City College of New York vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY City College in New York, NY with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY City College is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY City College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY City College 15:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

City College of New York vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City College of New York or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($4,664 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 16% lower than at CUNY City College ($15,834 vs. $18,840).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 547.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $40,165 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 210.7% higher at Jefferson than at CUNY City College (about $32,215 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at CUNY City College (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 258.6% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($35,007 vs. $9,763).

City College of New York vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at CUNY City College (1250) is the same as at Jefferson (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY City College 1070/1430; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: City College of New York - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: City College of New York Feb 1, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) 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. 12.1% at Jefferson.

City College of New York vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City College of New York and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $73,100 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $1,100 lower median loan debt than Jefferson graduates ($11,400 vs. $12,500).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Jefferson graduates ($117 vs. $129).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.