Hunter Admission Requirements

  • 7/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • New York, NY
  • 0 reviews
#9 Best Public Universities in New York

Hunter Admission Overview

Hunter admission requirements are competitive. Last year Hunter admitted 53.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (A-) and SAT 1100-1420. Hunter is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Hunter Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

53.8%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for CUNY Hunter College

Acceptance Rate

The Hunter acceptance rate is 53.8%. Last year, 17,362 of 32,271 applicants were admitted. That is the 32nd lowest acceptance rate in New York.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Hunter and can you get accepted?

Hunter is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

CUNY Hunter College typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Hunter GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.7

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.7

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Hunter typically have around a 3.7 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Hunter is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #25 in New York for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled CUNY Hunter College freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 0.24% Good
3.75 to 3.99 17.2% Good
3.50 to 3.74 53.92% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 24.38% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 1.73% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.03% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 2.49% Reach

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Hunter Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

CUNY Hunter College is test-optional for freshman applicants through Spring 2027, covering the 2026-27 cycle. Students may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, and those who do not send scores are not disadvantaged in admission review. Hunter encourages scores for merit programs such as Freshman Honors and Macaulay Honors College, but they are not required. CUNY's system-wide policy is that standardized tests may be submitted and that applicants will not be penalized for choosing not to send them.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/students/admissions/undergraduate/apply/freshman/

Hunter SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1100-1420

Freshmen who sent SAT

11%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 550
  • Math 550
  • Composite 1100
SAT 25th percentile scores for CUNY Hunter College

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 700
  • Math 720
  • Composite 1420
SAT 75th percentile scores for CUNY Hunter College

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Hunter typically score around a 1260 SAT (middle 50% 1100–1420) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 83rd percentile nationally. Hunter ranks #39 in the state of New York for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1100 to 1420

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Hunter is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at CUNY Hunter College
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1420+ Above 75th >69%
1260 to 1420 Avg + 54%-69%
1100 to 1260 Avg - 38%-54%
Below 1100 Below mid-50 <38%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Hunter ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

Not Reported

Freshmen reporting ACT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 25th percentile scores for CUNY Hunter College

75th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 75th percentile scores for CUNY Hunter College

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Hunter chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

CUNY Hunter College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 19,071 12,586 32,271
Accepted 10,875 6,135 17,362
Acceptance Rate 57% 49% 54%
Enrolled 1,958 888 2,897
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 14% 17%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to CUNY Hunter College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

CUNY Hunter College application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to CUNY Hunter College is $65.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at CUNY Hunter College
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Hunter is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 53.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1100-1420); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to CUNY Hunter College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=190594.

GPA calculator: CUNY Hunter College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026