Admit rate has ranged 45%–55% over the last 5 years — notably volatile, though the latest figure above (58%) falls outside that window. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
CUNY Brooklyn College is a public liberal arts college that delivers a high-impact, low-cost education in the heart of New York City. It’s a place of staggering diversity and pragmatic ambition, where over 100 majors—from business to psychology to education—serve a student body that is largely local, commuter-based, and determined to get a serious return on investment. The campus vibe is active and self-directed, fueled by more than 150 student clubs and a palpable sense of opportunity, all for an average net price that makes it one of the most financially accessible four-year colleges in the country.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
10,543
In-state tuition
$7,452
Out-of-state tuition
$15,402
Graduation Rate
54%
Most Popular Major
Business, Management, Marketing (28% of grads)
Student Clubs & Orgs
150+
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$60,752
Avg. First-Year Need-Based Grant
$9,377
First-Year Students Receiving Need-Based Aid
65%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$60,752
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
19.6×
Median debt at graduation
$11,000
Graduation rate
54%
First-year retention
80%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
55%
Pell (lower-income) share
57%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
48%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer and Information Sciences, General$56,776
Mathematics$49,631
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$49,019
Information Science/Studies$42,188
Accounting and Related Services$41,464
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
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.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
96
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
31°F
Annual rain
51.1"
Annual snow
15.9"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
8.1%
Bottom → top quintile
35%
From bottom quintile
23%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at CUNY Brooklyn College?
CUNY Brooklyn College's acceptance rate is approximately 58% (Brooklyn, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for CUNY Brooklyn College?
Admitted students at CUNY Brooklyn College typically score 950–1340 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does CUNY Brooklyn College cost?
At CUNY Brooklyn College, the average net price (after aid) is about $3,103 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend CUNY Brooklyn College?
CUNY Brooklyn College enrolls approximately 10,543 undergraduate students.
Where is CUNY Brooklyn College located?
CUNY Brooklyn College is located in Brooklyn, NY.
Admissions
Brooklyn College operates with a moderately selective admissions process, accepting just over half of its applicants. The admissions decision is based primarily on a student's academic preparation in high school, including overall grade point average, course grades, and the rigor of their curriculum. For the Fall 2023 through Spring 2025 admission cycles, SAT and ACT scores are optional, giving students flexibility in how they present their academic profile. The college does not offer an Early Decision program, and while specific data on demonstrated interest is not detailed in the provided sources, the emphasis is squarely on academic factors. The process is designed to be accessible, with a straightforward application and a focus on identifying students prepared for the rigors of a public liberal arts education.
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.
$38,230
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$35,060
Communication and Media Studies$34,847
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
The academic experience at Brooklyn College is defined by breadth and practical focus. The college offers more than 100 different majors and graduate programs across the arts, education, sciences, humanities, and business. This vast catalog allows students to explore widely, but the curriculum is anchored by a few dominant fields. The most popular majors reflect a career-oriented student body: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services account for 28% of graduates, followed by Psychology (17%), Education (9%), and Health Professions and Related Programs. The college identifies itself as a public liberal arts college, suggesting a commitment to foundational learning within a professional framework. The student-faculty ratio is reported as 13:1, which, for a public institution of its size, indicates the potential for more personalized instruction than at many large state schools.
Don't let the commuter-school label fool you—student life at Brooklyn College is active, diverse, and self-generated. The campus culture is built by a student body representing a broad spectrum of cultures and backgrounds, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment. The engine of social life is the more than 150 student clubs and organizations, which span artistic, community, cultural, ethnic, media, religious, social, and special interest groups. This vast ecosystem means there's a niche for almost every interest, and students report that it's a "really social CUNY" with ample opportunity to make friends, often by organizing through group chats for classes. The administration has signaled a focus on streamlining processes to create a more supportive campus, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by a largely commuting population. The vibe is one of engaged independence: students who seek out community and activities will find a rich tapestry of options waiting for them.
Outcomes at Brooklyn College tell a story of value and upward mobility, though with the graduation rate challenges common to many large, urban, public institutions. The six-year graduation rate for bachelor's degree-seeking students has been reported around 55-58%. For those who persist, the financial payoff is significant, especially given the low cost of entry. According to federal data, the median earnings for graduates six years after enrollment is $45,035. The college and the broader CUNY system have implemented programs aimed at improving graduation rates, with noted increases for associate's degree students in recent years. The four-year graduation rate is 34%, indicating many students take longer to complete their degrees, which is typical for a commuter school where students often balance work and family responsibilities with their studies.
This is where Brooklyn College makes its most compelling argument. The average after aid is a remarkably low $3,103, a figure that positions it as one of the most affordable four-year colleges in the nation. For first-year students demonstrating need, the average need-based scholarship or grant awarded is $9,377, and 65% of first-year students receive . The college encourages all prospective students to use the CUNY Net Price Calculator to get an early, personalized estimate of costs and aid. It's important to note that Brooklyn College, as part of the CUNY system, does not have a "no-loan" policy that replaces loans with grants for all needy students. Students may still qualify for federal Direct Loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized) and can also pursue alternative private loans to cover the full minus other aid. The financial model is one of high subsidy and accessibility, not of loan-free packaging.
Brooklyn College stands out as a powerful engine of urban mobility. It offers a legitimate, comprehensive liberal arts and professional education in New York City at a price point that is almost unbelievably low. This isn't a stripped-down commuter college; it's an institution with over 100 majors, a self-proclaimed public liberal arts mission, and a sprawling, active campus life driven by more than 150 student clubs. It serves a diverse, ambitious, and pragmatic student body, funneling them into high-demand fields like business, psychology, and education. The trade-off is the classic commuter-school dynamic: students must be proactive to build community, and graduation rates reflect the real-world complexities of its population. But for the cost-conscious, career-focused student who wants a real college experience in NYC without crippling debt, Brooklyn College represents an exceptionally high-value proposition. It’s the definition of a "hidden gem" for return on investment, recently recognized by Forbes as a "College With the Highest Payoff."
CUNY Brooklyn College seal · sourceCampus Map | Brooklyn College · sourceHome | Brooklyn College · sourceBrooklyn – The City University of New York · source
