CCNY: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially CUNY City College · New York, New York · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- 34,284
- Applicants
- 19,880
- Admitted58%
- 2,700
- Enrolled
- 14%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Moderately selective58% admittedRanked #156 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #102 (tie), Computer Science #173 (tie), Economics #140 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by CUNY City College (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.
Is CCNY a reach, target or safety for your student?
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CCNY is a public university in New York, New York that admits about 58% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $3,776 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Biology, General and Computer Science, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 50% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
CCNY is a public institution located in New York, New York with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, CCNY admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 58%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT around 1260. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $3,776 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for CCNY?
71% of enrolled students at CCNY had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.14, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
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What does CCNY weight in admissions?
CCNY reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
1- Academic GPA
Important
1- Rigor of secondary school record
Considered
1- Standardized test scores
Not Considered
15- Class rank
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores CCNY typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–730. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 1260 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
| % submitting SAT | % |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • City College follows CUNY test-optional policy, officially through spring 2027. CUNY has not yet announced the policy for fall 2027 entry.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on CCNY's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does CCNY actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,340 for in-state students and $15,290 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,840 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $3,776 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 61% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $6,930 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $18,600 |
| Room and board | $19,552 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $3,776 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 53% |
| Average need-based grant | $10,131 |
| Average merit award, no financial need30 first-year students received one | $6,049 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 14% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $7,849 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $65 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for CCNY
| Notification date | Rolling basis beginning December 15 |
| Reply deadline | Must reply by May 1 or within 2 weeks if notified thereafter |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from CCNY?
These predict outcomes at CCNY better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at CCNY
The most popular undergraduate programs at CCNY, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Biology, General and Computer Science. Across all programs, CCNY confers roughly 1,304 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $57,786 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 418 | $57,786 |
| Biology, General | 227 | $78,147 |
| Computer Science | 132 | $105,797 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 119 | $93,362 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 116 | $42,697 |
| Economics | 108 | $65,099 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 94 | $64,326 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 90 | $65,611 |
Is CCNY safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), CCNY disclosed 18 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 12 violent offenses and 1 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for CCNY
Common questions parents ask about CCNY
What GPA do I need for CCNY?
71% of enrolled students at CCNY had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.14, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does CCNY typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–730.
How much does CCNY actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at CCNY after grants and scholarships is $3,776 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,340 and $15,290 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is CCNY realistic for my child?
CCNY admits 58% of applicants, so 530–730 SAT Math is target range and below 530 is a reach. Then check the $3,776 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at CCNY?
CCNY accepts about 58% of applicants out of roughly 34,284 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is CCNY test-optional?
Yes. CCNY is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at CCNY?
About 50% of students at CCNY graduate within six years. 83% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does CCNY look for in applicants?
CCNY rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is CCNY a public or private school, and where is it located?
CCNY is a public institution located in New York, New York.
What are the most popular majors at CCNY?
The largest undergraduate majors at CCNY by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Biology, General and Computer Science. The school awards about 1,304 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is CCNY safe? What is its campus crime rate?
CCNY reported 18 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by CUNY City College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers