Head-to-head · 2026
CUNY City College vs Suffolk County Community College
Compare average net price ($3,776 at CUNY City College; $5,258 at Suffolk County Community College), ROI score (43.72 vs 23.73), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($66,039 vs $49,907), and admissions context (60% at CUNY City College; 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 | CUNY City College | Suffolk County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 43.72 ✓ | 23.73 |
| Avg net price | $3,776 ✓ | $5,258 |
| 4-year avg net price | $15,104 ✓ | $21,032 |
| In-state tuition | $7,340 | $6,630 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,290 | $12,460 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $66,039 ✓ | $49,907 |
| Acceptance rate | 60% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 56.8% ✓ | 28.7% |
| Retention rate | 79.3% ✓ | 61.9% |
| Median debt | $11,990 | $8,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 12,505 | 14,218 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 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 | CUNY City College | Suffolk County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,251 ✓ | $2,393 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,990 ✓ | $3,623 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,811 ✓ | $6,960 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,982 | $9,786 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,806 | $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 | CUNY City College | Suffolk County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.4% | 45.7% |
| Psychology, General | 12.7% | 3.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2.5% | 8.6% |
| Computer Science | 3.9% | 0.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.5% | 0.5% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.4% | 0.6% |
| Political Science and Government | 2.4% | 0.5% |
| History | 1.7% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
CUNY City College reports the lower average net price by $1,482 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $5,928 difference over four years ($15,104 vs $21,032).
CUNY City College reports $16,132 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($66,039 vs $49,907). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.3% at CUNY City College and 61.9% at Suffolk County Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $11,990 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
CUNY City College vs Suffolk County Community College, answered
3 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 $5,258 at Suffolk County Community College. The annual difference of $1,482 adds up to about $5,928 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
CUNY City College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $66,039 vs $49,907 at Suffolk County Community College. The gap in the federal data is $16,132. 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.