Iona University

Key Highlights

• Private nonprofit Catholic university founded in 1940
• Renamed from Iona College to Iona University in 2022
• MSCHE-accredited with bachelor's and master's degrees in scope
• Two campuses in New Rochelle and Bronxville, New York

Student Life & Environment

Student life is centered primarily in New Rochelle, where students can participate in more than 100 clubs, organizations, and student programs. The university also offers student government, performing arts, Greek life, club and intramural sports, ministry and service activities, and NCAA Division I athletics. The LaPenta Student Union contains dining, gathering and study areas, organization space, administrative offices, and an interfaith prayer room. Housing is available across the two campuses, but placement depends on class standing and availability. Iona says incoming first-year students are typically assigned to East, Loftus, or Rice halls in New Rochelle. Other New Rochelle residences serve upper-level and some graduate students, while Bohm Hall provides traditional-style housing in Bronxville. The housing office should confirm current eligibility, room type, meal-plan obligations, accessibility, and availability before a student pays a deposit. Support functions include residential-life staff, commuter and off-campus services, counseling and health services, campus safety, career development, and student-success services. The two-campus arrangement means students should consider where their classes, activities, housing, and support offices will be located. A shuttle connects New Rochelle and Bronxville, reducing but not eliminating the planning required for cross-campus travel.

Location & Surroundings

Iona's main address is 715 North Avenue in New Rochelle, a Westchester County city north of New York City. The Bronxville campus is at 171 White Plains Road and lies approximately three miles from the main campus. The university operates its Gael Express shuttle between the two sites, so applicants should check the current timetable when comparing housing and programs based on different campuses. New Rochelle offers an urban-suburban base with local shops, restaurants, services, and access to Long Island Sound. Metro-North rail connects the city with Manhattan. The university describes its campuses as about 20 miles north of Midtown, making New York City's cultural institutions and employment market accessible without placing students in Manhattan itself. Travel time varies by station, destination, and service pattern. The Bronxville site is near the walkable village of Bronxville, whose Metro-North station also provides Manhattan service. A student choosing Iona should assess the location at the program level: the main social and administrative hub is in New Rochelle, while some health-sciences facilities and other activities are in Bronxville. Commuters should also investigate parking rules and last-mile transport rather than relying only on regional proximity.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–27, Iona publishes full-time undergraduate tuition of $47,960 and mandatory fees of $2,210. Its estimated cost of attendance is $73,016 for both university residents and students living off campus, including estimated books, living expenses, transport, and personal costs. The commuter estimate is $56,520. These are planning figures rather than a guaranteed net price; optional charges, health insurance, course loads above 18 credits, and program-specific fees can change the bill. Nursing students in their junior and senior years have an additional published program fee. Domestic students seeking need-based aid should submit the FAFSA using school code 002737. Iona lists April 15 before the relevant fall term as the priority FAFSA deadline for incoming first-year students. New undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit aid, but students should compare the complete award letter, renewal conditions, borrowing, and likely annual increases rather than focusing only on the scholarship amount. Career support includes individual coaching, internship and job assistance, graduate-school planning, employer events, and career-development technology. For 2024–25 bachelor's recipients, Iona reports a 91% outcome rate among graduates with known outcomes, covering employment, continuing education, or service within six months. The knowledge rate was 78%, and only 31% completed the six-month survey; the university supplemented responses with institutional records, National Student Clearinghouse information, career-development research, and other sources. This context matters when interpreting the headline result, which is not a salary guarantee or an outcome for every graduate.