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CUNY York College

Jamaica, NY·Public·4,345 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and students who prefer a mid-size campus. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

64%
Accept
4,345
Students
$4,456
Net Price
32%
Grad Rate
$45,300
Earnings
10 yr
$11,000
Debt

About This School

CUNY York College is a public institution located in Jamaica, New York with approximately 4,345 undergraduate students enrolled. CUNY York College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 64%. The average net price after financial aid is $4,456 per year. The graduation rate is 32%, and the typical graduate earns $45,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

York College is a public senior college in Jamaica, Queens, New York City, United States. It is a senior college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Founded in 1966, York was the first senior college founded under the newly formed CUNY system, which united several previously independent public colleges into a single public university system in 1961. The college is a member-school of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The college enrolls more than 6,000 students as of fall 2022.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $4,734/year after aid and only $7,500 in median debt at graduation, this is one of the most affordable paths to a degree you'll find anywhere. However, the 30% graduation rate is a serious concern — only 3 in 10 students finish, and a 60% freshman retention rate suggests many leave after year one, so incoming students should honestly assess their support systems and commitment before enrolling. Worth considering if cost is your primary barrier and you have a clear plan, but go in with eyes open.

Setting
Large city
Avg Faculty Salary
$11,822

Popular Programs

Health Professions36%
Business & Marketing15%
Psychology10%
Social Sciences6%
Biological Sciences5%
Computer Science5%
Education4%
Visual & Performing Arts2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite880
Reading 75th %ile480
Math 75th %ile480

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$7,358
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,308
Avg Net Price
$4,456
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$2,861
$30–48k$4,161
$48–75k$7,426
$75–110k$9,383
$110k+$12,520

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants40%
Median debt at graduation$11,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
32%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
57%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$45,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$11,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$35,600
Female graduates$32,600

Gap: 8% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

What Each Major Actually Earns

Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.

CUNY York College graduates earn most above the national rate in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($122,313 vs $75,975 nationally), and most below it in Computer Science ($73,044 vs $107,009).

MajorGradsHereNationalDiff
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General212$60,346$61,296−$950
Psychology, General114$53,156$50,706+$2,450
Business Administration, Management and Operations76$62,993$68,257−$5,264
Accounting and Related Services48$67,152$76,194−$9,042
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing48$112,147$88,910+$23,237
Social Work47$60,820$51,790+$9,030
Sociology39$59,899$52,657+$7,242
Biology, General35$69,149$57,214+$11,935
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions34$122,313$75,975+$46,338
Computer Science30$73,044$107,009−$33,965
Marketing27$64,386$69,303−$4,917
Public Health26$52,679$58,808−$6,129

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$11,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$33,600
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$45,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 4.1x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White4%
Black40%
Hispanic/Latino26%
Asian21%
Two or more races3%
American Indian/Alaska Native2%
International5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (4,345 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

CUNY York College

94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd

Jamaica, NY 11451

View on Google Maps →

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See How Colleges Compare

CUNY York College is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at CUNY York College?

CUNY York College has an acceptance rate of 64%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Is CUNY York College hard to get into?

CUNY York College is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 64%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.

How much does CUNY York College cost?

The average net price at CUNY York College is about $4,456 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.

What is the graduation rate at CUNY York College?

CUNY York College has a graduation rate of 32%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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