As of academic year 2018–2019, the institution enrolled approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds representing 35 states and 47 countries of origin.

They recognized that many of their graduates could not afford the cost of local universities, and so began to form Iona College.

On September 19, 1940, Iona College opened its doors with nine Christian Brothers and six lay faculty greeting the first class.

The Christian Brothers named the college after Iona, the island monastery of St. Columba [Irish: St. Colmcille; Scottish Gaelic: Calum Cille; Manx: Colum Keeilley] located on the west coast of Scotland.

Previous to opening in New York, the brothers taught at Saint Mary's College in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

When World War II concluded, returning veterans, helped by the GI Bill and attracted by Iona's practical majors, soon stretched the college to capacity.

In June 1966, Iona College issued diplomas to its first graduate students—which included two clergymen who earned their master's in pastoral counseling.

[4] The program existed until 1995, when Iona College reevaluated and reaffirmed its mission to be a four-year institution, and the Seton School of Associate Degree Studies was closed.

[14] Several specific programs and units are accredited by specialized accreditors: Iona is categorized in U.S. News & World Report College Rankings as a Regional University - North and for 2022 is tied for #55 place.

The Iona University Libraries hold over 250,000 volumes and multimedia resources as well as 500 current print periodicals.

In addition the libraries provide access to thousands of electronic resources and journals for both on and off-campus users.

[18] Its 28 acres (0.11 km2) Bronxville campus was acquired in a May 2021 agreement with Concordia College which closed its doors that year.

In April 2017, South was renamed in recognition of Alice Marie and Thomas E. Hales ’58, ’04H for their leadership commitment to the Iona Forever campaign and support to the college.

Amenities include a game room, TV lounge, kitchen, computer lab, and gym.

The corner of the building, which located opposite the college's main entrance, has open spaces with glass windows that look onto campus and downtown New Rochelle.

Sororities Fraternities The Iona University Gaels are members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and participate in NCAA Division I.