CUNY City College
Quick Degree Finder
Find an Accredited Program
Accepting applicants in this field now.
Results are sponsored program matches from BestColleges, our advertising partner. Privacy Terms
Why CUNY City College Matters
CUNY City College is a public research university in New York, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 12,505
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Psychology, Engineering, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose CUNY City College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 60% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1070–1430. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $3,776 a year after grants and scholarships — 78% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $66,039 ten years after enrolling — 62% above the typical college, against $11,990 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.63 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
CUNY City College is an excellent choice for students looking for a solid education at an affordable price. With an enrollment of over 12,500 students and a 60% acceptance rate, it attracts a diverse group of learners. Here, students dive into a range of programs like psychology, engineering, social sciences, biology and biomedical studies, and visual and performing arts. This variety means there’s likely something for nearly every interest, making it a fitting environment for those eager to explore different academic paths.
After graduation, students can expect a good return on their investment. With a 10-year earnings average of $66,039, graduates are generally well-prepared to enter the workforce. Affordability is a strong point—especially considering the median debt is just $11,990. For many, this means they can pursue their career goals without the heavy burden of overwhelming student loans, which is crucial for financial stability in the long run.
When we look at the bottom line, the net price after aid is only $3,776, making it accessible for many, especially with a Pell Grant rate of 61%. This financial support can help ease the transition into college life. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a diverse and vibrant urban setting while being focused on their academic and career ambitions. The community is supportive, and with the right mindset, many find a pathway to success after their time at City College.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective CUNY City College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into CUNY City College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in New York, New York, CUNY City College admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 60%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,260. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 56%.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend CUNY City College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
When weighing the true cost of attending CUNY City College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $15,290 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $3,776 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,251 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $11,990.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is CUNY City College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of CUNY City College earn a median of $66,039, roughly in line with national averages for graduates.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
How CUNY Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields CUNY City College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for CUNY City College's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into CUNY City College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
As a public institution in New York, New York, CUNY City College admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 60%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,260. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend CUNY City College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending CUNY City College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $15,290 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $3,776 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,251 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $11,990.
Is CUNY City College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +
Ten years out, alumni of CUNY City College earn a median of $66,039, roughly in line with national averages for graduates.
How Connected Is CUNY City College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks +
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs high at CUNY City College, with an economic connectedness score of 1.63 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to CUNY City College.
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is CUNY City College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs high at CUNY City College, with an economic connectedness score of 1.63 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.