2024 Top Colleges for Protective Services in the New York City Area

• New York, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  1,394 reviews

Senior: John Jay is a great choice for many students. I can personally speak to my experience as a STEM student in the Forensic Science major. The class sizes are small, so students have a more meaningful relationship with their mentors. There are lots of clubs and campus activities for students to partake in, and it's not unusual to be on my way to class to randomly see goodie bags or free food for an event in hound square! John Jay does not have a traditional campus feel (most of the population is made up of commuters) but makes up for it with its facilities. The JayWalk is a gorgeous courtyard where students often relax between classes and enjoy the weather. Furthermore, there are so many hidden gems for food and recreational activities in the blocks surrounding campus, which feel very safe. In fact, a few food places (shout out to Justino's Pizza) gives student discounts for food! CUNY is fantastic with internship/externship/research programs for undergraduate students. Best of luck!... Read 1,394 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 45%

• Net price $5,077

• SAT range 1020-1160

• West Long Branch, NJ•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  973 reviews

Alum: Monmouth was a great experience for me! I did so much growing as a man, a partner, an athlete, a child of God and so so much more. At Monmouth, I made some of my greatest friends, people that I will be in contact with probably for the rest of my life. The struggles, laughs, cries, triumphs and defeats were all shared with them and for that I will be forever in debt and gratitude for Monmouth and the amazing people. I was able to come in contact with. As an athlete, I learned so much about my body and others' bodies which allowed me to really take my talents to a new level athletically and help contribute to my love for my major, Exercise Science. At Monmouth, I also had the opportunity to seek God without my parents and I am so blessed for the bonds I made this way and how closer to God I have through these groups and events.... Read 973 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $29,059

• SAT range 1070-1250

• Dobbs Ferry, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  1,347 reviews

Freshman: Mercy College is a great school for students looking for affordable tuition, small classes, and a connected campus with faculty. Mercy offers many great programs where the staff is aimed to help you succeed, having multiple support systems available at all times. Mercy offers many resources that will help you throughout your four years in college, internships that pertain to your career, and campus life!... Read 1,347 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $15,027

• SAT range 910-1190

• Garden City, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,391 reviews

Graduate Student: Beautiful campus, friendly faculty members, supportive professors and amazing classmates from all over the world. In Adelphi, we make this place as an international community, everyone is part of this big family. Studying here is the best choice I have ever made in my life and this experience has completely changed my life from so many perspectives, I am glad and proud that I become an alumni from Adelphi. Academically, professors have rich clinical experiences and conducting several research which could facilitate you with basic knowledge of research design and later on being helpful if you are planning for PhD degree or becoming a clinical workers. Environmentally, it’s a safe and friendly campus with so many goodness, students are encouraged to participate in different activities and events. Lastly, our great career center plays a key role from student’s perspective, internship, resume, interview skills etc. Adelphi can help you to achieve your career success, join us!... Read 1,391 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 78%

• Net price $28,261

• SAT range 1080-1310

• Selden, NY•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  1,129 reviews

Sophomore: Suffolk Community College is the ultimate gateway towards your field of study. As a conglomerate of buildings throughout Long Island, it’s like they have almost everything that someone would like to study. It is nice to have professors that are very passionate. I was just disappointed with the lack of classes that they had when compared to the amount they presented in DegreeWorks. I would’ve really loved to take a Caribbean Studies class like they listed but it was not available across all campuses. I also think a more diverse cast of professors would be great as well!... Read 1,129 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,707

• SAT range —

• Garden City, NY•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  1,109 reviews

Alum: I had a really good first semester at Nassau Community College but unfortunately, I didn't get to experience my full year at Nassau Community College as the pandemic had hit and everything was shifted to online. Most of my professors that I had were very accommodating and patient to the transition. My only complaint would be that the advisors can sometimes be rude and not in the slightest bit helpful. I have one advisor that help me with a specific issue and basically told me to go to her for any help that I needed but then turned her back on me after I came to her in regards to another issue that had to do with my financial aid. Overall, this is a great community college to get your feet wet into transferring into a senior college and I miss this school very much. I owe this school my success!... Read 1,109 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,730

