Last Updated: Monday August 03, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
CUNY Brooklyn College (Brooklyn College) — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Public Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education Brooklyn, New York 53.7% Acceptance Rate

CUNY Brooklyn College (Brooklyn College) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Brooklyn, New York 11210 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 www.brooklyn.edu/

CUNY Brooklyn College — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

53.7%Acceptance Rate
3.42Avg GPA
1310Avg SAT
$13,573Annual Cost
$60,752Grad Salary
56.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
53.7%
Avg GPA
3.42
Avg SAT
1310
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1140–1420
Avg Net Price
$2,943
Need-Based Aid
56.4% receive Pell

CUNY Brooklyn College, founded in 1930, is a public liberal arts college in New York City, known for its affordability and strong programs in education, business, and the arts. Ranked among the top public colleges in the North, it combines academic rigor with urban accessibility.

The campus features a modern library, performance spaces, and research labs. Its diverse student body and Brooklyn location provide rich cultural and professional opportunities, with strong ties to NYC industries.

CUNY Brooklyn College Acceptance Rate

At 53.7%, admission to CUNY Brooklyn College is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.

What Brooklyn College Admissions Looks For

  • Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
  • Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.

Selectivity at a Glance

Somewhat Selective
CUNY Brooklyn College Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 53.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.97
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

CUNY Brooklyn College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

The application deadline for CUNY Brooklyn College is September 15 for Spring Priority applicants, with additional plans listed below.

Key Admission Dates

⏳ 38 days left — Spring Priority
Spring Priority NEXT UP
September 15
Fall Priority
February 1
$65Application Fee
FAFSA/TAP Priority: 2027/02/15Scholarship Deadline

💡 The scholarship deadline (FAFSA/TAP Priority: 2027/02/15) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.

Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.

Brooklyn College GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at Brooklyn College is 3.42. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.

In the 3.12–3.42 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.

Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.62–3.82.

Brooklyn College GPA & Admission Outlook

Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.

Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.

Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.02 – 3.21
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.01
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors

Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here

  • Applications go through the unified CUNY system, not a Brooklyn-specific portal.
  • Test-optional policy in effect through spring 2027; absence of scores cannot be used to deny admission.
  • SEEK program offers a distinct admissions and support pathway for economically eligible NY State residents.
  • CUNY updated its policy in March 2026 to recognize accredited U.S. online high school diplomas under NY State Senate bill S6705.
  • Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
  • Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

Check Your Admission Chances at Brooklyn College

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on CUNY Brooklyn College's verified institutional data

--%
Calculating Profile...

Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.

Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00

✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.

Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.

CUNY Brooklyn College (Brooklyn College) Test Requirements

Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Brooklyn College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.

Can I Get Into Brooklyn College Without SAT or ACT?

Brooklyn College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.

CUNY Brooklyn College Average SAT Score: 1310

The average SAT score of admitted students at CUNY Brooklyn College is 1310 on the 1600-point scale.

SAT Competitiveness

CUNY Brooklyn College SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1310 — Competitive

This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.

SAT Math
645
SAT Reading
635
Composite
1310
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1420 SAT) to stand out. Below average? CUNY Brooklyn College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.

If your score is below 1140, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Brooklyn College. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SAT score percentiles for CUNY Brooklyn College
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math645580710
SAT Reading635560710
SAT Composite131011401420

Below 1140, you're behind most admitted students; at 1420 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300

Can I get into CUNY Brooklyn College (Brooklyn College) with a 1400 SAT?

A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of Brooklyn College's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Brooklyn College

Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

Getting into Brooklyn College isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.

Apply through the single CUNY application, not a Brooklyn-specific one

Brooklyn College admission runs through the unified CUNY application (or CUNY Fast App for NYC public school seniors), which lets you rank multiple CUNY campuses in one submission. Research and rank your CUNY preferences carefully in the same application - a mis-prioritized ranking can affect which campus offers you a seat first.

