CUNY's first senior college, founded 1966, serving 6,000+ students in Jamaica, Queens.
York College offers bachelor's degrees (B.A. and B.S.) through three schools and master's degrees in six graduate programs as of 2023–24. The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and holds specialized accreditations for teacher education (CAEP), occupational therapy (ACOTE), physician assistant studies, social work (CSWE), and nursing (NLN). Notable programs include a 3.5-year Bachelor/Master in Occupational Therapy (CUNY's only offering), top-ranked Aviation Management, and the #11 Best Nursing program according to RN Careers (2024).
The 50-acre urban campus in Jamaica, Queens opened permanently in 1986 after temporary locations in the 1960s–70s. Key facilities include the Academic Core Building (1986), Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center (1,500 seats), Health and Physical Education facility with gymnasium and pool, and the Illinois Jacquet Performance Space. The Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer subway station (E, J, Z trains) is located one block away. Queens High School for the Sciences, ranked #1 in New York State, operates on campus.
York College welcomes freshmen, transfer students, graduate applicants, international students, and veterans. The college offers over 60 academic majors and numerous minors. Admissions support includes the Welcome Center with in-person and virtual office hours, academic advising, course registration assistance, and financial aid guidance through the V-READY virtual one-stop service.
As of 2021, York reported a 6-year graduation rate of 31% (U.S. News & World Report), reflecting the college's diverse student body: approximately 40% study part-time, many combine work and family responsibilities with studies. Since 1971, York has conferred 30,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees. Alumni work across medicine, research, law, business, and social work; notable graduates include Carole Berotte Joseph (first Haitian-born U.S. college president) and Deborah Persaud (virologist).