Admit rate has ranged 46%–67% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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 City College, the founding institution of the City University of New York, is a public research university that combines affordability with academic rigor in the heart of Manhattan. Known for its diverse student body and strong programs in engineering, psychology, and the social sciences, CCNY offers a rare blend of urban energy and a traditional campus feel. While its graduation rates lag behind national averages, its value proposition—low tuition and strong career outcomes for graduates—makes it a standout in the CUNY system.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
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
12,505
In-state tuition
$7,340
Out-of-state tuition
$15,290
Campus Setting
Urban (Harlem), traditional campus
Notable Alumni
10 Nobel laureates
Acceptance Rate
60%
Most Popular Major
Psychology (389 degrees/year)
4-Year Graduation Rate
29%
Median Alumni Salary (6 yrs)
$46,435
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$66,039
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
17.5×
Median debt at graduation
$11,990
Graduation rate
57%
First-year retention
79%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
53%
Pell (lower-income) share
90%
First-generation share
46%
Endowment / student
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$115,339
Mechanical Engineering$68,618
Civil Engineering$64,706
Computer Science$59,169
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$57,318
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
11
Per 1,000 students
0.88
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
89
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
54.3"
Annual snow
18.8"
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at CUNY City College?
CUNY City College's acceptance rate is approximately 60% (New York, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for CUNY City College?
Admitted students at CUNY City College typically score 1070–1430 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does CUNY City College cost?
At CUNY City College, the average net price (after aid) is about $3,776 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend CUNY City College?
CUNY City College enrolls approximately 12,505 undergraduate students.
Where is CUNY City College located?
CUNY City College is located in New York, NY.
Admissions
CUNY City College has a 60% acceptance rate, making it moderately selective within the CUNY system. The admissions process emphasizes academic performance, particularly in core subjects like math, English, and science, with 90.3% of admitted freshmen graduating in the top half of their high school class. While SAT or ACT scores are considered if submitted, they are not mandatory—reflecting CUNY's Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy. The average GPA of admitted students skews toward the higher end, with 13.22% of enrollees reporting a GPA of 3.75 or above. Rolling admissions mean applications are reviewed year-round, but early submission is encouraged for priority consideration.
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.
$55,964
Computer Engineering$52,733
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education$41,937
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.
CCNY’s academic strengths lie in its STEM and social science programs, with psychology being the most popular major (389 degrees awarded annually). The school offers a broad curriculum across 140+ areas of study, including standout programs in engineering, atmospheric sciences, and architecture. Princeton Review named it one of the 209 Best Value Colleges for 2025, and the Center for World University Rankings places it in the top 1.8% globally for academic excellence. Students praise the faculty’s accessibility and the research opportunities available, particularly in biomedical sciences and urban studies. The school’s historic Gothic campus—a rarity in NYC—houses specialized facilities like the Grove School of Engineering labs and the Spitzer School of Architecture’s design studios.
CCNY’s diverse student body—hailing from over 150 countries—creates a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere. Unlike many urban commuter schools, it boasts a traditional campus with green quads and neo-Gothic buildings, fostering community. Student organizations range from cultural clubs (e.g., Caribbean Students Association) to competitive robotics teams. The administration actively promotes cultural and social programming, including heritage month celebrations and speaker series. While some students note the commuter-heavy dynamic, weekend events and residence halls (housing ~1,000 students) help sustain engagement. The Harlem location provides easy access to internships and nightlife, though safety concerns occasionally arise.
CCNY’s four-year graduation rate is 29% (55% at six years), below national averages but typical for CUNY’s demographic of working-class students. However, 72% of employed 2021 graduates reported salaries over $50,000, with engineering and computer science majors faring best. The median alumni salary six years post-graduation is $46,435. CUNY’s ASAP program, which provides intensive advising and financial support, boosts graduation rates to 47.4% within three years for associate-degree seekers. Notably, 32% of employed grads secured jobs through campus recruiting or internships—a testament to CCNY’s strong NYC employer network.
As a public institution, CCNY offers one of NYC’s most affordable bachelor’s degrees, with in-state tuition at $7,242 annually. The average net price (after aid) is $26,153, though many low-income students qualify for full tuition coverage via CUNY’s Excelsior Scholarship or federal Pell Grants. Over 70% of students receive financial aid, with packages averaging $8,000–$10,000. The CUNY Financial Aid Estimator helps families project costs, accounting for grants, work-study, and loans. Housing costs are the biggest variable—dorms run $12,000/year, but most students save by commuting from the outer boroughs.
CCNY merges historic prestige (it was once called “the Harvard of the proletariat”) with 21st-century accessibility. Its Harlem campus—a leafy oasis with Collegiate Gothic towers—feels worlds away from the concrete jungle, while its research output rivals pricier private schools. The student body’s diversity (40% Hispanic, 20% Black, 20% Asian) mirrors NYC itself, creating a uniquely global learning environment. For STEM students, its affordable engineering and architecture programs deliver elite outcomes without the debt. Though graduation rates are a challenge, the ROI is undeniable: alumni include 10 Nobel laureates, and many First-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. grads land middle-class careers in tech, education, and public service.
CUNY City College logo · sourceThe City College of New York · sourceThe City College of New York · sourceCampus Map | The City College of New York · source
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