Study in USA at Long Island University: Everything You Need to Know

New York is the city most Indian students picture when they think about studying in the United States. The finance sector, the media industry, healthcare research, pharmacy, technology—it is all there. And if you want to study in New York without the ultra-selective admissions pressure of Ivy League schools, Long Island University (LIU) is one of the most well-rounded private universities to consider.

Founded in 1926, LIU has spent nearly a century building a reputation for practical, accessible education in one of the world’s most connected cities. Today, it enrolls over 16,000 students across multiple campuses, offers more than 500 academic programs, and awards nearly $100 million in scholarships and grants each year.

Here is everything an Indian student needs to know before applying.

 

What Is Long Island University?

Long Island University, known as LIU, is a private research university chartered by the New York State Education Department in 1926. Its founding mission was to provide “effective and moderately priced education” to people from “all walks of life,” and that philosophy still shapes how it operates today.

LIU holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), one of the United States’ seven regional accreditors. Individual programs carry additional accreditations from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the American Psychological Association (APA), among others.

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education places LIU in the R2 category: Doctoral Universities with High Research Activity. It is the only private university on Long Island to receive this designation and one of only three in the Northeast.

In the 2026 edition of U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges, Long Island University is ranked #373 among National Universities. It also ranks #266 for Top Performers on Social Mobility, a measure of how well a university serves students from lower-income backgrounds. The Brookings Institution has recognized LIU for its “value added” to student outcomes, and Forbes has noted its emphasis on experiential learning.

 

LIU Campuses: Brooklyn and Post

LIU operates across multiple locations, but two main campuses define the student experience.

LIU Brooklyn

Located at 1 University Plaza in Downtown Brooklyn, the Brooklyn campus sits in the heart of New York City. Its urban setting puts students within walking distance of major hospitals, law firms, financial institutions, media companies, and cultural institutions, all of which become internship and employment destinations.

The Brooklyn campus is home to LIU Pharmacy (the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, founded in 1891 as the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy, one of NYC’s oldest pharmacy schools), the School of Nursing, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It also houses the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts and the LIU Global program.

LIU Global is worth a separate mention. It is a four-year undergraduate degree that lets students live and study in eight different countries across eight semesters. For students who want an internationally structured bachelor’s degree, this is a genuinely rare option at any US university.

LIU Post

Located at 720 Northern Blvd in Brookville, the LIU Post campus is the largest in the LIU system. It sits on over 330 acres along Long Island’s Gold Coast—the historic north shore of Long Island, once home to wealthy Manhattan estates, now a scenic suburban campus about 25 miles from Manhattan.

LIU Post is home to the Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine, one of only five veterinary colleges in the entire Northeast United States. It also houses an AACSB-accredited business school, the first professional school of accountancy in New York, award-winning theater programs, and research facilities, including a human performance lab. The campus has its own equestrian facility, the only on-campus equestrian center on Long Island, and the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts major professional performances.

Students get to New York City easily via the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) from the nearby Hicksville station, making LIU Post a suburban campus with direct city access.

 

Popular Courses at LIU for Indian Students

LIU offers over 500 programs across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Here is a breakdown of the programs that attract the most Indian and international students.

Business and Accountancy

The AACSB-accredited business school at LIU Post offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business administration, finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. The School of Accountancy, the first of its kind professionally in New York, draws students specifically for its CPA preparation pathway. An MBA from LIU’s Business School carries real weight in New York’s finance and consulting sectors.

Computer Science and Information Technology

LIU’s MS in Computer Science is one of its most popular graduate programs among Indian students. The 36-credit program runs in a blended learning format—part online, part in-person—which gives students scheduling flexibility. An MS in Information Systems (18 months) is another common choice. Both programs qualify for OPT and, if STEM-designated, for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving graduates up to three years of US work authorization after graduation.

Pharmacy and Health Sciences

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at LIU Brooklyn has been training pharmacists since 1891. It is one of the oldest pharmacy schools in New York City and holds full ACPE accreditation. Pharmacy is one of LIU’s most established and respected programs.

Nursing and Public Health

The School of Nursing at LIU Brooklyn is CCNE-accredited. The Master of Public Health (MPH) program does not require GRE scores, which removes one barrier for international applicants. Popular health-adjacent programs include Health Administration and Clinical Psychology.

