Study in Brooklyn, The United States

About Brooklyn

Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City, across the East River from Manhattan. For students it offers the resources of New York at a slightly more neighbourhood scale: several colleges are concentrated in Downtown Brooklyn, around the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, within reach of the subway.

The colleges here draw many students from the city itself. St. Francis College, for example, says its students come mainly from New York's five boroughs but represent more than 70 countries, so international students study alongside a very mixed local population.

Studying in Brooklyn

Our directory lists four schools in Brooklyn. They differ in size and focus:

• New York City College of Technology (City Tech) is the designated college of technology of the City University of New York (CUNY). Founded in 1946 and located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, it offers 58 associate and bachelor's degree programmes in fields such as architecture, engineering, computer systems, health care, hospitality and business. It is a Hispanic Serving Institution.
• St. Francis College grew out of St. Francis Academy, opened by Franciscan Brothers in 1859. Since September 2022 it has been based in a new campus at 179 Livingston Street in Downtown Brooklyn, and it has more than 4,500 students.
• Global College, Long Island University belongs to Long Island University (LIU), founded in 1926, which has a campus in Brooklyn and over 15,000 students in total. Its Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies is built around eight semesters in eight countries.
• The Department of Television and Radio at Brooklyn College is also listed for media and broadcast studies.

Applicants whose first language is not English usually need a test score: St. Francis College, for instance, accepts TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE or iTEP results.

Student visa

An F student visa covers study at an accredited US college or university. After admission, the school's international student office sends you a Form I-20 (or a DS-2019 for J exchange programmes) to present at a US embassy or consulate. International students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

New York is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States, and rent is the biggest item. Tuition at the public CUNY colleges is comparatively low: at City Tech, full-time New York State residents pay $3,465 per semester, while non-resident students pay $620 per credit. Private colleges such as St. Francis College and LIU charge more; check the cost pages of each school.

Public transport is a fixed and predictable cost. According to the MTA, a subway or local bus ride costs $3 for most riders and an express bus $7.25. You can pay by tapping a contactless bank card, a smartphone or an OMNY card.

Getting around and daily life

Brooklyn is connected to Manhattan and the rest of the city by the MTA's subway and bus network, and one fare system covers both. For trips beyond the city, the MTA's Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North trains charge fares by station and time of travel.

The climate has four distinct seasons. At Central Park in Manhattan, the 1991-2020 normals of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information give an average of 33.7 °F (about 1 °C) in January and 77.5 °F (about 25 °C) in July, with July daily highs of 84.9 °F (about 29 °C).

Frequently asked questions

Which colleges are in Brooklyn?

Our directory includes New York City College of Technology (City Tech), St. Francis College, Global College at Long Island University and the Department of Television and Radio at Brooklyn College.

Is studying in Brooklyn cheaper than in Manhattan?

Tuition depends on the college, not the borough. At CUNY's City Tech, non-residents pay $620 per credit; private colleges cost more. Living costs are high across New York City.

How much does the subway cost?

A subway or local bus ride costs $3 for most riders, according to the MTA.