CUNY City College is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of CUNY City College (City College of New York) is 66.6%. This means that 67 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitive are CUNY City College Admissions?
- Competitive: Applicants need good academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

To secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are both mentally and physically fit for the course of study. More importantly, your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Additionally, if you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as the City College of New York is not very strict in its admission process, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
As the acceptance rate is above 50%, you still have a chance if your GPA is not excellent. You can make up for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.
CUNY City College Admission Requirements
City College of New York GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at City College of New York is 3.2. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A’s and B’s is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
If your GPA is between 2.9 and 3.2, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score. A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required.
Can I Get Into City College of New York Without SAT Or ACT?: CUNY City College does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
CUNY City College (City College of New York) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
CUNY City College Average SAT Score: 1155
The average SAT score of the admitted students at CUNY City College is 1155 on the 1600 SAT scale.
CUNY City College SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1155 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (0 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. CUNY City College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 0, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to City College of New York. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
CUNY City College SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
SAT Math | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SAT Reading | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SAT Composite | 1155 | 0 | 0 |
It means that if you have scored less than 0 then you are below most of the admitted students at City College of New York and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 0 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into CUNY City College (City College of New York) with a 0 SAT?
With a 0 SAT Score, your chances of admission at CUNY City College (City College of New York) are good but the admission staff at City College of New York tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
City College of New York Profile
Name: CUNY City College (City College of New York)
Accredited by: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
How much does a degree from City College of New York Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at CUNY City College is USD: 13514. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at CUNY City College is USD: 3434
How can I get a scholarship?
58.27% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 6.18 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to City College of New York and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At CUNY City College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist City College of New York as your choice in the form.
How much a City College of New York Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the City College of New York graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 66039. An average City College of New York graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than CUNY City College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of CUNY City College, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
Azusa Pacific University | Azusa Pacific University, CA | 1132 | 25 |
University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
William Jessup University | William Jessup University, CA | 1130 | NA |
University of Northern Colorado | University of Northern Colorado, CO | 1106 | 24 |
Western Connecticut State University | Western Connecticut State University, CT | 1126 | 24 |
Lynn University | Lynn University, FL | 1126 | 24 |
Florida Atlantic University | Florida Atlantic University, FL | 1112 | 23 |

Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as CUNY City College. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for CUNY City College, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, CO | 1150 | 24 |
Fort Lewis College | Fort Lewis College, CO | 1147 | 22 |
Regis University | Regis University, CO | 1149 | 24 |
Western Colorado University | Western Colorado University, CO | 1154 | 25 |
Howard University | Howard University, DC | 1164 | 23 |

More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than CUNY City College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham-Southern College, AL | 1218 | 26 |
University of Mobile | University of Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
Samford University | Samford University, AL | 1227 | 26 |
University of Arizona | University of Arizona, AZ | 1229 | 25 |
John Brown University | John Brown University, AR | 1218 | 26 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Architecture
- Area Studies
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
- Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biology, General
Frequently Asked Questions About CUNY City College Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, ranging from $50,000 to $80,000 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
Question: What is the tuition fee for CUNY City College?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $10,000 to $30,000 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship at CUNY City College?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are good, with about a 50-80% chance. Scholarships are competitive but achievable if you meet the criteria.
Question: What is the acceptance rate for CUNY City College?
Answer: The acceptance rate is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: What is the average GPA of admitted students at CUNY City College?
Answer: The average GPA of admitted students is . This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
Question: What is the minimum GPA required for admission to CUNY City College?
Answer: The minimum GPA required for admission is typically around -0.3, though this can vary depending on other factors such as test scores, extracurriculars, and essays.
Question: What are my chances at CUNY City College with a GPA 0.3 points lower than the average?
Answer: If your GPA is -0.4 or less, it may makes admission difficult -0.3. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays.
Question: Can I apply to CUNY City College if my GPA is below 2.8
Answer: While the average GPA of admitted students is " .($university_data['gpas']). ", applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Question: Is it possible to transfer to CUNY City College from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer to CUNY City College each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: What is the campus culture like at CUNY City College?
Answer: The campus culture at CUNY City College is diverse and vibrant, with numerous student organizations, sports teams, and cultural activities. It’s an ideal environment for personal growth and building lifelong connections.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting into CUNY City College?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by CUNY City College.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.