Staten Island vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY with Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Staten Island CUNY is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (11,033 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Staten Island vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island or Vassar? 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 College of Staten Island CUNY than Vassar ($6,525 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 13.8% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($18,240 vs. $21,155).
• Vassar College is 848.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $63,540 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 360% higher at Vassar than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $55,590 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Staten Island CUNY than at Vassar College (80% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 573.7% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($57,443 vs. $8,526).

Staten Island vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island or Vassar? 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 Vassar and Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 430 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Staten Island - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.86 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Staten Island has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Staten Island vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $1,793 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($13,987 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($144 vs. $163).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 49%)

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.