Media, Communications, and Journalism

LIU hosts and sponsors the annual George Polk Awards in Journalism, one of the most respected journalism prizes in the United States, awarded since 1949. The university’s media programs benefit directly from the prestige and networks connected to this award. Students in communications, journalism, and film have direct access to New York’s media industry.

Veterinary Medicine

For students interested in animal health, LIU Post’s Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine is a rare opportunity. Only five veterinary colleges operate in the entire Northeast, and LIU Post has one of them. This program draws students from across the country and internationally.

Psychology

The APA-accredited doctoral programs in psychology at LIU are well-regarded in clinical and counseling tracks. Undergraduate psychology is also a large and popular program at both campuses.

 

LIU Tuition Fees and Cost of Attendance

Let’s talk numbers directly.

Undergraduate Tuition: Annual tuition at LIU is approximately $42,432 (as reported by U.S. News for 2026). The total estimated annual cost of attendance for undergraduate students, including tuition, fees, living expenses, books, supplies, and health insurance, is approximately $67,000.

Graduate Tuition: Annual graduate tuition and fees run approximately $26,000. The total estimated annual cost of attendance for graduate students, including living expenses and health insurance, is approximately $51,000.

The Net Price: LIU awards nearly $100 million in scholarships and grants each year. The average net price for federal loan recipients comes to $25,774 per year, considerably below the sticker price. New undergraduate international students may be eligible for merit-based scholarships from LIU of up to $30,250 per year throughout their entire program.

LIU has also committed to limiting annual tuition increases to no more than 2%, which gives students some predictability for multi-year budgeting.

For Indian students to receive their I-20 visa document, LIU requires proof of at least $23,000 for tuition plus $13,373 for living expenses, a total of $36,374, in an affidavit of support or bank statement for one academic year.

 

Admission Requirements for Indian Students

LIU has an acceptance rate of approximately 93%, which places it among the more accessible private universities in the United States. This does not mean standards are low; it means LIU focuses on supporting students with potential rather than filtering through hyper-selective criteria.

Undergraduate Admission:

• High school transcripts with evidence of academic performance
• SAT or ACT scores (optional; submitting them can strengthen your application, but is not required)
• IELTS minimum 6.0 or TOEFL iBT minimum 75 for most undergraduate programmes
• Personal essay
• $50 non-refundable application fee
• Applications accepted through the Common Application or LIU’s own portal

Graduate Admission:

• Bachelor’s degree transcripts
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• English proficiency: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79, PTE 58 for most graduate programmes (specific requirements vary by programme)
• Some programmes, such as the MBA, may have additional requirements
• Foreign credentials must be evaluated by an approved credential evaluation agency such as World Education Services (WES)
• $50 application fee

For the I-20 Student Visa Document:

• Completed admission application
• Affidavit of Support showing $36,374 in US dollars covering one year of tuition and living expenses
• $500 tuition deposit after receiving your acceptance letter

Both fall (August/September) and spring (January) intakes are available at LIU. International students should apply at least three to four months before their intended intake to allow time for visa processing.

 

Scholarships at LIU

LIU runs one of the larger institutional scholarship programs among private US universities. Here is what international students should know.

Merit-Based Scholarships: New undergraduate students can receive up to $30,250 per year based on academic performance. These scholarships renew each year throughout the program, provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress.

LIU Promise: Every LIU student is assigned a Success Coach — a personal mentor who helps with academic planning, financial aid questions, campus involvement, and career preparation. This is not just an administrative contact; it is a structured support system built into the student experience.

External Scholarships: Indian students should also explore DAAD partnerships, Fulbright scholarships, and state-level scholarships from New York that occasionally apply to private university students.

 

Career Outcomes and OPT at LIU

Here is what the post-graduation picture looks like.

According to LIU’s First-Destination Survey data, within six months of graduation, 88% of the Class of 2020 and 89% of the Class of 2021 were in positive employment or educational outcomes. The LIU Post postgraduate job placement rate stands at 93%, with an average graduate salary of $65,000.

Six years after graduation, the median salary for LIU graduates across all programs is $47,543, according to U.S. News. Salaries vary significantly by field—graduates from pharmacy, computer science, nursing, and business consistently earn above this median.

LIU’s career services team facilitates thousands of jobs, internships, and experiential placements each semester. Students access the Handshake platform for job listings, Big Interview for interview practice, and career fairs that connect them with New York-area employers.

