Plaza College is a private, for‑profit technical college located in New York City, United States. Established in 1916, the institution offers associate degrees and certificate programs focused on career‑oriented fields such as business, technology, health care, and hospitality. The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and operates a single campus in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens.
Contents
- [[History]]
- [[Campus]]
- [[Academics]]
- 3.1 [[Programs of Study]]
- 3.2 [[Accreditation]]
- [[Student Life]]
- [[Notable Alumni]]
- [[See also]]
- [[References]]
History
Plaza College was founded in 1916 as the Plaza School of Commercial Studies by a group of local businessmen who sought to provide practical business education to the growing immigrant population of New York City. The school originally offered short‑term courses in bookkeeping, typing, and shorthand.
In the 1960s the institution expanded its curriculum to include associate degree programs and was renamed Plaza College of Business. The college moved to its current Queens location in 1972, occupying a former industrial building that was renovated to accommodate classrooms, laboratories, and student services.
During the 1990s the college broadened its academic portfolio to incorporate technology and health‑care programs, responding to regional labor‑market demands. In 2004, Plaza College received candidacy status from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and achieved full accreditation in 2008.
Campus
The sole campus of Plaza College is situated at 140-44 44th Avenue, Long Island City, Queens, New York, NY 11101. The urban campus occupies a three‑story building featuring:
- Lecture halls equipped with multimedia technology
- Computer labs with industry‑standard software
- Health‑care simulation labs for nursing and allied‑health programs
- A library and study center
- Student lounge and café
- On‑site parking and easy access to public transportation (N, W, and 7 subway lines)
Academics
Programs of Study
Plaza College offers associate degrees (A.A.S.) and professional certificates in the following disciplines:
| Division | Degree/Certificate | Example Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Management | A.A.S. | Business Administration, Accounting, Marketing |
| Information Technology | A.A.S. | Network Administration, Cybersecurity, Web Development |
| Health Sciences | A.A.S. | Nursing (RN), Medical Assisting, Health Information Management |
| Hospitality & Culinary Arts | A.A.S. | Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts |
| Allied Programs | Certificate | Phlebotomy, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Billing & Coding |
All curricula are designed to align with the Curriculum Guidelines for Occupational Programs published by the New York State Education Department.
Accreditation
- Institutional Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) – accredited since 2008.
- Programmatic Accreditation:
- Nursing programs – Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Pharmacy Technician – Certified by the American Society of Health‑System Pharmacists (ASHP).
- Information Technology – Recognized by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) as a CCT (Computing Curriculum Tracker) partner.
Student Life
Plaza College maintains a modest student life program oriented around professional development:
- Career Services: Internship placement assistance, resume workshops, and employer networking events.
- Student Organizations: Business Club, IT Club, Health Sciences Society, and the Plaza Alumni Association.
- Community Outreach: Partnerships with local non‑profits for volunteer tutoring and health‑screening initiatives.
Notable Alumni
- Jenna Ortiz – Former chief financial officer of a Fortune 500 retail company; recognized in Forbes “30 Under 30” (2021).
- Carlos Rivera – Licensed practical nurse who founded a community health outreach program serving underserved neighborhoods in Queens.
- Mina Patel – Founder and CEO of a cybersecurity startup that secured Series A funding in 2023.
See also
- [[List of colleges and universities in New York City]]
- [[Middle States Commission on Higher Education]]
- [[For‑profit higher education in the United States]]
References
- Plaza College. About Us. Retrieved February 2026 from https://www.plazacollege.edu/about
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Accredited Institutions – Plaza College. Retrieved February 2026.
- New York State Education Department. Curriculum Guidelines for Occupational Programs. 2022.
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Accredited Programs – Plaza College. 2025.
- Forbes. 30 Under 30 – Finance. 2021.
This article is a summary based on publicly available information as of February 2026.