Head-to-head · 2026
College of Staten Island CUNY vs CUNY York College
Compare average net price ($5,579 at College of Staten Island CUNY; $4,456 at CUNY York College), ROI score (23.97 vs 31.95), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,501 vs $56,945), and admissions selectivity (92.3% acceptance at College of Staten Island CUNY; 64.1% at CUNY York 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 York College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 23.97 | 31.95 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $5,579 | $4,456 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $22,316 | $17,824 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,490 | $7,358 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,440 | $15,308 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,501 | $56,945 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 92.3% | 64.1% |
| Graduation rate | 33.9% ✓ | 32.3% |
| Retention rate | 75.7% ✓ | 57.4% |
| Median debt | $14,350 | $11,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 9,657 | 4,345 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1040 | 880 |
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 York College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,903 | $2,861 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,473 | $4,161 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,364 ✓ | $7,426 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,923 | $9,383 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,444 | $12,520 ✓ |
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 York College |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 13.4% | 9.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.5% | 6.4% |
| Social Work | 2.5% | 7.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5% | 3.5% |
| Biology, General | 4.3% | 3.1% |
| Computer Science | 3.8% | 3.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.6% | 6.4% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 5.2% | 0.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
CUNY York College reports the lower average net price by $1,123 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,492 difference over four years ($17,824 vs $22,316).
CUNY York College reports $3,444 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($56,945 vs $53,501). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.7% at College of Staten Island CUNY and 57.4% at CUNY York College. Median federal debt among completers is $14,350 vs $11,000, 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
College of Staten Island CUNY vs CUNY York College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
CUNY York College is cheaper — average net price $4,456 per year vs $5,579 at College of Staten Island CUNY. The annual difference of $1,123 adds up to about $4,492 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
CUNY York College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $56,945 vs $53,501 at College of Staten Island CUNY. The gap in the federal data is $3,444. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
CUNY York College is more selective at 64.1% 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.