10 Best Football Colleges in New York in 2024

The best football colleges in New York are excellently spread across New York. This proves the state’s love for football and how much football education is prioritized in New York.

The love of football is second to none in New York as one of the most popular sports; college football plays an important part in shaping the full college experience for many students.

More so, student-athletes always value colleges prioritizing football programs as it allows them to compete on a bigger platform while pursuing higher education.

Partaking in college football as an athlete allows students to participate in national competitions with the view of getting scouted by top clubs.

If you are considering pursuing a football career, it is important to consider attending colleges that offer high-level football programs and academic opportunities.

Does New York Have Football Colleges?

Football is the most followed sport in New York; as such, there are provisions for football colleges to aid in the development of the football skills of young athletes. 

With the best football colleges having state-of-the-art sporting facilities, athletes are convinced to have a wholesome experience.

For Further Reading, check: 10 Best Football Colleges in South Carolina

How Many College Football Teams are in New York?

The state of New York has only three (3) FBS teams. The Syracuse Orange, Army Black Knights, and Buffalo Bulls are the college football teams in New York.

You would also find these helpful: 10 Best Football Colleges in Ohio

Does New York Have Ivy League Schools?

Absolutely. New York has only two (2) Ivy League schools. They include:

  • Columbia University (New York)
  • Cornell University (New York)

Also read, 10 Best Football Colleges in Illinois

What are the Best Football Schools in New York?

Are you encountering difficulty searching for the best football colleges suitable for building your footballing career?

Arranged in no particular order, here’s a list of the ten (10) best football colleges in New York. 

1. Syracuse University 

The Syracuse Orange is the athletic teams that represent Syracuse University. The school is a member of NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Coast Conference. The school’s mascot is known as Otto the Orange. 

Also, the University has a stadium that has a capacity of 49,250. With the provision of other adequate sporting facilities, Syracuse University stands as one of the idle football colleges for athletes.

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2. University at Buffalo, SUNY

The university’s sports team is known as the Buffalo Bulls. The Bulls compete in Division I FBS of the NCAA and are a Mid-American Conference (MAC) member.

Located in Buffalo, New York, the university is the only SUNY school to field a Division I FBS football team, which is the highest level of college football. 

In addition, because of its academic and athletic achievements, the University at Buffalo is consistently cited as the athletic flagship of the SUNY system.

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3. Colgate University 

Colgate University is ranked as one of the most beautiful campuses in New York due to its architectural designs. It is located in Hamilton, New York.

The university’s football team competes within the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The athletic teams are known as “Raiders”.

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4. Fordham University

This is one of the best universities for college football in New York. The Fordham Rams are the University’s sports team, and their colors are maroon and white.

The Rams play in the Patriot League of NCAA Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision in football.

 Located in Bronx, New York, the university has about four stadiums with other sports facilities necessary for developing the student athlete’s skills.

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5. Cornell University 

The Cornell Big Red is the sports team nickname representing Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York. The university sponsors 36 varsity sports, including football.

Cornell University participates in NCAA Division I football as part of the Ivy League. Also, the football, lacrosse, and sprint football teams play in Schoellkopf Field, which has a capacity of 25,597.

To Find out more about the school, Click here

6. Columbia University

As an Ivy League Institute in New York City, the Columbia University Lions are the informal name for the athletic teams of  Columbia University.

With its outstanding accomplishments, the university is known for its proper combination of academics and sports activities. Also, the university sponsors 31 varsity sports.

To Find out more about the school, Click here

7. United States Military Academy

As one of the FBS teams in New York City, the Army Black Knights football team represents the United States Military Academy in college football.

Also, the Army Black Knights play home games in Michie Stadium with a capacity of 38,000 at West Point, New York.

The Army Black Knights have produced 24 players and 4 coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame. However, three players from Army have won the Heisman Trophy: Doc Blanchard (1945), Glenn Davis (1946), and Pete Dawkins (1958).

More so, the three major service academies—Air Force, Army, and Navy— usually compete for the Commander-in-Chief’s (CIC) Trophy, which is awarded to the academy that defeats the others in football that current year. The Army Black Knights have won nine CIC Trophies, the most recent in 2020.

With such accomplishments, the United States Military Academy may be your best option.

To Find out more about the school, Click here

8. University at Albany

The Albany Great Danes are the collective name of the university’s sports team and are the NCAA Division 1 intercollegiate athletic programs of the University at Albany, SUNY.

The University has 18 varsity teams. Understanding the need to nurture young athletes’ skills, the university provides sporting structures to develop these skills.

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9. Stony Brook University 

” We are the Red Hot Seawolves…” is the official fight song for the university’s sports team. With its location in Stony Brook, New York, the university has 18 varsity teams nicknamed Stony Brook Seawolves.

The University competes at the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and joined the all-sports CAA on July 1, 2022. The official colors of the Seawolves are red, grey, and blue.

The Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium is the largest outdoor stadium in Suffolk county, with a capacity of 12,300.

To Find out more about the school, Click here

10. Wagner College

Arguably one of the best football colleges, the Wagner Seahawks are composed of 23 teams representing Wagner College in intercollegiate athletics. 

