Top 22 Most Haunted Colleges & Universities in New York

The following is a list of allegedly haunted colleges and universities in New York. To view my full list of ghost stories and haunted locations in New York, Click Here. And if you liked this list, be sure to check out my new book, The Folklore & Haunted Locations Guide: New York, available on Amazon!!
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#1 - Bard College

Coordinates:  42.018645°, -73.910096°
Location Address:  Blithewood Avenue, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York
​Founded in 1860, Bard College is a private liberal arts college in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. The Blithewood Mansion was constructed in 1900 by Captain Andrew C. Zabriski, and is said to be haunted by the spirit of one of his four daughters who died after falling from an upstairs window while staying in the Zabriski's New York City apartment. Ever since, students have reported encountering the spirit of a woman believed to be Captain Zabriski's deceased daughter, as well as feeling unexplained cold spots and drops in temperature. The Blithewood Mansion was incorporated as part of Bard College in 1951 as part of the Levy Economics Institute.

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#2 - ​Bennett College & School For Women

​​​​Coordinates:  41.776402°, -73.699343°
Location Address:  79 Bennett Common Way, Millbrook, New York
​Bennett College & School For Women in Millbrook, New York was constructed in 1890 as a hotel and resort, and became Bennett School for Women in 1907. It was closed in 1978, and has been vacant ever since. The main building on campus, called Halcyon Hall, is said to be haunted by the spirits of several former students and faculty members who remain at the school for unknown reasons. Urban explorers report witnessing apparitions, as well as experiencing other paranormal activity, such as hearing disembodied voices and footsteps, and witnessing doors being slammed shut by an unseen entity. Others report feeling sudden cold spots, as well as feeling the presence of an unseen entity, and many also claim that a strange force exists that tries to prevent explorers from entering the basement and attic area.

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#3 - Canisius College

Coordinates:  42.927339°, -78.853113°
Location Address:  2001 Main Street, Buffalo, New York
Canisius College in Buffalo, New York was founded in 1870 by members of a Jesuit order called The Society of Jesus. In Christ the King Chapel it's said that disembodied voices are heard coming from empty areas, and members of the church report witnessing the apparition of an elderly man in the basement. Many students in Frisch Hall claim that the 5th floor is haunted by the spirit of a former student who committed suicide, and others in Lyon hall report encountering the spirit of a former nun, whose apparition is seen wandering the hallways at night.

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#4 - Concordia College

Coordinates:  40.942677°, -73.822148°
Location Address:  171 White Plains Road, Bronxville, New York
Constructed in 1909, students at Concordia College in Bronxville, New York report encountering apparitions and experiencing other unexplained paranormal phenomena in Bohm Hall, Feth Hall, Rippe Hall, and Sieker Hall. Sieker Hall is said to be haunted by the spirit of a former student who died of pneumonia, and Rippe Hall is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young girl who once lived on the property before Concordia College was established. Many students have reported witnessing apparitions in these locations, as well as experiencing other paranormal phenomena, such as unexplained cold spots, lights flickering, doors opening and closing by themselves, and feeling the presence of an unseen entity.

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#5 - Daemen College

​Coordinates:  42.964723°, -78.789442°
Location Address:  4380 Main Street, Amherst, New York
Daemen College in Amherst, New York was established in 1847 by a Catholic charity group called the Sisters of St. Frances of Penance. Curtis Hall is said to be haunted by the spirits of two brothers who committed suicide while living in an old farmhouse that once occupied the location. Although these claims are unable to be validated, students and faculty members at Curtis Hall report hearing strange disembodied voices and footsteps, as well as feeling the presence of an unseen entity.

