City College of New York vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY City College in New York, NY with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY City College is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY City College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY City College 15:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

City College of New York vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City College of New York or SUNY-ESF? 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 CUNY City College than SUNY-ESF ($4,664 vs. $19,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry are 4% lower than at CUNY City College ($18,080 vs. $18,840).
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is 26.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $1,963 more per year; $9,303.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.6% higher at SUNY-ESF than at CUNY City College (about $6,973 more per year; $22,263.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at CUNY City College (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by CUNY City College students is 12.2% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($9,763 vs. $8,699).

City College of New York vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, City College of New York or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY-ESF and City College of New York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at CUNY City College (1250) is 30 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY City College 1070/1430; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: City College of New York - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: City College of New York Feb 1, 2027; SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than City College of New York (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at City College of New York vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

City College of New York vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City College of New York and SUNY-ESF? 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).

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from CUNY City College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $8,350 lower median loan debt than SUNY-ESF graduates ($11,400 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY-ESF graduates ($117 vs. $204).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 52%)

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.