Plaza College: 30.0% Acceptance Rate

30.0%Acceptance

$15,450Tuition

829Students

63%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$31,519Earnings

Private forprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindData: 2023-24

About Plaza College

Plaza College has built its reputation around career-focused programs in business, healthcare, and technology since 1916. This private career college serves 829 students in Forest Hills, Queens, where small class sizes help prepare graduates for immediate employment. The school accepts 30% of applicants and maintains a clear focus on practical skills over traditional liberal arts.

Students typically pay $18,193 annually after financial aid, with 85% receiving some form of assistance. Graduates earn a median of $31,519 ten years after starting college, while carrying $20,751 in debt. The monthly loan payment of $220 represents a significant burden given the modest earnings potential. The employment rate of 89.7% suggests strong job placement, but the 30.6% loan repayment rate indicates many graduates struggle financially after leaving school.

The student body is overwhelmingly female at 80%, reflecting the school's strength in healthcare and business administration programs. Nearly two-thirds of students are Black or Hispanic, making Plaza College one of the more diverse institutions in New York. The 25:1 student-faculty ratio means larger classes than typical for a small private college, though still smaller than most public universities.

Academics & Faculty

Plaza College focuses on career preparation through business, healthcare, and technology programs. The school maintains a 25:1 student-faculty ratio, meaning classes can feel impersonal despite the college's small size of 829 students. About 66% of students graduate within four years, which reflects the practical nature of the curriculum designed to get students into the workforce quickly. The college attracts students seeking direct job training rather than traditional liberal arts education. Women make up 80% of enrollment, reflecting the school's strength in healthcare and business administration programs. Students here prioritize employability over academic prestige, with programs structured around industry certifications and hands-on training.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 25:1
Full-Time Faculty: 37.3%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 66.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 62.9%
Median Earnings (10 years): $31,519
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate/Associate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Bachelor	$38,289
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$35,327
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$30,409
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$27,947
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$27,427
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Associate	$18,315

View all 14 programs →

Campus Life

Plaza College sits in Forest Hills, Queens, just a subway ride from Manhattan. With 829 students spread across a small urban campus, you'll recognize faces quickly. The student-faculty ratio of 25:1 means classes feel more like high school than a massive lecture hall. Women make up 80% of the student body, creating a female-dominated environment.

The campus lacks dormitories, so all students commute from home or nearby apartments. This creates a different active than traditional colleges. Students often head straight home after classes rather than lingering on campus. The diverse student population reflects Queens itself, with Hispanic students comprising 33% and Black students 32% of enrollment.

Winters require heavy coats and boots as snow blankets the area from December through March. The semester system keeps students busy with career-focused coursework in business and healthcare programs. Weekend social life happens off-campus in nearby Flushing or Manhattan rather than at school events. The 89.7% employment rate suggests students stay focused on their professional goals rather than traditional college social experiences.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1916

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 28°–40°F
July Avg: 71°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 45.3"
Annual Snowfall: 29.8"

Student Demographics

Plaza College draws students seeking practical career training rather than traditional liberal arts education. Women make up four out of five students, reflecting the school's strength in healthcare and business programs that historically attract female students. The student body is predominantly Black and Hispanic, with these groups representing nearly two-thirds of enrollment. All students come from New York state, showing Plaza's strong reputation within local communities. With 85% receiving Pell Grants, the college serves working-class families looking for affordable pathways to stable careers in growing fields.

Men: 19.8%
Women: 80.2%
White: 13.0%
Black: 32.0%
Hispanic: 32.9%
Asian: 12.1%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 85.0%

Location

Plaza College sits in Forest Hills, NY, part of Queens just 30 minutes from Manhattan. The campus operates in one of New York City's most diverse boroughs, where over 80% of students are women and the student body is 65% Black and Hispanic combined. Forest Hills offers a suburban feel within the urban sprawl, known for its tree-lined streets and proximity to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The area provides easy access to internships and job opportunities across the five boroughs. All students come from New York state, reflecting the college's role as a local career training center. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare Plaza College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Forest Hills, New York 11375

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $31,519
Median Earnings (5 years): $38,599
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $20,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 30.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $220/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $20,751

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Plaza College?

Plaza College accepts 30% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a career-focused institution. The school draws entirely from New York state students and emphasizes hands-on training in business, healthcare, and technology programs.

How much does Plaza College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $18,193 annually at Plaza College. With 85% of students receiving financial aid and tuition set at $15,450, most families find the career college affordable for professional training programs.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Plaza College?

Plaza College maintains a 25:1 student-faculty ratio across its 829 enrolled students. The school specializes in small, career-focused programs that prepare students for immediate employment in business, healthcare, and technology fields.

Does Plaza College have good job placement rates?

Plaza College graduates achieve an 89.7% employment rate after completing their programs. However, median earnings of $31,519 ten years after enrollment reflect the school's focus on entry-level professional positions rather than high-paying careers.

Where is Plaza College located and what type of setting does it offer?

Plaza College operates in Forest Hills, New York, within a large city environment. Founded in 1916, this private career college serves a predominantly female student body with 80% women enrollment focused on practical professional training.

Is Plaza College diverse in its student population?

Plaza College serves a highly diverse student body with 32% Hispanic students and 32% Black students. Only 13% of the 829 enrolled students are white, making it one of the most ethnically diverse career colleges in New York.