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#6 - Dutchess Community College

​Coordinates:  41.722218°, -73.906790°
Location Address:  53 Pendell Road, Poughkeepsie, New York
Bowne Hall at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, New York was constructed in 1913 as Nettie Bowne Tuberculosis Hospital. It is said to be haunted by the spirits of former patients who died painful deaths from tuberculosis and other diseases. Students at Bowne Hall report witnessing apparitions, as well as experiencing other paranormal activity, such as lights turning on and off by themselves, and feeling the presence of an unseen entity. Some paranormal investigators at this location have also reported capturing voices and other unexplained sounds on cameras and voice recorders.

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#7 - D'Youville College

Coordinates:  42.902589°, -78.890939°
Location Address:  320 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, New York
D'Youville College in Buffalo, New York was originally constructed in 1874 as the Holy Angels Academy. Students at the Koessler Administration building report witnessing apparitions, and hearing disembodied footsteps, voices, and the sounds of children playing. The spirit of a young woman is also seen on the 3rd and 4th floor, and employees working in the old building late at night report experiencing a variety of other unexplained paranormal activity, such as lights flickering, disembodied voices, footsteps, and doors opening or closing by themselves. Although many witnesses have come forward with claims of encountering ghostly entities at D'Youville College, the reason for their presence is unknown.

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​#8 - Elmira College

​​​Coordinates:  42.096782°, -76.815370°
Location Address:  1 Park Place, Elmira, New York
Elmira College in Elmira, New York was founded in 1855 as an all-women's college. Tompkins Hall, which was constructed in 1926, is said to be haunted by the spirit of a former student named Mary, who allegedly died in some type of tragic accident on the 4th floor. Students residing in Tompkins Hall report witnessing Mary's apparition at night, most often in the reflections of windows and mirrors, and others report hearing disembodied voices in the empty hallways and bathrooms late at night. Students and faculty members in Cowles Hall also report hearing disembodied voices and witnessing strange glowing orbs at night, as well as feeling the presence of an unseen entity.

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#9 - Fordham University

Location Address:  Lincoln Center Campus, Rose Hill Campus & Westchester Campus, The Bronx, New York
Fordham University in The Bronx, New York was founded in 1841 by the Catholic Diocese Of New York, and is renowned for being the oldest university in the northeastern United States. Students report witnessing apparitions and experiencing other unexplained paranormal activity in the Administration Office, Collins Auditorium, Finlay Hall, Hughes Hall, Keating Hall, Martyr's Court, and O'Hare Hall. There are believed to be dozens of different spirits that haunt the campus, which was constructed over the site of an old hospital. A series of underground tunnels were once used to connect different areas of the hospital, and students visiting these underground areas report feeling the presence of an unseen entity, as well as feelings of extreme fear and nausea. Keating Hall is said to be the most active location on campus due to the fact that it was allegedly built over the hospital's morgue. Students at Keating Hall report witnessing unidentified apparitions and shadow figures, especially in the basement area, and many have also claimed to witness chairs and other objects being thrown around by an unseen entity. Other paranormal activity has been reported throughout Fordham University's 85-acre campus, such as cold spots, apparitions, and disembodied voices.

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#10 - Hobart & William Smith Colleges

​​​​Coordinates:  42.859499°,  -76.985275°
Location Address:  300 Pulteney Street, Geneva, New York
​Hobart & William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York were established in 1797 as the Geneva Academy. The academy later became Hobart College For Men, and in 1943 was combined with the William Smith College For Women. Students in Hirshon Hall often report experiencing unexplained paranormal activity in Room 304, such as disembodied voices and scratching sounds, and objects being moved or thrown by an unseen entity. Many have also reported witnessing ghostly apparitions reflected in windows and mirrors when the room is otherwise empty. In nearby Smith Hall, students report hearing the disembodied footsteps of someone walking around on the roof, as well as witnessing a shadowy figure walking a dog.

