CUNY Graduate School combines selective admissions with exceptional value delivery, ranking at the 94.0th percentile for earnings beyond expectations. The institution serves diverse students while maintaining debt levels significantly below peer institutions, creating favorable conditions for post-graduation financial stability.
With well above average performance, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment and exceptionally low debt levels
With well above average performance, reflecting significant enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students combined with selective admission standards
With well above average performance, indicating the institution's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisExceptional value in specialized programs
CUNY Graduate School and University Center ranks #203 nationally, with composite performance at the 87.6th percentile and well above average outcomes. Located in New York, New York, this medium-sized public institution maintains selective admission standards with a 38.6% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation results.
CUNY Graduate School enrolls 37.9% Pell-eligible students and 44.0% first-generation students, demonstrating commitment to educational access. Graduates earn $19,438 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 94.0th percentile nationally for excellent performance.
Median earnings reach $65,991 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 81.0th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. This combination of selective admissions, diverse student access, and strong economic returns positions CUNY Graduate School as an institution that delivers exceptional value.
CUNY Graduate School delivers exceptional earnings outcomes relative to student debt levels and educational investment. Graduates earn a median of $65,991 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 81.0st percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $41,234 at the 25th percentile to $108,769 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career pathways across specialized programs. The institution generates $19,438 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 94.0th percentile nationally with excellent performance on this measure.
Students seeking advanced healthcare training and specialized graduate programs in a diverse urban environment. Well-suited for working professionals (35.5% expected graduate school continuation) and students from diverse backgrounds (44.0% first-generation, 37.9% Pell-eligible) looking for strong post-graduation earnings with manageable debt.
CUNY Graduate School's selective admission (38.6%) delivers exceptional value through its specialized programs.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Cuny Graduate School And University Center hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/cuny-graduate-school-and-university-center/analysis.
Data not available for this income tier.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
CUNY Graduate School operates as a public institution with tuition rates of $7,410 for in-state students and $15,360 for out-of-state students, plus $1,500 for books and supplies. The institution does not report comprehensive cost of attendance or average net price data, reflecting its focus on specialized graduate programs and non-traditional student populations who may not follow typical residential college patterns.
Unlike traditional four-year institutions, many students likely attend part-time or maintain employment while studying, creating diverse cost structures. The absence of room and board costs in the available data suggests that most students commute or arrange independent housing in New York City.
For in-state students, the annual tuition of $7,410 represents the primary educational expense, while out-of-state students face tuition of $15,360. The relatively modest book and supplies cost of $1,500 reflects the specialized nature of programs that may rely more on digital resources and professional materials than traditional textbooks.
Students should plan for additional living expenses in New York City, which can vary significantly based on housing choices, transportation, and lifestyle. The institution's public status and CUNY system affiliation suggest that costs remain more accessible than private alternatives in the region.
CUNY Graduate School graduates demonstrate distinctive earnings patterns across their career trajectory. Median earnings begin at $68,616 six years after enrollment, reach $68,817 at eight years, and settle at $65,991 at ten years, representing a slight decline that reflects the specialized nature of graduate programs and career transitions.
These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 179 to 188 graduates, providing reliable data across time periods. Graduates earn $19,438 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing CUNY Graduate School at the 94.0th percentile for earnings uplift with excellent performance.
Earnings span from $41,234 at the 25th percentile to $108,769 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.6:1 ratio that reflects significant variation in program outcomes. Approximately 35.5% of graduates continue to advanced graduate or professional study, indicating the institution's role in preparing students for further education and specialized career paths in their respective fields.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
170 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
41 graduates
Business/Commerce, General.
74 graduates
Clinical Research Coordinator.
52 graduates
Communication and Media Studies, Other.
34 graduates
CUNY Graduate School offers 6 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking, focusing on specialized fields with strong career outcomes. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #9 nationally and #2 in New York, producing 170 graduates with median earnings of $102,980 and an exceptional value score of 97.1.
Business/Commerce, General ranks #10 nationally and #3 in New York, graduating 74 students with median earnings of $63,624 and a value score of 86.2. Information Science/Studies ranks #12 nationally and #3 in New York, with 41 graduates earning $73,937 and a value score of 78.0.
Clinical Research Coordinator ranks #17 nationally and #2 in New York, graduating 52 students with median earnings of $48,432. Psychology, General graduates 58 students annually with median earnings of $41,272.
Communication and Media Studies ranks #71 nationally and #6 in New York, producing 34 graduates earning $47,260.
CUNY Graduate School and University Center admits approximately 38.6% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the selective category, with admission standards that are competitive but accessible compared to the most elite institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights the significant difference between CUNY Graduate School's selectivity and typical four-year public institutions. While not among the most competitive schools nationally, this level of selectivity indicates that applicants should demonstrate strong academic preparation and clear program fit.
The institution's specialized focus on graduate-level programs and professional training creates a different admission landscape than traditional undergraduate institutions. For prospective students, this selectivity level means that solid academic credentials and relevant experience are important, but admission remains achievable for well-prepared candidates.
Students should treat CUNY Graduate School as a match or slight reach depending on their academic profile and program of interest. The specialized nature of many programs means that relevant experience and clear career goals may be as important as traditional academic metrics in the admission process.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sonoma State University Similar quality tier (#208 ranked) | CA | 95% | $65,986 | #208 | Compare |
New Jersey City University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#209 ranked) | NJ | 89% | $52,745 | #209 | Compare |
Stockton University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#197 ranked) | NJ | 88% | $57,602 | #197 | Compare |
Michigan Technological University Similar quality tier (#212 ranked) | MI | 88% | $78,198 | #212 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Tyler Similar quality tier (#213 ranked) | TX | 92% | $57,053 | #213 | Compare |