A top-10 public liberal arts college where professional arts conservatories and rigorous academics thrive together.
Purchase College operates three main schools: the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of the Arts, and the School of Liberal Studies & Continuing Education. The School of the Arts houses four conservatories—Dance, Music, Theatre Arts, and Art+Design—alongside an Art Management program. Approximately 40% of the student body enrolls in arts programs. The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers 23 majors across humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and film/media studies. All students complete a year-long Senior Project, an original inquiry under faculty mentorship that often leads to graduate study or career advancement.
The Conservatory of Dance is among the most highly regarded in the United States and houses the first facility in the US built solely for dance study and performance. The Conservatory of Music enrolls up to 400 students and offers classical, jazz, composition, and studio production tracks; the Purchase Opera has won nine first-place honors from the National Opera Association. The Conservatory of Theatre Arts, ranked among the top 25 drama programs globally by the Hollywood Reporter, accepts only 18 acting students annually and emphasizes individualized training. The School of Art+Design offers programs in graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
The 500-acre suburban campus in Purchase, NY features the Performing Arts Center, Neuberger Museum of Art, and dedicated facilities including the Dance Building, Music Building with 75 practice rooms and 80 Steinway pianos, and professional recording studios. Students live in residence halls including the Outback and Fort Awesome. The Purchase Student Government Association (PSGA) manages student activities and the Student Center ("The Stood"). Over 50 clubs and organizations serve diverse interests. The college emphasizes sustainability and maintains a culture of inclusivity and creative expression.
Purchase College is test-optional and holistic in review. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students have high school GPAs between 3.0 and 3.7 (average 88.3% for fall 2025). Acceptance rates vary by program; conservatory programs requiring auditions or portfolios are highly competitive, while liberal arts and sciences programs are more accessible. Deadlines vary by program. The college accepts applications for Liberal Arts BA/BS, conservatory BFA/MusB programs, and Creative Writing BA, with portfolio and audition requirements for arts programs.
92% of 2024 graduates were employed, enrolled in graduate or professional school, or both. The college awarded $2.4 million in merit and talent scholarships and provides 79% of undergraduates with financial aid. Notable alumni include six-time Grammy winner Samara Joy (2021), Regina Spektor, Mitski, and acclaimed actors such as Jodi Long and Jay O. Sanders. The college's proximity to New York City attracts adjunct faculty who are active practitioners and guest lecturers from major institutions.