Flushing, NYprivate forprofitwww.acs.edu/
Alliance Computing Solutions is not a traditional liberal arts college, but a focused, practical career training school in the heart of Queens, NYC. Established in 1998, it operates with the singular mission of providing vocational training in computing and technology, from introductory courses to high-level industry certifications. The environment is functional and quiet, designed for adults seeking specific skills rather than a residential undergraduate experience.
More details
Outcomes & value
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
The admissions landscape at Alliance Computing Solutions is notably opaque and contradictory when viewed through the lens of traditional college admissions data. Publicly available sources present wildly conflicting , from 0% to 100%, with major platforms like the College Board's BigFuture stating acceptance rate information is simply "not available." This confusion is emblematic of its nature as a career-focused training institute rather than a selective undergraduate college. The school does not publish standardized test score ranges (SAT/ACT) for admitted students, nor does it list specific GPA requirements. According to its own admission policy, decisions are based on an applicant's academic qualifications, relevant experience, results from an admissions assessment, and program availability. The concept of Early Decision, a staple of competitive four-year colleges, does not appear to be part of its admissions framework; the process seems geared toward rolling enrollment into specific vocational programs.
Academics at ACS are defined by practicality and direct career preparation. The institution describes itself as a "best career training school of NYC" offering a "wide range of vocational training courses" at its campuses in Flushing and Manhattan. Its curriculum spans "from introduction to computers to the highest level of certifications in the industry." Founded in 1998 and licensed by the New York State Education Department, it is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. The model is that of a post-secondary educational institute, not a degree-granting university in the traditional sense. Consequently, standard metrics like student-to-faculty ratio, popular majors, and retention rate are not published or made available on standard academic profiles. The focus is unequivocally on skill acquisition for specific technical roles, with courses designed to lead to industry-recognized certifications.
Student life at Alliance Computing Solutions is a world apart from the typical residential college experience. There is no mention of dormitories, dining halls, Greek life, or organized athletics. The campus life profile on BigFuture is essentially blank, indicating the absence of these conventional amenities. The environment appears to be that of a commuter-based training center. A Yelp review describes it as a "great place to take tests! opens 7 days a week, nice and quiet environment, great and friendly staff," which paints a picture of a functional, focused, and supportive setting for adult learners. The experience is centered on arriving for classes or certification exams, not on extracurricular immersion. Any notion of a traditional "campus life" with shared meals and social events—as hinted at by an unrelated Instagram post about "Alliance University"—is not applicable to this institution.
Outcome data for ACS is limited but points toward its mission of timely, practical training. According to Data USA, in 2023, 63% of students graduating from Alliance Computing Solutions completed their program within 100% of "normal time" (which, for its programs, is likely measured against program-specific benchmarks rather than a standard four-year timeline). The institution is required to provide Gainful Employment disclosures, which detail information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings, underscoring its accountability for career-oriented results. The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard is cited as a source for reliable data on costs, graduation, and post-college earnings, though specific figures for ACS are not provided in the snippets. The focus on graduation rates as a key to economic growth, as discussed in an Alliance for Excellent Education press release, aligns thematically with the school's purpose, though that report is about high school, not post-secondary, graduation.
The cost structure at Alliance Computing Solutions is that of a private career school. Published estimates list a total price of $25,517, which includes $11,100 for living expenses (food and housing) and tuition and fees. However, the canonical figure for the average after aid is $13,824. Financial aid is available, with 100% of students receiving federal grants averaging $3,600, and state/local grants are also part of the aid picture. The school offers a Net Price Calculator on its website for prospective students to estimate their costs. It directs students to financial aid resources from the U.S. Department of Education and offers aid for specific programs. There is no indication in the provided sources that ACS has a "no-loan" policy or a commitment to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans; its aid appears to be a mix of federal and state grants.
Alliance Computing Solutions stands out precisely because it does not try to be a traditional university. In a landscape obsessed with Ivy League selectivity and holistic liberal arts education, ACS is a pure pragmatist. It serves a specific, underserved niche: adults in New York City seeking targeted, efficient career training in computing without the trappings of campus life. Its identity is clear—a vocational institute licensed by the state and focused on industry certifications. The confusion in its public admissions data (0% vs. 100% ) ironically highlights its distinct lane; it operates outside the conventional metrics of undergraduate selectivity. It provides a quiet, seven-days-a-week environment for focused study and testing. For a student whose goal is a specific technical certification to advance or change a career, ACS offers a straightforward, no-frills path, making it a singular option in the Flushing and Manhattan educational ecosystem.