• SAT range —

• Jersey City, NJ•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.53 out of 5  762 reviews

Sophomore: I really like the school and am very grateful for the opportunities I have received there. The English department is fantastic! I love my professors and the classes are always well taught, structured and most importantly of all: interesting. Definitely a great academic experience.... Read 762 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $13,756

• SAT range 890-1140

• Valhalla, NY•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  658 reviews

Alum: There are so many opportunities for growth, wonderful and knowledgeable professors, a great sense of community, and exceptional facilities and resources. The Science Tutorial was my best resource for improving my grades. All profs offered office hrs and ensured their students do well. WCC offers refunds on dropped classes before a certain date. Take advantage if the class or professor doesn’t align with them. Take time to read testimonials of your professors before signing up for their class. I am still in contact with many of my professors and they have given me support and encouragement through my current career. It’s a great feeling to know they still want to see you succeed even after you leave the classroom. Diversity on campus is lively! WCC is a large commuter school including HS grads, transfers, and grad students. Pool offered open swim hrs which were fun to go to in between classes. Student life is what you make of it. You can be as active or inactive as you’d like.... Read 658 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $10,536

• SAT range —

• Lincroft, NJ•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  1,425 reviews

Freshman: Brookdale Community College is an exceptional institution that I absolutely love. The college provides a welcoming environment for all students, with a wide variety of clubs and organizations to join. The community at Brookdale is diverse and inclusive, providing opportunities for students from all backgrounds to engage and connect with one another. In addition to its vibrant student life, Brookdale also offers an extensive range of academic programs to meet the needs and interests of its students. Whether you're looking to pursue a degree or certification, or just want to take some courses to develop new skills, Brookdale has something for everyone. Overall, I highly recommend Brookdale Community College to anyone seeking a supportive and inclusive environment, a wide range of academic programs, and opportunities to engage with a diverse community of students. Thank you, Brookdale, for providing me with an outstanding college experience!... Read 1,425 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,559

• SAT range —

• Edison, NJ•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  652 reviews

Alum: They were able to give me the classes I needed to teach me how to understand certain aspects of social work and understand how important learning sociology is. The majority of the professors I had really did their best to work with me so I can have a good experience, especially in the language department my asl teacher helped me grasp the language!... Read 652 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $11,738

• SAT range —

• Cranford, NJ•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  585 reviews

Alum: At the time I attended and graduated, it was called UCC for short. In non abbreviated terms, Union County College. This college and their professors were fixing and truly innovating their school and uplifting to students. I really became close to many professors and I can attest, you can't find that elsewhere. This warmth made me felt how much they cared. Believe me it wasn't just their surroundings and how rich it looks but their students. Alerts from the school was majority of the time accurate, most of the professors were professional. Although, you will find some that aren't. The cafeteria is always clean the food always delicious! I enjoyed their events, the clubs and trips they offered. The only thing I would like to see change, would be the catalogs as I can remember. They had many for example as an education major. It was hard to select one, even with an advisor. Also, how expensive it was, however still affordable. I missed all the hardships and reward at the college.... Read 585 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,757

• SAT range —

• Jersey City, NJ•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  490 reviews

Freshman: Hudson County Community College, both the Union City and the Jersey City campus, provided me with an opportunity that wasn’t in my life before. I am 26 years old, and I never thought I would be going back to college after leaving almost seven years ago. Going back was scary, but I was excited to go to college for me instead of my parents. It was a challenging experience I will continue to go through and wouldn’t have it any other way. Professors I had during my first freshman semester pushed me and saw something in me that I did not see myself. I am grateful for that. I’m persuading a major that I love and that I’m continuing to learn about every single day. Hudson County Community College is a stepping stone in my academic career, and I’m grateful for it to be my first step into achieving my goals and receiving both of my degrees. I would change the North Hudson campus to have some of what the Jersey City campus has to offer. I am eternally grateful for Hudson Community College!... Read 490 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,179

