CUNY City College combines broad accessibility with strong economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the college produces $13,211 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining exceptionally low debt levels at $11,990, well below the peer median of $20,000.
Solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Low net prices and controlled debt levels
Above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
Strong outcomes for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisMobility Engine with exceptional access and affordability
CUNY City College delivers exceptional value through the combination of strong earnings outcomes and minimal debt burden. Graduates earn $66,039 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 81st percentile nationally, while carrying a median debt of just $11,990 compared to the peer median of $20,000.
This results in a highly favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18, indicating strong financial sustainability for graduates. The institution generates $13,211 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 89.4th percentile for value-added performance.
Students seeking affordable, high-quality education with strong economic mobility outcomes in New York City. Particularly well-suited for first-generation and Pell-eligible students who want access to rigorous programs like Biology (#1 nationally) and Engineering without taking on substantial debt.
CUNY City College admits 58.1% of applicants, falling within the moderately selective tier where roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive admission offers. This admission rate places the institution at the 23rd percentile nationally, indicating more selective standards than the majority of four-year colleges.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% demonstrates that CUNY City College maintains more competitive admission standards than typical institutions of similar size and type. For prospective students, this selectivity level means that admission is competitive but not extraordinarily difficult to achieve.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
CUNY City College demonstrates exceptional affordability with a published cost of attendance of $13,514 annually, significantly below typical four-year institutions. This breaks down to $7,340 in-state tuition, $18,104 for room and board, and $1,500 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays just $3,486 after financial aid, representing financial aid savings of $10,028. Compared to peer institutions with a median net price of $15,590, CUNY City College costs $12,104 less annually, ranking at the 98th percentile for affordability.
This dramatic difference between sticker price and actual cost reflects the institution's commitment to accessible public education and robust financial aid programs. The net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $1,579 for families earning under $30,000 to $11,887 for families earning over $110,000.
This progressive pricing structure ensures that students from all economic backgrounds can access quality higher education. The combination of low published costs and substantial financial aid creates one of the most affordable options among institutions delivering comparable post-graduation outcomes.
Computer Engineering, General.
44 graduates
Computer Science.
102 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
125 graduates
Civil Engineering, General.
93 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
68 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Mount Saint Vincent Higher acceptance rate (26.6 percentage points higher) and located 7 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 85% | $65,756 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Cuny City College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/cuny-city-college/analysis.
CUNY City College ranks #38 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with exceptional access performance at the 98.6th percentile and excellent mobility outcomes at the 95.8th percentile. Located in New York, this large public institution demonstrates the defining characteristics of a Mobility Engine, combining high enrollment of diverse students with strong post-graduation outcomes.
The institution enrolls 59.6% Pell-eligible students and 46.0% first-generation students while maintaining a 58.1% admission rate in the moderately selective tier. Students earn $13,211 beyond expectations relative to similar demographics, ranking at the 89.4th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $66,039 ten years after enrollment, placing CUNY City College at the 81st percentile for long-term outcomes. Compared to peer institutions with a median earnings of $60,543, graduates earn $5,496 more annually while carrying significantly less debt than typical peers.
Students should expect to present solid academic credentials, though the institution's commitment to access suggests holistic evaluation of applicant potential. The 58.1% admission rate indicates that students with strong academic preparation have favorable chances, while those below typical admitted student profiles should consider CUNY City College as a reach option.
Building a balanced college list with schools offering higher acceptance rates represents sound application strategy. The institution's Mobility Engine designation reflects its ability to serve diverse student populations effectively, suggesting that competitive admission standards coexist with institutional commitment to economic mobility and student success.
CUNY City College graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their early careers. Median earnings rise from $46,435 six years after enrollment to $55,183 at eight years and $66,039 at ten years, representing 42.2% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts of 1,575 graduates at six years, 1,688 at eight years, and 1,855 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. The institution generates $13,211 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, ranking at the 89.4th percentile for value-added performance.
Low-income graduates earn $49,800 ten years after enrollment, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with outcomes ranging from $37,225 at the 25th percentile to $91,371 at the 75th percentile.
Approximately 20.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study based on program mix analysis, indicating strong preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
CUNY City College offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Biology ranks #1 nationally with 248 graduates earning $66,075 and achieving a perfect value score of 100.0, making it both the largest and highest-value program at the institution.
Civil Engineering ranks #30 nationally and #3 in New York, graduating 93 students with median earnings of $81,836. Computer Science ranks #102 nationally but #11 in New York, producing 102 graduates with the highest median earnings at $85,603.
Psychology represents the largest program overall with 386 graduates earning $48,043 and ranking #60 nationally. Adult and Continuing Education ranks #13 nationally and #9 in New York with 82 graduates earning $55,262.
Art History ranks #43 nationally and #6 in New York, demonstrating the institution's strength across diverse academic fields beyond traditional STEM programs.
Iona University Higher acceptance rate (33.1 percentage points higher) and located 11 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 91% | $73,595 | Compare |
Mount Saint Mary College Higher acceptance rate (24.4 percentage points higher) and located 48 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 82% | $67,705 | Compare |
University Of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Higher acceptance rate (37.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 96% | $66,125 | Compare |
Oregon State University Higher acceptance rate (20.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | OR | 79% | $64,010 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia State University Similar quality tier (#36 ranked) | GA | 62% | $47,384 | #36 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At San Antonio Similar quality tier (#35 ranked) | TX | 88% | $57,131 | #35 | Compare |
San Diego State University Similar quality tier (#34 ranked) | CA | 34% | $64,909 | #34 | Compare |
Cuny Lehman College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#38 ranked) | NY | 55% | $58,013 | #38 | Compare |
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice Similar quality tier in Northeast (#40 ranked) | NY | 57% | $56,195 | #40 | Compare |
