Manhattan U.: Top-Ranked, Real-World Education for the AI Era
Founded in 1853 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Manhattan University has provided a transformative, values-based education that shapes leaders for New York City and beyond. Today, more than 3,200 students from 48 states and territories and more than 60 countries study across three schools: the Kakos School of Arts and Sciences, accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT); the O’Malley School of Business, accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the gold standard for business education; and the School of Engineering, whose undergraduate programs are accredited by ABET and ranked among the top 50 undergraduate engineering programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
The results are measurable. The Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges ranking places Manhattan University in the top 13 percent of colleges nationwide and fifth among all New York colleges and universities, with a salary impact score in the top 3 percent nationally. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University among the top 30 regional universities in the North and names it a top 35 Best Value School and a top 40 Best College for Veterans. Money, TIME, and The Princeton Review all include Manhattan University in their current best colleges guides; Newsweek named it one of America’s Best Colleges for Women for 2026, and Washington Monthly ranks it among the top 50 master’s universities in the country.
The University has also been designated a Military Friendly School with Gold Status for 11 consecutive years, has been named one of Military Times’ Best Colleges for Vets, and participates in the VA Yellow Ribbon Program to help veterans and their dependents fund their education.
With more than 100 majors, minors, and graduate programs; a 15:1 student-faculty ratio; 20 NCAA Division I teams; and a 23-acre residential campus in Riverdale, N.Y., Manhattan University delivers a student-centered education with a liberal arts foundation that prepares students for the real world and professional success.
A Manhattan University Degree Pays Off
Return on Investment. When it comes to paying for college, those three little letters make all the difference, and Manhattan University graduates prove it. PayScale’s College Salary Report ranks the University in the top 50 nationally for graduate salaries, with an average mid-career salary of $152,400. Manhattan University also ranks first among Catholic institutions in the Northeast and among the top five private institutions in New York.
Eighty-seven percent of alumni work in their desired field, launching careers at companies such as IBM, Google, JPMorgan and Wells Fargo. Money notes that 100 percent of undergraduates receive grant assistance and that median early-career earnings exceed $61,000, and The Wall Street Journal ranks the University in the top 7 percent nationally for social mobility, a measure of its success enrolling, graduating and raising the earnings of students from lower-income backgrounds. TIME’s America’s Best Colleges ranking, which weights student outcomes at 75 percent of each school’s score, includes Manhattan University among the top 500 colleges in the country.
Prepare for the AI Era: New Undergraduate Programs in Data Science, AI and Cybersecurity
“Data science and artificial intelligence are transforming every industry, from finance and health care to engineering and public policy,” says Frederick Bonato, PhD, President of Manhattan University. Three new undergraduate programs, developed across the University’s three schools and launching in fall 2026, give students a direct path into some of the fastest-growing careers in the country.
B.S. in Data Science
A collaboration among the Kakos School of Arts and Sciences, the O’Malley School of Business and the School of Engineering, this 120-credit program builds a rigorous foundation in mathematics, statistics, programming and machine learning, with electives in data mining, applied machine learning, big data technology and data policy. Students learn to build and evaluate models, manage large datasets and communicate what the data says, and the curriculum examines the ethical and societal implications of data and AI, including privacy, bias and transparency. A senior capstone applies those skills to real challenges in fields such as health care, finance, environmental science and public policy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nearly 34 percent job growth for data scientists from 2024 to 2034, with a 2024 median annual wage of $112,590.
Minor in Artificial Intelligence
Whatever your major, make artificial intelligence (AI) part of your Manhattan University education. Developed jointly by the computer science, business analytics and engineering faculties and open to students in every discipline, this 15-credit minor offers tailored pathways for students with and without programming experience. Courses such as AI and Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Generative AI, Neural Networks and Learning Systems, and Data Mining teach how intelligent systems work, where their limits are, and how to apply them responsibly in any field of study.
B.S. in Cybersecurity
Housed in the Computer Science Department of the Kakos School of Arts and Sciences, this 128-credit program prepares students to defend the systems that power an AI-driven world. Coursework in cryptography, network security, web security, blockchain, operating systems and cybersecurity policy, privacy and ethics is paired with hands-on work in a dedicated cybersecurity lab, where students analyze real systems and vulnerabilities. Computing electives in AI, deep learning, cloud computing and data mining, along with the option to add the AI minor, let students shape the degree around their goals, and a team-based senior capstone tackles real-world security challenges. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts earn a median salary of $124,910, with 29 percent projected job growth through 2034.
These programs join established undergraduate degrees in computer science, computer information systems, business analytics and computer engineering, and all of them draw on New York City, one of the world’s leading markets for data science and AI talent, for internships, partnerships and first jobs. Learn more at manhattan.edu/AI
The Jasper Guarantee
With the Jasper Guarantee, Manhattan University addresses one of the most pressing concerns for students and families: affordability and transparency. Entering first-year and transfer students lock in a single baseline tuition rate that will not increase for eight consecutive semesters. For students entering in fall 2027, that guaranteed baseline rate is $52,500. Generous merit scholarships and financial aid are layered on top of that baseline, with federal and state aid eligibility determined through the FAFSA, and aid stays in place as long as students maintain scholarship conditions and satisfactory academic progress. Families know the cost on day one, and it does not change. You can learn more at manhattan.edu/ jasper-guarantee
NYC Is a Living Classroom
Where do you want to work? Many Manhattan University graduates begin their careers through New York City internships at organizations such as IBM, Morgan Stanley, the New York Mets, Turner Construction and Donna Karan, and 78 percent of students gain job-related experience before they graduate. Because of the University’s location, students can work year-round rather than only during school breaks, a real advantage in building career-ready skills. Many professors treat the city as an extension of the classroom, with site visits to Wall Street, the American Museum of Natural History and the United Nations.
Career planning starts on day one. Students who apply to the Mentor Program are paired with professionals in their chosen field for a behind-the-scenes look at the profession, and the extensive Manhattan University alumni network offers mentorship and career opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Relationships built through this program give graduates a distinct advantage when it is time to submit a résumé.
Guaranteed Undergraduate Residential Housing
Living on campus means experiencing the best of the Jasper community. Housing options include traditional residence halls, suites and apartment-style living, and undergraduate housing is guaranteed for all four years. Every room includes cable TV and internet access, and residents enjoy community lounges with flat-screen televisions, kitchen and dining areas, central air conditioning, laundry and dedicated quiet study spaces.
More Than a Degree
Rankings are nice, but what really moves the needle? The professor who knows your name. The classmate who becomes a co-founder. The alumna who gets your résumé to the right person. Distinguished faculty deliver industry-relevant skills and sharpen critical thinking, and the Jasper experience equips students with a sense of purpose to build a fulfilling life. Apply to Manhattan University today; the real world is waiting.