• SAT range —

• Toms River, NJ•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  693 reviews

Sophomore: It's not the most enjoyable experience to attend a community college, especially when you watch all of your friends at colleges having a good time, making new friends, partying, joining sororities, and doing other things you might be losing out on. Since I was unable to have the same experience that I watched everyone else having, I began to feel really upset and lonely. I didn't start to really appreciate it until the beginning of spring semester at Ocean County College. In the English class I was enrolled in, I met someone. Due to the fact that we were in a comparable situation, we quickly became the best of friends. She had a significant influence on my life and encouraged me to see the good in everything. I am quite happy that I went to community college because I know I would have never met her otherwise.... Read 693 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $10,765

• SAT range —

• Randolph, NJ•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  565 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, a truly fantastic community college! Many of the professors are highly accomplished and well-known in their fields. It is constantly rated as one of the best county colleges in the nation. It boasts multiple degree programs, as well as numerous certificates in a variety of subjects. Checksheets for all of the above can be found on their website or outside the Academic Advisement office. The fall and spring semesters mostly run on 15, 13, or 7 early/late week schedules, depending upon the particular course. CCM also offers a 4-week winter term, which is completely online, along with various summer terms (5 week early/late, 10-week, and 7-week). Many courses are available in multiple formats: in-person, remote, and online. Definitely take advantage of the free articles & databases service through the library when enrolled! CCM offers honors courses each semester and is working on expanding its program; there are also a few honors societies and other clubs one can join.... Read 565 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,315

• SAT range —

• Suffern, NY•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  523 reviews

Freshman: I came to Rockland Community College as a reverse transfer student after bad experiences at my previous 4-year university - and I could not be happier! I was instantly accepted by everyone, and the students are very supportive of one another. I have never met such an inclusive and diverse group of people. For a community college, I believe that the education I have received so far has been superb. Instead of memorizing a book, we are asked thought-provoking questions and I leave all of my classes inspired. I could not have asked for a better group of teachers. However, I wish there were more clubs and activities to take part in, but this is a small community college and almost everyone has a full-time / part-time job which takes up most of their time.... Read 523 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $11,410

• SAT range —

• Branchburg, NJ•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  673 reviews

Alum: Small college, friendly students and staff, several clubs free to join any time, after a couple semesters you feel like family with the community. The food in the cafeteria not the greatest and also expensive in my opinion for it's quality. Shoprite is walking distance to college. Tuition costs are lower than four year college. Free parking! I had a great experience, very recommended.... Read 673 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,412

• SAT range —

• Paterson, NJ•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  293 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at Passaic County Community College has been good overall. For a student that is not completely sure of what career they would like to pursue, I would recommend enrolling in a 2-year college first. PCCC has given me the accessibility on time and financially to be able to work and study at the same time. I have been able to be part of the organizations like SGA which has helped me develop communication and social skills. This organization has helped me to connect more and be involved in college activities, and also participate in outdoor activities. PCCC is very diverse, you can connect with people who share the same ethnicity and likes. Something that I would like to see change is the advisement help offered to students. Since I enrolled at PCCC, I do not know who is my advisor, I have got a guide on my degree thanks to my professors who work in the CIS department and have given me advice on the classes I should take. Personally, that will be something to work on.... Read 293 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,731

• SAT range —

• Flushing, NY•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.96 out of 5  89 reviews

Junior: Very helpful, the system, Administration, and the professor. I will like to finish my associate here.... Read 89 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 69%

• Net price $9,447

• SAT range —

• New York, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  47 reviews

Senior: My school was Cuny School of Professional studies under CUNY graduate school. I love this school so much! As a working mother of 3 kids including a 7 month old, this school has given me the opportunity to finally finish my bachelors degree by taking online classes. I recommend this school to anyone that is struggling going to college. Give this school a try!... Read 47 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price —

• SAT range —