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#11 - Keuka College

​​​​​Coordinates:  42.615151°, -77.090541°
Location Address:  141 Central Avenue, Keuka Park, New York
​Keuka College in Keuka Park, New York was founded in 1890 by a man named George Harvey Ball, who passed away in 1907 and whose apparition is said to haunt Ball Hall. Students at Ball Hall report witnessing Mr. Ball's apparition throughout the building, accompanied by the phantom scent of strong cologne. Others report feeling a strange presence, as well as experiencing other paranormal phenomena, such as hearing disembodied voices, and witnessing electronic devices such as flashlights and televisions turning on and off by themselves.

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#12 - Marist College

​Coordinates:  41.722456°, -73.934120°
Location Address:  3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, New York
Students at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York claim that Sheahan Hall is haunted by the spirit of a former student named Shelley Sperling, who was killed by her jealous ex-boyfriend on February 18, 1975. According to police reports, Ms. Sperling was shot while running away from a young man named Louis Acevedo, who was emotionally distraught after their recent breakup. Students at Sheahan Hall often report encountering Shelley Sperling's apparition, as well as witnessing doors opening and closing by themselves, and objects being moved or thrown across the room by an unseen entity. Others report feeling sudden cold spots or drops in temperature, as well as experiencing unexplained issues with electronic devices, such as flashlight batteries being drained, or televisions and radios turning on and off by themselves.

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#13 - Medaille College

Coordinates:  42.928608°, -78.855954°
Location Address:  18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, New York
Established in 1875 by the Sisters of St. Joseph as Mount St. Joseph Teachers College, Medaille College in Buffalo, New York is said to be haunted by the spirit of a boy who committed suicide for unknown reasons, as well as other unidentified apparitions and shadow figures. One former student named Hannah once reported having a series of dreams about the dead boy after using a Ouija board at a party. According to Hannah, the boy was hanging from the ceiling and explained that he had committed suicide due to repeated incidents of abuse by a former nun. Other student over the years have also reported witnessing the apparitions of former students sitting in empty classrooms, as well as experiencing other strange paranormal occurrences, such as disembodied voices, cold spots, or feelings of being watched by an unseen entity.

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#14 - Sage College Of Albany

Coordinates:  42.65155°,  -73.783589°
Location Address:  140 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York
Built over the site of an old orphanage, Sage College Of Albany is said to be haunted by the spirits of a number of orphans who were allegedly abused and neglected by caretakers. According to legend several young boys died from the abuse, and were buried in unmarked graves. Their bodies were not discovered until after the Sage College of Albany began construction in 1949. Ever since, students at Sage College have reported witnessing the apparitions of several young children, as well as hearing the sounds of disembodied voices and whispers, and the sounds of children playing.

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​#15 - State University Of New York, Albany

Coordinates:  42.648300°,  -73.750505°
Location Address:  State University Plaza, Albany, New York
Founded in 1844 as the New York State Normal School, the State University of New York (also known as "SUNY Albany," or just "SUNY") is a public research university in Albany, New York. Many students have reported feeling a strange presence in their dorm rooms in Mohican Hall, and experiencing objects such as books being thrown or dropped by an unseen entity, while other students report encountering strange apparitions that pace around the hallways seemingly unaware that people are present.

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#16 - State University Of New York, Geneseo

​​​Coordinates:  42.796007°, -77.823863°
Location Address:  1 College Circle, Geneseo, New York
Students at the State University of New York in Geneseo, New York report witnessing the apparition of a young boy who was accidentally killed during the construction of Blake Hall. Students and faculty members have reported witnessing the boy's apparition in both Blake and Stuben Hall, as well as experiencing other unexplained paranormal activity, such as disembodied voices, laughter, and cold spots. In 1985, a famous photograph was taken in Erie Hall which allegedly shows the spirit of a poltergeist named Tommy. For weeks, the poltergeist allegedly haunted the C2D1 dorm room, and a priest was called in to exorcise the location, which allegedly halted the paranormal activity for a short period. The photograph later became known as "The C2D1 Ghost," and has been the subject of several books and documentaries, including an autobiography by one of the students who experienced the event, called Surviving Evidence: Memoir of An Extreme Haunting Survivor.