Investigate SEEK if you meet the economic eligibility guidelines

Brooklyn College's SEEK program provides admission and financial/academic support specifically for economically disadvantaged New York State residents, with defined income eligibility guidelines updated annually. If you're borderline on Brooklyn's regular admission standards but meet SEEK's income criteria, apply through SEEK explicitly rather than the general track - it's a distinct, additional admissions pathway, not just a scholarship.

Decide deliberately whether to submit SAT/ACT scores under the extended test-optional window

CUNY's test-optional policy runs through spring 2027, and Brooklyn College states explicitly that the absence of scores cannot be used to deny admission. If your GPA and coursework rigor are strong but your test scores are not, skip submission - but discuss the decision with your counselor first, since strong scores can still help for competitive programs like the coordinated B.A.?M.D.

Verify your high school diploma type against CUNY's 2026 policy update

As of March 2026, CUNY newly recognizes accredited U.S.-based online high school diplomas under NY State Senate bill S6705 - a real, recent policy change. If you completed an online or non-traditional high school program, confirm your specific program's accreditation status against CUNY's current criteria before assuming it will or won't be accepted.

Expert Insight:

Because Brooklyn College accepts applications through the shared CUNY system, applicants sometimes treat the application as generic and forget campus-specific supplemental requirements (like SEEK eligibility documentation or coordinated-program essays for B.A.?M.D.). Confirm Brooklyn College's specific supplemental requirements directly - don't assume the base CUNY application alone covers every program's requirements.

Brooklyn College Profile

Full Name
CUNY Brooklyn College (Brooklyn College)
City
Brooklyn
State
New York
ZIP Code
11210
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)

Is a Brooklyn College Degree Worth It?

Whether Brooklyn College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.

The average household income among admitted students is $49,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 5.38%.

How much does a degree from Brooklyn College Cost?

The sticker price is $13,573/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $2,943.

56.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 7% take federal loans at Brooklyn College. File your FAFSA early and list Brooklyn College as a choice to be considered for both.

How much does a Brooklyn College Graduate earn?

Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $60,752. That's about 50% above the U.S. median graduate income.

$13,573Annual Cost
$2,943Net Price
56.4%Pell Grant
7%Federal Loan
$60,752Grad Salary (10yr)

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than CUNY Brooklyn College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 1287 28
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 1261 26
Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA 1278 26
Thomas Aquinas College Santa Paula, CA 1277 29
United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT 1290 28
University of Delaware Newark, DE 1297 29
University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 1277 27
Florida Southern College Lakeland, FL 1263 28
Agnes Scott College Decatur, GA 1296 29
Mercer University Macon, GA 1280 28
Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as CUNY Brooklyn College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Auburn University Auburn, AL 1318 28
University of the Pacific Stockton, CA 1303 27
University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA 1313 29
Rollins College Winter Park, FL 1304 29
University of Georgia Athens, GA 1301 29
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than CUNY Brooklyn College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Chapman University Orange, CA 1353 30
Pepperdine University Malibu, CA 1367 29
Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA 1367 32
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO 1353 31
University of Denver Denver, CO 1344 31

Degree Programs at Brooklyn College

Bachelor Degree Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Brooklyn College Admissions

Median graduate earnings at CUNY Brooklyn College run about $60,752 a year.

At about $13,573 a year, CUNY Brooklyn College is on the more affordable end.

With 56.4% of CUNY Brooklyn College students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong. An early FAFSA filing naming CUNY Brooklyn College is the key move.

At 53.7%, CUNY Brooklyn College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.

Admitted students at CUNY Brooklyn College average a 3.42 GPA.

CUNY Brooklyn College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.12 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.

Below 3.02, CUNY Brooklyn College becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.

A strong SAT score matters at CUNY Brooklyn College — aim above 1310, ideally within the 1140–1420 range admitted students typically fall in.

The application deadline for CUNY Brooklyn College is September 15 for Spring Priority applicants.

The application fee is 65. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.

The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is FAFSA/TAP Priority: 2027/02/15. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.

Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.

Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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