Cuny Hunter College

CUNY Hunter College admits 54.0% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Hunter College in the moderately selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that Hunter College is more selective than typical public institutions of similar size and scope. This selectivity level reflects the institution's position as a flagship campus within the CUNY system and its location in Manhattan.

The 54% acceptance rate means that academically qualified students have reasonable admission prospects, though the applicant pool includes many competitive candidates drawn to the combination of strong academics, low cost, and New York City location. Students considering Hunter College should view it as a target school rather than a safety, particularly given the institutional strengths in specific programs like nursing, psychology, and computer science.

For prospective students, this selectivity level indicates the importance of presenting a complete application with strong academic credentials. Building a balanced college list that includes both more selective and less selective options within the CUNY system represents sound application strategy for students interested in public higher education in New York.

CUNY Hunter College demonstrates exceptional affordability through a combination of low sticker prices and substantial financial aid. The institution's published cost of attendance is $13,310 per year—$7,382 in in-state tuition, $11,324 for room and board, and $1,500 for books and supplies.

However, the average student pays just $2,446 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,864 from the sticker price. This net price falls $13,144 below the peer median net price of $15,590, making Hunter College significantly more affordable than comparable institutions.

The substantial financial aid savings reflect both New York State's investment in public higher education and federal aid targeting the institution's high-need student population. With 55.0% of students receiving Pell grants, the majority of Hunter College students qualify for need-based aid that dramatically reduces college costs.

This affordability positions Hunter College as one of the most accessible four-year institutions in the New York metropolitan area, providing high-quality education at costs that working-class families can manage. The combination of low published prices and substantial aid creates educational opportunity that would otherwise be financially out of reach for many students.

CUNY Hunter College graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time and outcomes that exceed expectations given student demographics. Median earnings rise from $50,414 six years after enrollment to $55,766 at eight years and $63,163 at ten years, representing 25.3% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 2,012 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $9,762 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Hunter College in the 85.3rd percentile for earnings uplift.

This reflects the institution's effectiveness in translating educational access into economic advancement. Low-income graduates earn $51,600, demonstrating that the institution serves economically disadvantaged students while maintaining solid post-graduation outcomes.

Earnings span from $34,332 at the 25th percentile to $92,425 at the 75th percentile, reflecting program diversity and different career trajectories. Approximately 24.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.

CUNY Hunter College offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking. Psychology ranks #29 nationally and #5 in New York State, producing the largest cohort of 670 graduates with median earnings of $48,977 and a value score of 91.9.

Human Biology ranks #5 nationally and #1 in New York State, graduating 307 students with median earnings of $31,891. English Language and Literature ranks #39 nationally and #4 in New York State, graduating 235 students with median earnings of $44,283.

Applied/Public Sociology ranks #18 nationally and #3 in New York State, with 217 graduates earning $52,572. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #25 nationally and #10 in New York State, graduating 179 students with median earnings of $105,224.

Computer Science ranks #32 nationally and #5 in New York State, with 117 graduates earning $106,141. Several programs demonstrate exceptional value scores, with Biological and Physical Sciences ranking #1 nationally.