Wagner College: A Comprehensive Overview of Location, Academics, and Campus Life

Wagner College, a private liberal arts institution, is located in Staten Island, New York City. Founded in 1883, Wagner College offers undergraduate degrees in over 50 majors. The college is known for its innovative curriculum, The Wagner Plan for the Practical Liberal Arts. As of the 2023-2024 academic year, it enrolled approximately 1,932 students, including 1,592 undergraduates and 340 graduates.

Historical Development and Location

Wagner College was founded in 1883 in Rochester, New York, as the Lutheran Proseminary of Rochester. In 1918, the college moved to the 38-acre former Cunard estate on Grymes Hill, Staten Island. The college expanded to 57 acres after it acquired the neighboring Jacob Vanderbilt estate in 1922. In 1949, the college purchased the W. G. Ward estate, the current site of Wagner College Stadium, and in 1993, it acquired the adjacent property of the former Augustinian Academy.

The college's location on Grymes Hill provides students with a tranquil setting ideal for study, reflection, and contemplation. Students can take advantage of the professional and cultural opportunities of Manhattan by taking a free 25-minute ride away on the Staten Island Ferry.

Academics and the Wagner Plan

Wagner College is known for its innovative curriculum, The Wagner Plan for the Practical Liberal Arts. At Wagner, students "learn by doing" through a challenging, broad-based liberal arts curriculum that is anchored in the real world. Through The Wagner Plan for the Practical Liberal Arts, students, in their very first semester, become involved in field work directly related to their courses. Learning Communities help students connect to their studies, to their professors, and to each other. Internships required for all students provide valuable real-world experience before graduation.

The Wagner Plan culminates with a Senior LC, bringing together the breadth of a liberal education and the depth of specialized knowledge into real-world practical applications. Wagner students can also study abroad through the College's four affiliated programs in Spain, Israel, France, and Italy. Dozens more programs are available through membership in the Institute for the International Education of Students and New American Colleges & Universities.

Wagner College offers bachelors degree in over 25 academic areas of study. At Wagner, youÂ’ll not only study issues and sharpen your skills in critical thinking, writing, and problem solving, but youÂ’ll also practice what you learn. The college offers graduate degrees are available in the fields of media management, business, education, microbiology, physician assistant studies, and nursing with five-year joint degree programs in microbiology, business, accounting, and physician assistant studies.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Wagner is an academically competitive institution, and an applicant's academic records and college entrance exam scores are important considerations. For many programs at Wagner, SAT and ACT test are optional. The average student admitted to Wagner College achieved SAT scores of 540-620 in critical reading and 530-630 in math, while the average GPA score is 3.45. Almost 90 percent of all students at Wagner College receive some form of financial aid, e.g. scholarships. Students with outstanding academic records and/or exceptional demonstrated talent may be eligible to receive scholarships.

Campus Life and Student Activities

Wagner offers a full spectrum of student activities, including more than 90 student clubs and organizations. These programs not only enrich the undergraduate years but also serve to prepare students for the challenges of life after graduation.

As an NCAA Division I institution, Wagner offers 10 menÂ’s and 12 womenÂ’s sports. Men's varsity intercollegiate teams are fielded in 10 sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, tennis, and track & field (indoor and outdoor) and men's water polo, which was established in fall 2016. Students represent 43 different states and 25 countries.

The Center for Intercultural Advancement and International Cultural Advancement offices are said to be doing a "great job" in engaging students, and there are plenty of organizations to join. Several students say that "the theatre department here is by far one of the best, sweetest, and strongest bodies," hosting "a variety of…parties that are open to all." The library "is a haven for students looking for some peace when studying, and with nice weather, most students sit on the great lawn and have picnics."

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One of the top things to do on Staten Island, Wagner College Theatre showcases the future stars of Broadway now! With more than 50 years producing live performances, Wagner College Theatre is a not-to-miss arts experience on Staten Island. Located on the iconic Grymes Hill campus, WCT has ranked among the top 5 collegiate theatre programs in the United States by the Princeton Review since 2004, most recently ranking 2nd nationally in their 2025 “Best 388 Colleges” guide.

Getting to Wagner College

Wagner College is most easily accessed from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, though LaGuardia and JFK Airports are within reasonable travel distance. Car service is available between Wagner College and all three airports for around $50 each way.

Amtrak, Long Island Railroad, and New Jersey Transit trains arrive at Penn Station in Manhattan at 34th Street and 7th Avenue. From Penn Station, take either a taxicab or the New York City Subway to the South Ferry Terminal. We recommend taking the 1 line to the South Ferry Terminal. A subway ride currently costs $2.75, if you use MetroCard, transfers to other trains or buses are free for two hours after the first fare is purchased. Take the Staten Island Ferry (free!) to Staten Island. For ferry service departure information, dial(718) 815-BOAT. The ferry trip takes about 25 minutes, and is free.

Once on Staten Island the two main options to reach Wagner from the ferry terminal are either by car service or bus. Wagner offers shuttle service (free) from the ferry to campus 7 days a week. From Ferry by Car Service, either ask the ferry terminal attendant for help calling for service, use a car that is waiting at the terminal, or call the office you are visiting beforehand for recommendations of the services we use most frequently.

