the university publishes full-time undergraduate tuition of $46,500 per year for 12 to 18 credits per semester. Mandatory listed annual charges for full-time students include an $800 technology fee, $420 student activity fee and $700 academic service fee. Student health insurance is listed at $3,006 but may be waived with documentation of appropriate coverage. Shared-occupancy housing and food are $16,200 per year; single or suite occupancy is $18,600. Books, transportation, personal spending and program-specific costs can add to the total, and nursing students may face substantial clinical and equipment expenses. Students should compare these published charges with a personalized financial-aid offer rather than judging affordability from sticker price alone. The 2026–27 catalog says first-time aid applicants must file the FAFSA. Mount Saint Vincent offers academic scholarships and need-based institutional grants, while eligible students may also use federal and state aid. Scholarship continuation can require full-time enrollment and a specified cumulative GPA. International students are considered for merit scholarships, but they must document sufficient funds for the remaining cost before an I-20 is issued. Career preparation includes advising and supervised internships. The university’s standard credit-bearing internship carries three credits for 120 hours, requires approval by the academic department and career office, and can be taken in different academic sessions. New York City broadens the potential employer and placement pool, but no placement, salary or employment outcome should be assumed. Students should ask for current program-level outcomes, especially in licensed professions, and compare likely borrowing with entry-level earnings in their intended field.