Iona University

About Iona University

Iona opened in 1940 under the name Iona College. Its founders were members of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, and the institution continues to describe itself as a Catholic university shaped by that educational tradition. It officially became Iona University in 2022. This religious identity appears in its emphasis on educating the whole person, ethical leadership, service, and community engagement, although students should consult the university directly about any faith-related curricular or participation expectations relevant to their program. The university operates two Westchester County campuses. New Rochelle is the main campus and contains the central undergraduate facilities, residence halls, student union, and many academic and administrative services. The Bronxville campus, located a few miles away, is associated particularly with nursing and health sciences and also supports performing arts, athletics, and housing. A university shuttle connects the campuses. Academically, Iona is a bachelor's- and master's-granting institution rather than a doctoral university. Its principal academic units are the School of Arts & Science, LaPenta School of Business, and NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences. This combination may suit students who want liberal arts and science choices alongside professionally oriented fields in a smaller private-university setting. Prospective students should verify the exact campus, delivery format, accreditation requirements, and start term for their intended program.

For first-year entry in fall 2027, Iona's current admissions page lists binding Early Decision on December 1, 2026; non-binding Early Action I and Health Sciences Priority on December 15, 2026; non-binding Early Action II on January 15, 2027; and Regular Decision on February 15, 2027. The listed enrollment-deposit deadline is May 1, 2027. These dates apply to first-year admission and should not be assumed for transfer, graduate, or later entry terms. First-year applicants may apply through the Common Application. Iona requires a high-school transcript and requests a recommendation; its review considers coursework, grades, extracurricular involvement, leadership, and other evidence of readiness. An admissions interview is optional. The university states that first-year admission is test-optional, so SAT or ACT results are not required and may be submitted when an applicant believes they strengthen the file. International applicants should follow the dedicated international process and, after admission, provide the financial and identity documentation required for an I-20. English-proficiency and program-specific requirements should be verified directly because the general admissions page does not establish a single threshold applicable to every applicant. Graduate admission is separate, uses program-dependent requirements, and is described as rolling with multiple start dates. Applicants to health, education, and other regulated programs should check supplemental prerequisites and priority dates before applying.

Iona organizes teaching across the School of Arts & Science, LaPenta School of Business, and NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences. The official program directory covers undergraduate and graduate study spanning humanities, social sciences, sciences, business, education, communication, computing, nursing, and other health-related areas. Applicants should use that directory to distinguish majors, minors, certificates, and graduate degrees; not every subject is offered at every credential level or campus. The academic model emphasizes applied and cross-disciplinary learning. The School of Arts & Science supplies broad liberal arts, STEM, and professional pathways. The business school focuses on business education, while nursing and health-sciences programs use the Bronxville campus and its Kelly Center for Health Sciences. Iona also maintains institutes connected with entrepreneurship, early American history, and environmental and spiritual inquiry. Program-specific professional accreditation, clinical placements, licensure preparation, and progression rules should be checked separately, especially in nursing, education, and allied-health fields. Learning outside the classroom includes internships, service-learning, and international study. Current study-abroad formats include semester, summer, and shorter faculty-led opportunities, with offerings varying by term. Some programs allow students to earn credit toward their degrees. Advising is important before committing because eligibility, credit applicability, travel costs, and availability can differ. Institutionally, MSCHE approves Iona to offer bachelor's and master's degrees and distance education; its published scope does not include a doctoral credential.

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.