SUNY College at Old Westbury

Key Highlights

• Public research university with state support
• Suburban campus with easy access to city resources
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Campus life at Old Westbury reflects the commuter-heavy nature of the student population. Many students work part-time or full-time jobs while attending classes, limiting time spent on campus outside scheduled courses. However, the college has worked to build community through clubs, intramural sports, and campus events designed around student schedules. Residence halls house several hundred students in suite-style living arrangements. Resident students report forming tight communities since they represent a smaller, more connected group. The campus recreation center provides fitness facilities, and Division III athletics give students opportunities for competitive sports without the time demands of Division I programs. Men and women compete in basketball, cross country, soccer, and swimming, with games drawing modest but enthusiastic crowds. Student clubs cover academic disciplines, cultural organizations, and special interests. The Student Government Association manages activity funding and advocates for student concerns to administration. Greek life does not exist on campus, which some students appreciate as reducing social pressure while others miss. The campus location in suburban Long Island means social life beyond campus requires cars, though shuttle services run to nearby shopping and the Long Island Rail Road station.

Location & Surroundings

Old Westbury sits in Nassau County on Long Island, roughly 30 miles east of Manhattan in one of the wealthier suburban areas on the East Coast. The campus itself provides a green retreat, with woods, fields, and the historic Clark estate creating a pastoral setting that feels removed from suburban development. However, the surroundings include major shopping centers, corporate office parks, and the Gold Coast estates that once defined Long Island wealth. New York City remains accessible via the Long Island Rail Road, though the closest station in Westbury requires a shuttle or car ride from campus. The commute to Penn Station takes about an hour, making day trips for internships, cultural events, or job interviews practical. Long Island beaches sit within reasonable driving distance, with Jones Beach and Robert Moses State Park providing summer recreation. The climate follows typical Northeast patterns: cold winters with occasional significant snow, humid summers, and pleasant spring and fall seasons. Students without cars may find the location isolating since public transportation beyond the commuter rail is limited. Most off-campus students live with family in surrounding Long Island communities or share apartments in nearby towns where rents, while high by national standards, remain lower than in New York City itself.

Costs & Career Outcomes

As a SUNY institution, Old Westbury offers tuition rates that make four-year degrees genuinely affordable. New York State residents pay approximately 7,000 dollars in annual tuition and fees, among the lowest rates available for bachelor degree programs in the region. Out-of-state students pay roughly 17,000 dollars, still considerably below private university costs. Room and board for residential students adds approximately 14,000 dollars annually. Total cost of attendance for commuter students living at home can fall below 15,000 dollars yearly, making degree completion feasible for students with limited financial resources. Most students receive some form of financial aid, with packages combining federal grants, state grants, work-study opportunities, and institutional scholarships. The Excelsior Scholarship program covers tuition for qualifying New York families earning under the income threshold. Career preparation happens through internship placements, career counseling, and connections to regional employers. Accounting and business graduates find positions at Long Island firms and entry points to major accounting and consulting companies. Education graduates teach in Nassau and Suffolk County school districts. The alumni network, while smaller than at larger universities, maintains strong regional connections, with many graduates remaining on Long Island and in the New York metropolitan area throughout their careers. Graduate school placement supports students aiming for advanced degrees in education, social work, psychology, and other fields.

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