For international students, LIU provides direct guidance on:

• OPT (Optional Practical Training): 12 months of work authorisation available to F-1 students after graduation
• STEM OPT Extension: An additional 24 months of work authorisation for graduates from STEM-designated programmes, including Computer Science and Information Systems
• CPT (Curricular Practical Training): Work authorisation available during studies, useful for internships integrated into a programme

New York’s job market makes LIU’s location a genuine advantage. The city’s finance, healthcare, media, technology, and retail sectors all recruit actively from LIU’s campuses.

Notable alumni include journalist and television personality Geraldo Rivera, former NFL player and host Tiki Barber, actor and comedian Billy Crystal, inventor and entrepreneur Joy Mangano, and former New York State Comptroller Carl McCall.

 

Why Study at LIU as an Indian Student

Here is the short version of what makes LIU stand out for Indian applicants specifically.

Small class sizes. With 64% of classes containing fewer than 20 students and a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you get personal access to your professors—not lectures of 300 students where you are anonymous.

New York City access. Both campuses give students access to the largest job market in the United States, across every sector that matters.

High acceptance rate with strong support. A 93% acceptance rate combined with a structured Success Coach program means LIU does not just admit you and leave you to figure things out. The support is built in.

Genuine research activity. LIU’s R2 Carnegie Classification means doctoral research is happening on campus, and motivated students can get involved.

Affordable pathway to an NYC education. The total cost of attendance at $51,000–$67,000 per year, with scholarships that can significantly reduce this, makes LIU competitive compared to similarly located private New York universities.

 

How Studying and Working Abroad Can Help

Applying to a US university involves multiple moving parts: selecting the right campus and program, preparing your statement of purpose, arranging credential evaluation, meeting language score requirements, and managing the F-1 visa process with the right financial documentation.

Study and Work Abroad (studyandworkabroad.in) is a Mumbai-based overseas education consultancy that has guided Indian students through the full process of applying to universities in the United States, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and beyond. Their team helps students match their academic profile to the right program, prepare strong application packages, understand scholarship options, and meet all visa documentation requirements correctly.

If Long Island University is on your shortlist and you want structured, personalized support getting your application right, connecting with the team at Study and Work Abroad is a sensible next step.

 

Quick Reference: LIU at a Glance

Detail	Information
Founded	1926
Type	Private Research University
Main Campuses	Brooklyn (NYC) and Post (Brookville, Long Island)
Total Students	Over 16,000
Programmes Offered	Over 500
Accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
US News Ranking	#373 National Universities (2026)
Acceptance Rate	~93%
Undergraduate Annual Fees	~$42,432
Max Annual Scholarship	Up to $30,250
Student-to-Faculty Ratio	13:1
Post-Graduation Employment (6 months)	88–89%

 

FAQs

1. What is Long Island University known for?

Long Island University is known for its pharmacy school (one of New York City’s oldest, founded in 1891), its AACSB-accredited business school, the Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine, and its journalism programs connected to the George Polk Awards. LIU is also recognized for strong career support, small class sizes, and its location, giving students access to New York City’s job market.

2. How many campuses does LIU have, and which is best for Indian students?

LIU has two main campuses: LIU Brooklyn in Downtown Brooklyn and LIU Post in Brookville on Long Island’s Gold Coast. Indian students interested in health sciences, pharmacy, and nursing tend to prefer Brooklyn. Those interested in business, computer science, veterinary medicine, or a suburban campus experience often choose LIU Post. Both campuses are well-connected to New York City.

3. What are the IELTS and TOEFL requirements for LIU for Indian students?

For undergraduate admission, LIU requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL iBT of 75. Graduate programs generally require IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79, with PTE Academic scores of 58 also accepted. Requirements can vary by program, so check the specific entry criteria for your chosen course on LIU’s official website.

4. Does LIU offer scholarships to international students?

Yes. LIU awards nearly $100 million in scholarships and grants annually. New undergraduate international students can receive merit-based scholarships of up to $30,250 per year, renewable throughout the program. Every student also gets a Success Coach to help navigate financial aid options. International students are not eligible for US federal aid (FAFSA) but can benefit from LIU’s institutional scholarships.

5. Can Indian students work in the USA after graduating from LIU?

Yes. F-1 visa holders at LIU are eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation, allowing them to work in the US in their field of study. Graduates from STEM-designated programs, such as Computer Science and Information Systems, can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving a total of three years of US work authorization. Study and Work Abroad can guide Indian students through the OPT and visa process as part of their postgraduation planning.