Head-to-head · 2026
College of Staten Island CUNY vs CUNY City College
Compare average net price ($5,579 at College of Staten Island CUNY; $3,776 at CUNY City College), ROI score (23.97 vs 43.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,501 vs $66,039), and admissions selectivity (92.3% acceptance at College of Staten Island CUNY; 60% at CUNY City College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | College of Staten Island CUNY | CUNY City College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 23.97 | 43.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $5,579 | $3,776 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $22,316 | $15,104 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,490 | $7,340 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,440 | $15,290 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,501 | $66,039 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 92.3% | 60% |
| Graduation rate | 33.9% | 56.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 75.7% | 79.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $14,350 | $11,990 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 9,657 | 12,505 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1040 | 1260 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | College of Staten Island CUNY | CUNY City College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,903 | $1,251 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,473 | $2,990 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,364 | $6,811 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,923 ✓ | $9,982 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,444 | $12,806 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | College of Staten Island CUNY | CUNY City College |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 13.4% | 12.7% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 15.1% | 2.4% |
| Biology, General | 4.3% | 6.5% |
| Computer Science | 3.8% | 3.9% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 5.2% | 2.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.6% | 3.8% |
| Economics | 2.1% | 3.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.9% | 2.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
CUNY City College reports the lower average net price by $1,803 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,212 difference over four years ($15,104 vs $22,316).
CUNY City College reports $12,538 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($66,039 vs $53,501). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.7% at College of Staten Island CUNY and 79.3% at CUNY City College. Median federal debt among completers is $14,350 vs $11,990, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
College of Staten Island CUNY vs CUNY City College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
CUNY City College is cheaper — average net price $3,776 per year vs $5,579 at College of Staten Island CUNY. The annual difference of $1,803 adds up to about $7,212 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
CUNY City College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $66,039 vs $53,501 at College of Staten Island CUNY. The gap in the federal data is $12,538. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
CUNY City College is more selective at 60% acceptance vs 92.3% at College of Staten Island CUNY.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.