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#11 Best Public Universities in New York

City College of New York Admission Requirements

New York, New York

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Your chances of getting into CUNY City College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

66.6%
Admission Difficulty for CUNY City College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at City College of New York is 66.6%.  Its admission rate is the 62nd lowest in New York.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into City College of New York and can you get accepted?

City College of New York is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 22,410 out of the 33,648 who applied were admitted.

CUNY City College typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.2. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into City College of New York?

67% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to CUNY City College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.2 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1160 on the SAT
  • Score 27 on the ACT

City College of New York GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.2

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into CUNY City College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into City College of New York are to have around a 3.2 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as City College of New York accepts 67% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at City College of New York is 3.2 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #89 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since City College of New York is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted CUNY City College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 7.03% Good
3.75 to 3.99 9.82% Good
3.50 to 3.74 11.75% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 14.97% Avg +
3.00 to 3.24 20.04% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 28.92% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 7.47% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

City College of New York SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by CUNY City College. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1050-1260

Applicants Submitting SAT 

87%
SAT Scores for CUNY City College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 520
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1050
SAT Scores for CUNY City College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 610
Math 75th Percentile 650
Composite 75th Percentile 1260
Average SAT Score 1160

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to CUNY City College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at City College of New York is 1160 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1050-1260. Students who get into CUNY City College score in the top 51 percent of all SAT test takers..  City College of New York ranks #70 in the state of New York for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1160 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. City College of New York regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1050 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1050, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 940, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

CUNY City College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1160 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1155, you have around a 67% chance of being admitted. A 1260 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 79% chance of getting in.

CUNY City College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1260 and Above Good >79%
1155 to 1260 Avg + 67%-79%
1050 to 1155 Avg - 52%-67%
945 to 1050 Reach 36%-52%
Less than 945 Low <36%
Calculate My Chances 

City College of New York ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

-
ACT Scores for CUNY City College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for CUNY City College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 32
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 31
Average ACT Score 27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into City College of New York?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to City College of New York is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 31.  The school ranks #43 in New York for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 19.

0 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to CUNY City College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as CUNY City College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into City College of New York for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 67% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 79% with a 31 ACT score.

CUNY City College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >79%
27 to 31 Avg + 67%-79%
23 to 27 Avg - 52%-67%
19 to 23 Reach 36%-52%
Less than 19 Low <36%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

CUNY City College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 17,872 15,576 33,648
Accepted 13,209 9,094 22,410
Acceptance Rate 74% 58% 67%
Enrolled 1,319 1,411 2,733
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 10% 16% 12%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

52

Applicants have 52 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to CUNY City College is $65.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to CUNY City College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

CUNY City College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at CUNY City College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because City College of New York is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.2 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1160 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to CUNY City College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=190567 IPEDS survey data for CUNY City College.

Last updated February 24, 2024