1. Siena College

2. University at Albany

3. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Why? Siena is tops for the second year in a row, but this time the success, or lack thereof, of the basketball isn’t the reason. The 3,000 student school has clearly found a niche, as an affordable liberal arts school on a beautiful campus right in our own backyard. And it’s alumni are clearly closer readers of the Times Union than those of the University at Albany, which is six times bigger. Rounding out the top three is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, all in the same order as last year.