Located in Staten Island, New York, Wagner Colleges ranked #40 out of 117 universities and colleges in Men’s Football. This is the dream of many football colleges.

Wagner College is open to both genders and also competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.

To Find out more about the school, Click here 

What are the Division 1 (d1) Football Colleges in New York?

Division 1 (d1) is the highest level of college football in the United States. The FBS comprises the largest schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Categorized in no particular order, the d1 football colleges in New York are as follows;

  •  University at Albany
  • United States Military Academy
  • The State University of New York at Binghamton
  • University at Buffalo, State University of New York
  • Canisius College
  • Colgate University 
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Fordham University
  • Hofstra University
  • Iona College
  • Long Island University
  • Manhattan College
  • Marist College
  • Niagara University
  • St. Bonaventure University
  • St. Francis College
  • St. John’s University
  • Siena College
  • Stony Brook University
  • Syracuse University
  • Wagner College

Also Read: 10 Best Football Colleges in California

What are the Division 2 (d2) Football Colleges in New York?

NCAA Division 2 (d2) is an intermediate-level division of competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Also, It offers an alternative to the broader and better-funded Division 1 and the scholarship-free environment offered in Division 3.

Here’s a list of the d2 football colleges in New York

  1. Adelphi University
  2. Daemen University
  3. Dominican University, New York 
  4. D’Youville University
  5. Le Moyne College
  6. Mercy College
  7. Molloy College
  8. Nyack College
  9. Pace University
  10. Queens College
  11. Roberts Wesleyan College
  12. College of Saint Rose
  13. St. Thomas Aquinas College 
  14. College of Staten Island

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What are the Division 3 (d3) Football Colleges in New York?

This is the lowest level decision of competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It consists of athletic programs at colleges and universities that choose not to offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes.

Among the division 3 football colleges are Alfred State University, Buffalo State College, and Nazareth College.

Also Read: 10 Best Football Colleges in the UK

What are the Best Junior Colleges in New York for Football?

The city of New York has some of the best junior colleges for student-athletes who intend to kickstart their football career early.

Below are some of the Best Junior College Football in New York.

  • Asa College
  • Borough Manhattan Community College
  • Westchester Community College
  • Broome Community College
  • SUNY Adirondacks 
  • Clinton Community College
  • Columbia-Greene Community College
  • Rockland Community College
  • Orange County Community College
  • Queensborough Community College

For Further reading, click: 10 Best Football Colleges in Georgia

How to Join Football Clubs in New York

The motive of enrolling in football colleges or academies is to successfully build a career in football, therefore, finding your way to the top football clubs in New York City.

This guide contains information on how to join a football club successfully.

Join a Scouting Agency

This is one major step toward fulfilling your dreams of playing in a football club. Scouting agencies will encourage you to join a local team or an academy, thereby showing your skills to the world.

 Also, they’ll connect you with coaches, managers, and football agents who have major links with top football clubs.

Read More: 10 Best Football Colleges in Florida | All You Need to Know

Get a well-experienced football agent

Getting a good football agent could be a herculean task, as numerous incompetent agents are out there.

The work of a football agent is to actively search for young talents and link them to a football club.

An experienced football agent always has good connections. As nothing goes for free, these agents usually come with a fee.  

The influence of Social Media

Social media platforms have a lot of influence in the world of football. Athletes must be abreast of it.

To join the football club of your choice, record yourself playing football while displaying your skills, post it on all social media platforms and tag the handles of the football clubs.

Although this is based on luck, as Arsene Wenger would say, ” You never know who is watching!”

Also Read: 10 Best Football Colleges in Virginia

Join a football academy

There are several football academies in New York. A good football academy will help improve your skills and train you in a manner befitting for a top football club.

These academies will take up the task of finding a football club for you. The New York City FC (NYCF) Academy is an example of a good football academy.

Attend a Club’s training session.

Most club training sessions are usually open to being viewed by the public. As an aspiring footballer, it is good to watch how your favorite team plays so that you can learn their football pattern.

Also, these training sessions may be an opportunity to get in contact with the players, share your videos with the managers, and be granted, if lucky, your lifelong dream of being a football club member.

Conclusion

First and foremost, no football college listed holds the title of the “‘best college” in New York. Each football college has its peculiar features. 

However, we believe that this piece exhaustively details the top football colleges in New York and you can carefully select the one that’s best for you.

Another Interesting Read: 10 Best Football Colleges in Colorado

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular sport in New York?

Football is the city’s most followed sport. The New York Giants and New York Jets represent the city in the National Football League.

Is Fordham University an Ivy League School?

The simple answer is No. Columbia and Cornell University are the only two (2) Ivy League schools in New York.

How many NFL teams are in New York?

There are two (2) NFL teams: the New York Giants and the New York Jets.

What is the minimum age to join a football Academy?

The minimum age to join a football academy is 9 years. As academies differ, most academies have a stipulated age requirement. 

References

  • kiiky.com – Ivy League Schools in New York: List and How to get Accepted
  • niche.com – New York Colleges with the Best Athletes
  • ncsasports.org – Best Division 3 Football Colleges NCSA Power Rankings
  • en.m.wikipedia.org – List of Collegiate athletic programs in New York
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