What is unique about Ithaca College?

Ithaca College's uniqueness lies in its fusion of liberal arts with hands-on professional training, emphasizing theory, practice, and performance, fostered by a close-knit, diverse community in the vibrant, nature-rich college town of Ithaca, NY, with strong alumni networks in creative and professional fields. Its distinctiveness comes from small classes, mentorship, and integration of different fields (like music, business, communications, sciences) to develop adaptable, impactful graduates.

What is Ithaca College known for?

Ithaca College (IC) is known for its strong programs in media, communications, music, theatre, and dance, producing many alumni in broadcasting and entertainment, alongside robust offerings in health sciences and physical therapy, all within a liberal arts foundation. It's recognized for high-quality undergraduate teaching, hands-on experiential learning, innovative approaches, and strong alumni networks in media and the arts, often ranking highly among regional universities in the North. 

What is special about Ithaca?

The Town of Ithaca is a mosaic of rural, suburban, and urban landscapes that surrounds the City of Ithaca. It is a college town, a farm town, a Finger Lakes community, and a tourist destination renowned for its scenic vistas, forested hillsides, gorges, waterfalls and Cayuga Lake.

What is the reputation of Ithaca College?

#13 in Regional Universities North. It's also ranked No. #2 in Best Undergraduate Teaching. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,268 (fall 2024), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 670 acres.

Why are people leaving Ithaca?

This is unsustainable and it maps onto multiple known inequities regarding housing, racialized and class-based labor market inequities, and meager inflation adjusted wage growth. The current situation is forcing families to consider leaving town. The 2023 Ithaca Living Wage Report can be viewed here.

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What is the vibe at Ithaca College?

Ithaca College strikes a balance between being a medium-sized school and offering a vibrant college town atmosphere, which many students appreciate for its accessibility and opportunities.

Is it expensive to live in Ithaca?

Yes, Ithaca, NY is generally considered an expensive place to live, primarily driven by a very tight and costly housing market (both renting and buying), with high rents and rising home prices outpacing wage growth, leading to affordability challenges despite slightly lower grocery costs than the national average. 

What is the #1 college town in the US?

There's no single #1 college town, as rankings vary by study, but Austin, TX, often tops lists for overall student experience (WalletHub 2026), while Ann Arbor, MI, is frequently praised for its UMich dominance and vibrant culture (Bestcolleges.com), and Bozeman, MT, is recognized for its natural amenities and quality of life (RentCafe 2025). Other top contenders include Ames, IA, for job opportunities, and smaller towns like Alfred, NY, for high student population density.
 

Is Ithaca College a little ivy?

No, Ithaca College is not considered a "Little Ivy," as that term refers to prestigious small liberal arts colleges like Amherst, Bowdoin, and Williams; Ithaca College is a well-regarded private college known for programs in media, music, and health sciences, but it's distinct from the traditional Ivy League or the Little Ivies. Ithaca College does receive high rankings in publications like U.S. News & World Report, especially for teaching and innovation, but it doesn't fall under the specific "Little Ivy" designation. 

What is the hardest College to get into at Cornell?

The hardest Cornell school to get into is typically the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, often followed by the College of Arts & Sciences, and the College of Engineering, due to extremely low acceptance rates and high applicant volume, though acceptance rates vary yearly and by program, with Dyson and A&S consistently being the most competitive. 

Does it snow a lot in Ithaca NY?

Yes, Ithaca gets a significant amount of snow, averaging around 60-70 inches annually, with January being the snowiest month, but snowfall can vary due to local geography and lake-effect snow from nearby Cayuga Lake, leading to a mix of heavy snow and sometimes less accumulation downtown compared to surrounding areas. Winters are cold, with snow arriving in late November and lasting into March or April, bringing a classic humid continental climate. 

What is the crime rate in Ithaca?

Ithaca, NY, has a higher overall crime rate than the national average, particularly for property crime, but recent data from the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) suggests city-wide decreases in calls and arrests in 2023-2024, though specific areas like the Ithaca Commons have seen increases, with property crime rising in the past, especially vehicle thefts. While overall trends show improvement, property crime remains a concern, impacting residents and local business owners. 

