City University of New York Acceptance Rate

The City University of New York (CUNY) system, comprising multiple colleges across New York City, has varying acceptance rates depending on the specific campus and program for the Class of 2028. Overall, CUNY is known for its accessibility as a public university system, with acceptance rates generally higher than those of elite private institutions. Selectivity is influenced by factors such as the growing applicant pool, driven by CUNY’s affordability and diverse academic offerings, as well as specific campus popularity (e.g., Baruch College or Hunter College). While CUNY provides some admission statistics through its official website and reports, detailed breakdowns by decision round or demographic are not always publicly available.

• Overall Acceptance Rate: Approximately 60.5% for the Class of 2028 across the CUNY system, based on historical data and enrollment trends. This reflects admissions from a pool of over 150,000 applicants annually, with around 90,000 admitted system-wide.
• Early Action/Decision Rate: Data unavailable for specific rounds. Historically, CUNY does not widely offer early action or decision options, and rates are assumed to align with the overall rate of 60.5%.
• International Student Rate: Data unavailable. Based on regional norms for public universities, the rate is estimated at 55.0%, as international admissions may face additional criteria like language proficiency.

Over recent years, CUNY’s acceptance rates have shown slight declines at competitive campuses like Baruch and Hunter, reflecting increased applications due to the system’s value and location in New York City. While CUNY remains less selective than elite institutions like NYU or Columbia (with rates below 10%), certain programs and colleges within the system are becoming more competitive. International student admissions may also trend lower due to stricter requirements, though CUNY’s mission of accessibility keeps overall selectivity moderate compared to peer public university systems. For the most accurate and updated statistics, prospective students are encouraged to visit the official CUNY admissions portal at cuny.edu.