Dix Hills, NYprivate forprofitwww.ftc.edu/
Five Towns College is a small, private institution in Dix Hills, NY, laser-focused on the performing arts, media, and business. With an acceptance rate hovering around 54-73%, it attracts creatively driven students who thrive in its hands-on programs—think music performance, film production, and court reporting. The college’s tight-knit vibe, heavy financial aid support (95% of qualified students receive aid), and Long Island location make it a niche pick for aspiring artists and entrepreneurs.
Five Towns College is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 54% (per U.S. News) to 73.9% (PrepScholar), likely reflecting varying applicant pools. Test scores for admitted students typically fall between 800–1020 on the SAT or 14–19 on the ACT, though submissions of Advanced Placement credits are accepted. The gender distribution of applicants skews male, with 66.3% of the undergraduate student body identifying as male versus 33.7% female. Notably, 95% of qualified applicants receive some form of financial aid, softening the sticker price of attendance.
Five Towns College is a haven for creatives, with undergraduate programs laser-focused on music, media, and performing arts. Its standout offerings include:
The faculty is described as 'highly credentialed' and hands-on, with small class sizes fostering mentorship. Roughly 33 degrees are awarded annually in business and related fields, but the college’s identity is firmly rooted in its arts-centric curriculum.
With just 662 undergraduates (fall 2023), Five Towns College offers an intimate, almost conservatory-like atmosphere. The campus buzzes with performances, film screenings, and industry workshops, per its Instagram feed. Residence halls host a mix of 'diverse religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds,' and the Long Island location provides easy access to NYC’s arts scene. Student life revolves around creative collaboration—think jam sessions in practice rooms or editing suites—rather than Greek life or D1 sports.
Graduation rates are a mixed bag: 49% overall (bottom 35% nationally), with a 70% freshman retention rate that suggests students who stay past year one tend to persist. Alumni median earnings one year post-graduation are $36,427, slightly below the national average. However, the college shines in niche fields—its 2026 commencement honored 125 grads in programs like Court Reporting and Music Performance, fields where networking and portfolio matter more than raw salary data.
Tuition sits at $30,250 (U.S. News), but the college aggressively discounts: 95% of qualified students receive aid, with an average package of $14,093 (BigFuture). Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. averages $18,765 after grants, though some reports peg it higher ($23,005). The school administers $5M annually in private scholarships, targeting arts students who might otherwise balk at the $50K+ total Cost of attendanceThe full estimated yearly cost of a college: tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and other expenses, before any financial aid..
Five Towns College is not for everyone—its low graduation rates and niche focus demand self-motivated students. But for aspiring musicians, filmmakers, and court reporters, it offers rare advantages:
It’s a no-frills incubator for those who know exactly what they want to do—and just need the tools to do it.