Hunter vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY Hunter College in New York, NY with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY Hunter College is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (22,538 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY Hunter College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• CUNY Hunter College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY Hunter College 14:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Hunter vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hunter or Purchase College? 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 Hunter College than Purchase College ($4,431 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Hunter College are 28% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($11,832 vs. $16,436).
• SUNY at Purchase College is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hunter (about $1,571 more per year; $8,953.00 vs. $7,382.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at Purchase College than at CUNY Hunter College (about $3,871 more per year; $19,203.00 vs. $15,332.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Hunter College than at SUNY at Purchase College (87% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students is 6.9% larger than aid received by CUNY Hunter College students ($10,432 vs. $9,755).

Hunter vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hunter or Purchase College? 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 Purchase College and Hunter.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 20 points higher than at Hunter (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY Hunter College 1100/1420; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hunter - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hunter students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Hunter (53.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Hunter vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Hunter vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hunter and Purchase College? 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 at Purchase College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than CUNY Hunter College's (46%).
• Graduates from CUNY Hunter College earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Hunter College graduates have a $10,952 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($11,548 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Hunter graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($119 vs. $232).
• More Purchase College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hunter students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 56%)

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.