Staten Island vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Staten Island CUNY is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (11,033 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Staten Island vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island or SU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Staten Island CUNY than SU ($6,525 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 41% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($12,490 vs. $21,155).
• Shenandoah University is 393.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $29,460 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.3% higher at SU than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $21,510 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at College of Staten Island CUNY (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 190.3% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($24,747 vs. $8,526).

Staten Island vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island or SU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SU and Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shenandoah University (1120) is 50 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Staten Island - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Staten Island has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 16.7% at SU.

Staten Island vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island and SU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• College of Staten Island CUNY's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $11,013 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($13,987 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($144 vs. $258).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.