SUNY Old Westbury ranks No. 18 among public national liberal arts colleges. Explore Scarecrow Garden and fall programs at Old Westbury Gardens.

Westbury House and lawn at Old Westbury Gardens

Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, NY. Photo: SavidgeMichael / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Image extracted from the supplied article; resized from the original.

By Mike Pesce & Ron Lanzillotta, The Pesce & Lanzillotta Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Laffey International Realty

October on the Gold Coast has a particular feel: long driveways, turning leaves and weekends that still feel unhurried. This week, Old Westbury is in the news for two very different reasons—one academic, one pure autumn fun. SUNY Old Westbury landed a national ranking among the country's top public liberal arts colleges, and Old Westbury Gardens' Scarecrow Garden exhibit is open through the end of the month. If you live here, or you're browsing Old Westbury listings on LIPropertySearch.com, both stories capture what draws people to this corner of Nassau.

SUNY Old Westbury: No. 18 Among Public National Liberal Arts Colleges

According to SUNY Old Westbury’s official rankings page, the university placed No. 18 among Top Public National Liberal Arts Colleges in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 rankings. This is a ranking within that category, rather than a ranking of all public colleges nationwide.

Bryan Terry, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, told the Press the ranking is tied to the university's social justice mission. He pointed to the school's long history of supporting Pell Grant students, noted that more non-Pell students are now enrolling, and said the national recognition is new for a university that had "gone under the radar."

According to the university, the student body is about 35% Hispanic/Latinx, 22% African American and about 12.2% Asian, with women expected to make up roughly 60% of students this year. The university offers bachelor's programs in Black Studies and in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Under President Timothy Sams, it is also reintroducing an honors program this year with additional funding.

The Catalyst also noted a separate recognition: four out of five stars from Money magazine for the seventh time. Money's methodology weighs graduation rates, student debt, financial aid and related outcomes.

For homebuyers and parents shopping the North Shore, a campus with rising national visibility is part of the local fabric—alongside the estates, the Gardens and easy access to Jericho Turnpike and the Long Island Expressway.

Scarecrow Garden at Old Westbury Gardens Through October 31

A few minutes from campus, Old Westbury Gardens is deep into its fall calendar. The Scarecrow Garden exhibit runs October 3 through 31, 2026. Visitors can vote for Crowd Favorite through October 31, and the exhibit is included with regular admission.

The Gardens are at 71 Old Westbury Road in Old Westbury, and you can reach them at (516) 333-0048 or info@oldwestburygardens.org. The full fall schedule is at the Gardens’ fall program page.

More Fall Programs at the Gardens

If you're planning a weekend visit—or showing the lifestyle to out-of-town buyers—two hands-on programs are on the calendar:

  • Embroidery class: Wednesday, October 14, 4 to 6 p.m. Cost is $30 (20% off for members). Ages 12 and up / adults. Pre-registration required.
  • Find Your Art Tour & Workshop: Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per child and $27 per adult (20% off for members). All ages, with an adult required for children.

According to the LongIsland.com event listing, a staged reading of Quite Contrary: A Secret Garden by Aly Kantor is scheduled at Old Westbury Gardens on Saturday, October 24, from 6 to 9 p.m., in the red ballroom of Westbury House. Tickets are $10, and the reading is supported by a Huntington Arts Council SCR grant, according to LongIsland.com's event listing.

Why Old Westbury Lifestyle Still Draws Gold Coast Buyers

Old Westbury doesn't sell itself on nightlife. It sells space, greenery and a setting that feels removed from the Parkway without being far from it. The Gardens give residents and guests a public window into that estate tradition. A strong local university adds another layer—students, faculty and campus events that keep the area from feeling frozen in time.

When buyers compare Old Westbury with the Brookvilles, Muttontown, Syosset and Upper Brookville, their questions usually come back to privacy, lot size and how close they'll be to parks and schools. Fall weekends at the Gardens are a good way to feel that lifestyle before you write an offer.

Search Old Westbury Homes on LIPropertySearch.com

Browse current Old Westbury and nearby Gold Coast listings on LIPropertySearch.com. If you're thinking about listing this fall or next spring, contact Mike or Ron for a no-pressure look at recent sales on your street. Reach Mike Pesce or Ron Lanzillotta at 516.888.9711 or info@pl-team.com.

Published October 9, 2026. Event schedules, admission and availability may change; confirm with Old Westbury Gardens before visiting.

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