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#17 - State University Of New York, Potsdam

​Coordinates:  44.661529°, -74.973372°
Location Address:  44 Pierrepont Avenue, Potsdam, New York
The State University of New York (SUNY) in Potsdam, New York was established in 1816, and is one of the oldest universities in the United States. Satterlee Hall is said to be haunted by the spirit of SUNY Potsdam's first dean, Dr. Howard Satterlee, whose apparition is most often seen by students on the building's 3rd floor. Students in Knowles Hall also report encountering several unidentified apparitions, as well as experiencing other paranormal phenomena, such as sudden cold spots, doors opening and closing by themselves, and feeling the presence of an unseen entity, especially in the basement.

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#18 - St. Bonaventure University

Coordinates:  42.079808°, -78.484648°
Location Address:  ​​3261 W. State Street, Saint Bonaventure, New York
​Students at St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, New York report encountering spirits and experiencing paranormal phenomena in Francis Hall, De La Roche Hall, and Devereux Hall. De La Roche Hall is said to be haunted by the spirit of a former student who was killed in a fire, and whose apparition is often seen by students on the 3rd floor. Students at Francis Hall also report witnessing the apparitions of a group of former monks who once resided at the location when it was used as a seminary for Catholic priests. ​A group of students in the 1960's once allegedly attempted to summon a demon in Devereux Hall, and according to legend, evil spirits now haunt the location. Residents also report witnessing the apparition of a former World War I veteran, who haunts the location for unknown reasons.

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#19 - St. Lawrence University

​​​Coordinates:  44.590702°, -75.165922°
Location Address:  1 Lincoln Street, Canton, New York
Founded in 1856, St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young woman named Florence, whose apparition is often seen by students in an area known as The Hub. Students over the years have also reported feeling the presence of an unseen entity, and experiencing other strange paranormal occurrences, such as hearing disembodied voices and footsteps in empty parts of the building. Despite many who claim to have encountered Florence's ghost over the years, the reason for her presence is unknown.

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#20 - The College of St. Rose

Coordinates:  42.663638°,  -73.785442°
Location Address:  432 Western Avenue, Albany, New York
The College of St. Rose in Albany, New York was founded in 1920 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Several buildings on campus are said to be haunted by the spirits of former students and faculty members. Many who have attended the college have reported encountering shadow figures and apparitions, as well as hearing disembodied footsteps at night. Others report encountering the spirit of a former priest whose name and identity are unknown.

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#21 - Union College

Coordinates:  42.819302°, -73.928981°
Location Address:  897 Union Street, Schenectady, New York
Founded in 1795, Union College is a private liberal arts college in Schenectady, New York. The wooded area of campus known as Jackson's Garden is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young woman named Alice Van der Veer, who was allegedly burnt alive in 1672 after she was discovered having relations with a young suitor before marriage, which her father had strictly forbidden. Students near Jackson's Garden have reported encountering Alice's spirit late at night, allegedly still searching for her lost lover. In May of 1946 an article about Alice Van der Veer was published in the New York Folklore Quarterly, titled "The Union College Ghost," and in October of 1957 the story was made internationally famous when Life magazine published a Halloween spread about the Union College haunting, called "By Moonlight Burned."

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#22 - Wagner College

Coordinates:  40.614980°, -74.094405°
Location Address:  ​1 Campus Road, Staten Island, New York
Cunard Hall at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York was constructed in 1852 as a residential estate by the Cunard Family, and is now used as an administration building at Wagner College. It is said to be haunted by the spirit of a man who committed suicide in 1890 by jumping from a second story window. Students report witnessing the man's apparition at night, as well as hearing the disembodied sounds of a woman's voice.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​For additional information, or to see my complete list of folklore tales and haunted locations in New York, Click Here. And if you liked this list, be sure to check out my new book, The Folklore & Haunted Locations Guide: New York, available on Amazon!!​

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