America's largest urban public university system, serving 247,000 students across 26 NYC campuses since 1847.
CUNY offers over 1,400 academic programs across 26 institutions, including 200 majors leading to associate and baccalaureate degrees and 800 graduate degree programs. The system serves over 500,000 learners annually at every level, from certificate programs to doctoral degrees. Graduate programs at 11 CUNY colleges earn national recognition in U.S. News & World Report rankings for excellence in law, business, public health, and other disciplines. The university emphasizes workforce readiness and civic engagement through initiatives like the CUNY Beyond program, which aims to triple paid internship participation by 2030.
Established by New York state legislation in 1961 and signed into law by Governor Nelson Rockefeller, CUNY consolidated existing institutions including City College of New York (founded 1847), Hunter College, Brooklyn College, and Queens College. The system was created to provide accessible, high-quality education to all New Yorkers regardless of means or background. The 1970 Open Admissions policy dramatically increased student diversity. Free tuition for senior colleges ended in 1976 due to fiscal crisis, though today 72% of in-state undergraduates attend tuition-free through state funding.
CUNY serves a highly diverse student body: 60% are first-generation college students, 50% come from households earning less than $30,000 annually, and 82% of freshmen are NYC public high school graduates. The university provides comprehensive support including financial aid, scholarships, and specialized resources for undocumented students, LGBTQI+ students, students with disabilities, and students with conviction records. Over 77% of undergraduates graduate with zero debt.
CUNY faculty win over $600 million in grants annually and conduct research across industrial, applied, and academic domains. The university recently launched an AI Academic Hub and awarded $3 million to fuel 113 campus-led artificial intelligence initiatives. The system maintains core research facilities and a Technology Commercialization Office to advance innovation and workforce development.
Eight CUNY colleges rank among Forbes' '25 Colleges with the Highest Payoff,' with one ranking at No. 1. The university awards 50,000 degrees annually and maintains strong alumni engagement: 82% of graduates stay in New York City, contributing to economic, civic, and cultural life across all sectors. CUNY generates $33.2 billion in added value per year to New York State.