Driving Directions

From the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge:

Via the Belt Parkway west or the Brooklyn - Queens Expressway (I-278 West), proceed to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge (either level of the bridge is fine!). After the tollbooths on the Staten Island side ($15 cash or EZPass), proceed straight along I-278 west for approximately 0.5 mile to Exit 13B ("Targee Street/Richmond Road"). This exit ramp leads to a service road running parallel to I-278. Proceed on the service road to the third traffic light at Clove Road. Turn right onto Clove Road and proceed approximately 100 yards to the first light at Howard Avenue. Turn right onto Howard Avenue. You will pass through three traffic lights, and at the top of Grymes Hill, pass Main Hall and Sutter Oval on the right. Immediately after the third traffic light, turn right into the main entrance of Wagner College, marked "Main Entrance".

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From the Goethals Bridge:

Take the NJ Turnpike (North or South) to Exit 13, to get on the Goethals Bridge. After the turnpike tollbooth, bear left towards the Goethals Bridge. Cross the Goethals Bridge. After the tollbooth ($13 cash or EZPass) on Staten Island, proceed on I-278 East. Continue on I-278 to Exit 13 ("Clove Road/ Richmond Road/ Hylan Boulevard"). Note: Do not exit at earlier Richmond Avenue exit. At the light at the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto Clove Road. At the second light on Clove Road, turn right onto Howard Avenue (look for the Wagner College sign at this intersection). Pass through three traffic lights on Howard Avenue, and at the top of Grymes Hill, turn right into the main entrance of Wagner College, marked "Main Entrance".

From the Outerbridge Crossing:

Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 10, or the Garden State Parkway to Exit 127, and follow signs to the Outerbridge Crossing onto Staten Island. Route 1 and 9 travelers exit onto 440 North. After the tollbooths on Staten Island ($13 cash or EZPass), proceed north on Route 440 (West Shore Expressway) for approximately five miles. At the intersection with I-278, bear right onto I-278 East. From I-278 take Exit 13 ("Clove Road /Richmond Road"). Note: Do not exit at earlier Richmond Avenue exit. At the light at the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto Clove Road. At the second light on Clove Road, turn right onto Howard Avenue (look for the Wagner College sign at this intersection). Pass through three traffic lights on Howard Avenue. At the top of Grymes Hill, turn right into the main entrance of Wagner College, marked "Main Entrance".

From the Whitestone Bridge:

Follow 95 South to New York. Take Exit 14 (Whitestone Bridge / Hutchinson River Parkway South). Proceed over the Whitestone Bridge and follow signs for 678 South / Van Wyck Expressway towards JKF Airport. Continue on 678 South / Van Wyck Expressway to the end, and then take the Belt Parkway heading west, following signs for the Verrazano Narrows Bridge (either level of the bridge is fine). After the tollbooths on the Staten Island side ($15 cash or EZPass), proceed straight along I-278 west for approximately 0.5 mile to Exit 13B ("Targee Street/Richmond Road"). This exit ramp leads to a service road running parallel to I-278. Proceed on the service road to the third traffic light at Clove Road. Turn right onto Clove Road and proceed approximately 100 yards to the first light at Howard Avenue. Turn right onto Howard Avenue. You will pass through three traffic lights. Immediately after the third traffic light, turn right into the main entrance of Wagner College, marked "Main Entrance".

From the Tappan Zee Bridge:

Follow 95 South to 287, following signs for the Tappan Zee Bridge. Follow 287 to this bridge. Cross the Tappan Zee and follow signs for the Garden State Parkway South. Follow the Garden State Parkway until you cross Route 80 East, take Rte. 80 to 95 South / NJ Turnpike. Take the NJ Turnpike to Exit 13, to get on the Goethals Bridge. After the turnpike tollbooths, bear left towards the Goethals Bridge. Cross the Goethals Bridge, and after the tollbooth ($13 cash or EZPass) on Staten Island, proceed on I-278 East. Continue on I-278 to Exit 13 ("Clove Road/ Richmond Road/ Hylan Boulevard"). Note: Do not exit at earlier Richmond Avenue exit. At the light at the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto Clove Road. At the second light on Clove Road, turn right onto Howard Avenue (look for the Wagner College sign at this intersection). You will pass through three traffic lights. Immediately after the third traffic light, turn right into the main entrance of Wagner College, marked "Main Entrance".

Wagner College in Film and Television

Wagner's campus has been featured in several films, television-show episodes, and advertisements, including:

"The Sopranos," Ep. 39, "Army of One," 2001.
"The Education of Max Bickford," 2001.
"School of Rock," 2003 film.
"The Visitor," 2007 film.
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," TV series, "Swing" (S10, E3, 2008) and "Lunacy" (S10, E4, 2008).
"You Don't Know Jack," 2010 made-for-TV biopic.
"AmeriQua" (also titled "Eurotrapped"), a 2013 film.
"Mayhem: We're Going to the Playoffs!" Allstate TV ad.
"Crashing," HBO series, "NACA" (S2, E7, 2018).
"Jimmy," Clear biometric ID system commercial (2019).
"Bull," CBS TV series, "Behind the Ivy" (S4, E12, 2020).
"The King of Staten Island" (2020).

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