Best public schools to consider in New York?

I'm a junior in high school looking to explore public universities in New York. Are there any highly-ranked public institutions that offer a good range of programs? I'd love to hear about schools with strong reputations.

Sure, New York State has several excellent public universities, part of both the State University of New York (SUNY) system and the City University of New York (CUNY) system.

Starting with the SUNY system, Binghamton University is often referred to as a "Public Ivy," known for its strong programs across various disciplines. There are also the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University, both of which offer wide-ranging programs with particular strengths in the STEM fields, business, and health sciences.

In addition to these, the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is unique in its focus on natural resources and the environment, offering specialized programs in areas such as conservation biology, environmental science, and paper engineering. SUNY Geneseo also has a reputation as a top liberal arts college, giving students a solid grounding in humanities and sciences.

Within the CUNY system, you have Baruch College, which is often ranked as one of the best public colleges in the nation for its strong programs, especially in business. City College, also part of CUNY, is another strong option with robust programs across several areas, including engineering, social sciences, and the humanities.

Each of these public New York universities has different strengths, campus cultures, and academic focuses, so I recommend investigating each of them individually to see which ones align best with your interests, career goals, and personal preferences.

Remember, rankings can give you a general idea of a school’s reputation, but they shouldn't be the sole determinant in your college choice process. You'll also want to consider factors like the school's culture, available student resources, location, class sizes, internship possibilities, and fit with your personal and academic goals.