College of Staten Island CUNY

This is a commuter campus through and through—only 5% of students live on-site—but CSI makes efforts to combat anonymity. The Office of Student Life oversees 50+ clubs, ranging from the Anime Society to the Caribbean Students Association. The Instagram presence (@collegeofstatenisland) highlights kayaking trips on the nearby waterfront and multicultural festivals, while the Campus Center serves as a hub for commuters between classes. Greek life is virtually nonexistent; instead, students bond over affordable pizza in the Dolphin Café or intramural sports in the sprawling Sports and Recreation Center.

CSI’s six-year graduation rate hovers around 34%—low by national standards but typical for CUNY’s open-access mission. However, targeted programs like Liberty Partnerships boast a 96% graduation rate, far outpacing Staten Island’s district average. Alumni earn a median $36,427 one year post-graduation, with nursing and business majors likely pulling that average up. The college emphasizes workforce-ready skills: 47% of associate degree students in CUNY’s ASAP program graduate within three years, thanks to intensive advising and financial supports.

CSI is one of America’s best bargains: in-state tuition is $7,340/year, and the average net priceNet priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid drops to $6,355. Over half of students qualify for Pell Grants, and CUNY’s Excelsior Scholarship covers tuition for families earning under $125,000. The financial aid office aggressively promotes the Net Price Calculator to demystify costs—a necessity for its working-class student body, 40% of whom are first-generationFirst-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context.. Typical debt at graduation is $14,350, far below the national average.

CSI defies expectations. It’s a commuter school with a 204-acre waterfront campus that feels more like a SUNY than a typical urban CUNY. Its nursing program rivals private colleges at a fraction of the cost, while business majors benefit from NYC internships without Manhattan rents. The 96% graduation rate for Liberty Partnerships—a program targeting at-risk high schoolers—proves CSI’s transformative potential for students who might slip through the cracks elsewhere. For Staten Island’s blue-collar families and first-genFirst-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. strivers, this is the ticket to the middle class.