What movies were filmed in Ithaca, NY?

Ithaca, NY, has a rich film history, famously home to early silent film production by Wharton Inc. Studios, creating serials like The Mysteries of Myra, The Perils of Pauline, and The Romance of Elaine, featuring explosions and stunts in local gorges and parks like Stewart Park. More recently, the area serves as a backdrop for various projects, though major recent hits like A Quiet Place or Eternal Sunshine filmed in other locations, Ithaca's natural beauty and Cornell University campus continue to attract productions. 

Why is Ithaca so famous?

Ithaca, NY, is famous for its stunning natural beauty, especially its numerous waterfalls and gorges, earning the tagline "Ithaca is Gorges," alongside its vibrant, liberal culture driven by Cornell University and Ithaca College, leading to a thriving arts scene, unique shops, farm-to-table food, craft beverages, and a focus on sustainability and healthy living. Its unique blend of intellectualism, Bohemian spirit, and outdoor recreation makes it a distinct college town in the Finger Lakes region. 

What famous people went to Ithaca College?

Ithaca College boasts many notable alumni in media, entertainment, and sports, including business leader Bob Iger (Disney), news anchors David Muir (ABC) & David Boreanaz (actor, Bones), comedian/actress Allison Janney (The West Wing), actress Meg Ryan, and ESPN anchor Bruce Beck, alongside prominent figures in music, theatre (like Aaron Tveit), and athletics (former wrestler Gorilla Monsoon). 

Why choose Ithaca College?

More Than a Place to Learn—a Place to Launch. Ithaca College is a place where curiosity leads to clarity and the momentum to thrive in a world that doesn't follow straight lines. We champion students with multiple passions and goals and a drive to shape their own futures.

What is the #1 private college in America?

There isn't one single #1 private university, as rankings vary by publication, but Princeton University, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently rank at the very top of most lists, often trading the first few spots, with Princeton frequently cited as #1 in recent years by sources like U.S. News and Niche. Other top contenders include Stanford, Yale, and the University of Chicago, reflecting a cluster of elite institutions.
 

What are the 63 hidden Ivies?

The 63 Hidden Ivies are a list of highly selective, prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities outside the traditional Ivy League, identified by educational consultants Howard and Matthew Greene for offering an Ivy-level education with strong academics, resources, and reputation, including schools like Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Pomona, Duke, University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins. They are grouped by region (Northeast, South, Midwest, West) and chosen for their exceptional resources, faculty, and vibrant campus life, making them excellent alternatives to the Ivies. 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

What is America's friendliest college town?

Stillwater, Oklahoma, home to Oklahoma State University (OSU), is widely known and markets itself as "America's Friendliest College Town," celebrated for its strong community spirit, hometown hospitality, vibrant Red Dirt music scene, and events like America's Greatest Homecoming. While other towns like Ann Arbor, MI, and Bozeman, MT, also rank high on various "best college town" lists, Stillwater consistently claims the "friendliest" title through local promotion and visitor experiences.
 

Is Ithaca College a big party school?

What is the party and nightlife scene like at Ithaca College? Ithaca College offers a vibrant party scene, with numerous locations for socializing both on campus and in nearby Ithaca, including events at Cornell University.

Is Ithaca Republican?

No, Ithaca, New York is overwhelmingly Democratic and progressive, with the Republican party facing challenges due to a low number of registered Republicans in the city and a strong liberal leaning from its university populations at Cornell University and Ithaca College. Local elections consistently show Democrats winning by large margins, with the local GOP chair noting few registered Republicans reside in the city. 

Is Ithaca, NY LGBT friendly?

Ithaca is proud to be an LGBTQ-friendly community, and several Downtown Ithaca establishments promote safe and inclusive evening environments. Restaurants such as Silky Jones, Bar Argos, and The Watershed, pride themselves on fostering warm, conversational environments that feel like home.