Head-to-head · 2026
College of Staten Island CUNY vs Suffolk County Community College
Compare average net price ($5,579 at College of Staten Island CUNY; $5,258 at Suffolk County Community College), ROI score (23.97 vs 23.73), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,501 vs $49,907), and admissions context (92.3% at College of Staten Island CUNY; Open / not reported at Suffolk County Community 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 | Suffolk County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 23.97 ✓ | 23.73 |
| Avg net price | $5,579 | $5,258 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $22,316 | $21,032 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,490 | $6,630 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,440 | $12,460 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,501 ✓ | $49,907 |
| Acceptance rate | 92.3% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 33.9% ✓ | 28.7% |
| Retention rate | 75.7% ✓ | 61.9% |
| Median debt | $14,350 | $8,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 9,657 | 14,218 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1040 | — |
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 | Suffolk County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,903 | $2,393 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,473 | $3,623 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,364 | $6,960 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,923 | $9,786 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,444 | $11,764 ✓ |
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 | Suffolk County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 15.1% | 45.7% |
| Psychology, General | 13.4% | 3.5% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5% | 6.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.6% | 8.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.5% | 2.6% |
| Computer Science | 3.8% | 0.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.9% | 0.5% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.7% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Suffolk County Community College reports the lower average net price by $321 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,284 difference over four years ($21,032 vs $22,316).
College of Staten Island CUNY reports $3,594 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($53,501 vs $49,907). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.7% at College of Staten Island CUNY and 61.9% at Suffolk County Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $14,350 vs $8,250, 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 Suffolk County Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Suffolk County Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,258 per year vs $5,579 at College of Staten Island CUNY. The annual difference of $321 adds up to about $1,284 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of Staten Island CUNY reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $53,501 vs $49,907 at Suffolk County Community College. The gap in the federal data is $3,594. This is not major-specific earnings.
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.