One of Rochester's most important assets is its academic community. There are over a dozen centers devoted to advanced education within the Rochester-Finger Lakes-Genesee Valley Region, and they add vibrancy to the area's employment, culture, and quality of life.

College students and faculty actively support community needs, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, social work, and the arts. Most offer workshops, lectures, music, and films open to the general public. There are also plenty of options for adult and continuing ed learners seeking certification or an advanced degree while still working. (Please note that tuitions usually do not include room and board costs. We've included websites for additional information.)

ColgateRochesterCrozerDivinitySchool

An ecumenical community of men and women dedicated to the understanding of more than 20 Christian denominations, it's located on one of the most beautiful campuses in town.

Tuition: $1240/course

Enrollment: 150

Student-faculty ratio: 9-1

Rochester. 271-1320; www.crds.edu.

Finger LakesCommunity College (FLCC)

Excellent training in business, environmental science, nursing, criminal justice, and performing arts. Also home to the MarvinSands-ConstellationBrandsPerformingArtsCenter.

Tuition: $1450/semester for state residents; $2900/semester out-of-state residents; off-campus r&b.

Enrollment: 4910

Student-faculty ratio: 19-1

Canandaigua.394-3522; www.fingerlakes.edu.

Hobart and WilliamSmithColleges

Unique liberal arts setting that allows students to design their own majors; nestled in the center of the Finger Lakes.

Tuition: $31,850/year; mostly on-campus r&b.

Enrollment: 1854

Student-faculty ratio: 11-1

Geneva. 800-852-2256; www.hws.edu

MonroeCommunity College (MCC)

The largest community college in Upstate New York providing more than 80 different degree and certification programs. The school is known for its "2 Plus 2 Plan" which allows students to start with two years at MCC and finish a bachelor's degree at another area college.

Tuition: $1300/semester for state residents; $2600 for out-of-state residents; now offering on-campus r&b, as well as downtown Damon Campus classes.

Enrollment: 35,000.

Brighton.292-2000; www.monroecc.edu.

NazarethCollege

Nationally recognized liberal arts college known for excellent business, education, arts, speech pathology, nursing, social work, and physical therapy programs, including a doctorate in physical therapy. Undergraduate and undergraduate degrees.Also home to the NazarethArtsCenter, a major regional performance hall.

Tuition: $19,214/year. Mostly on-campus r&b.

Enrollment: 3120

Student-faculty ratio: 13-1

Pittsford.389-2525; www.naz.edu.

RobertsWesleyanCollege

More than 50 undergrad and graduate programs, including business, nursing, social work, and health administration. Divinity and theological programs are also unique to Roberts Wesleyan. On-campus r&b, but many students commute from the area.

Tuition: $18,350/year

Enrollment: 1948

Student-faculty ratio: 14-1

Chili. 594-6000, www.roberts.edu

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

Nationally recognized for its graphic design, photography, and engineering programs. Home to the School of American Crafts and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the largest technical institute for the hearing-impaired in the world.

Tuition: $23,247/year for undergrad; $25,392/year for grad.

Enrollment: 15,200

Student-faculty ratio: 13-1

Rochester. 475-2411, www.rit.edu; NTID 475-6700 (TTY), www.ntidweb.rit.edu.

St. JohnFisherCollege

Known for its superior undergraduate education programs, the school's top five areas of emphasis include business management, childhood ed, communications-journalism, special ed, and nursing. New pharmacy school enrolls first class in fall 2006. Undergrad and graduate programs.

Tuition: $19,300. Mostly on-campus r&b.

Enrollment: 2500 full time, 900 part-time students.

Student-faculty ratio: 14-1

Rochester. 385-5000; www.sjfc.edu.

SUNY Brockport

Strong liberal arts school with programs in education, social work, and the arts. Known for its dance department and Creative Writing Series.Undergrad and graduate programs.

Tuition: $4350/year for in-state students; $10,300 for out-of-state students.

Enrollment: 8642

Student-faculty ratio: 18-1

Brockport.395-2211; www.brockport.edu.

SUNY Geneseo

Has earned a national reputation as NY's "public ivy" school, especially for its excellent programs and reasonable tuition costs. Long considered NY's best teaching preparation school. Not far from LetchworthState Park.

Tuition: $4350 for in-state residents; $10,920 for out-of-state residents.

Enrollment: 5174

Student-faculty ratio: 19-1

Geneseo.245-5211; www.geneseo.edu.

SUNYEmpireState College

Uniquely structured approach to college instruction that is aimed at off-campus and on-the-job workers who need flexibility in their education schedule. There are 35 campuses statewide, with the Genesee Regional campus located on Winton Road in the city. Students meet with faculty individually for one-on-one mentoring.

Tuition: $181/per credit for in-state residents; $442/per credit for out-of-state residents.

Enrollment: 1100

Student-faculty ratio: 1-1

Rochester. 224-3200; www.esc.edu

University of Rochester

One of the nation's leading private universities and the area's largest employer. The Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, and Warner School of Education are among the best known. The UniversityMedicalCenter, a research and teaching hospital, augments the schools of medicine and nursing. Mostly on-campus r&b.

Tuition: $30,540/year

Enrollment: 8500

Student-faculty ratio: 9-1

Rochester. 275-2121; www.rochester.edu