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23.8%Acceptance
$7,410Tuition
3,067Students
$65,991Earnings
Public4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindResearch UniversityData: 2023-24

About CUNY Graduate School and University Center

The Graduate Center serves as CUNY's flagship doctoral institution, hosting 3,067 graduate students in the heart of Manhattan. This research powerhouse has built its reputation on rigorous PhD programs in humanities and social sciences, where many faculty members double as prominent public intellectuals shaping national discourse. Notable alumni include poet and activist Audre Lorde and bestselling author Frank McCourt. The school's 23.81% acceptance rate reflects its selective admissions standards for serious scholars.

In-state students pay $7,410 annually while out-of-state tuition reaches $15,360, making it remarkably affordable for graduate education. Only 37.88% of students receive financial aid, suggesting many can handle costs independently. Graduates typically carry just $12,584 in debt with monthly payments of $133. Ten years post-graduation, median earnings hit $65,991, creating a strong return on investment for doctoral study.

Women make up 73.26% of the student body, reflecting graduate education trends in humanities and social sciences. The diverse population includes 29.48% Black students and 31.89% Hispanic students. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, students work closely with distinguished scholars. The 94.3% employment rate demonstrates that PhD graduates successfully launch academic and professional careers.

Academics & Faculty

The Graduate Center serves as CUNY's flagship doctoral institution, specializing exclusively in advanced graduate education across humanities and social sciences. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, doctoral students work closely with well-known scholars who frequently appear in major media outlets as public intellectuals. The school's 3,067 students pursue rigorous PhD programs in fields like English, sociology, and political science. Faculty members regularly publish influential research and contribute to national debates on policy and culture. The institution's focus on producing scholar-activists reflects its mission to bridge academic excellence with public engagement. Students benefit from small seminars and intensive mentorship that prepares them for careers in academia and beyond.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
12:1
Full-Time Faculty
37.1%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$65,991
Carnegie Classification
Doctoral University (R1)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Educational Administration and Supervision. Doctoral $99,517
Criminal Justice and Corrections. Doctoral $97,907
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Bachelor $88,786
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Master $80,964
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. Doctoral $76,460
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. Doctoral $75,204
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. Doctoral $70,176
Human Resources Management and Services. Master $69,338
Psychology, General. Doctoral $69,338
Research and Experimental Psychology. Doctoral $65,889

View all 262 programs →

Campus Life

The Graduate Center operates from a single building in Midtown Manhattan, placing its 3,067 doctoral students in the heart of New York City. You'll need a proper winter coat for the city's cold, snowy winters and light layers for humid summers. Since this is a graduate-only institution with no dorms, students scatter across the five boroughs and beyond, with 75% coming from in-state.

The building buzzes with intellectual energy as PhD candidates in humanities and social sciences gather in seminar rooms and the library. Women make up 73.26% of the student body, reflecting the gender actives of doctoral programs in these fields. Students often spend weekends at museums, attending lectures at other institutions, or meeting in coffee shops across the city to discuss their research. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio creates close mentoring relationships that often extend beyond academic hours. With an employment rate of 94.3%, graduates typically move into academia, publishing, or public intellectual roles. The median debt of just $12,584 reflects the school's mission to make doctoral education accessible.
Setting
City-Large
Calendar System
Semester
Founded
1961

Campus Safety (2023)

49 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Aggravated Assault 0 0 0 22
Robbery 0 0 0 19
Motor Vehicle Theft 0 0 0 3
Fondling 0 0 0 2
Stalking 2 0 0 0
Murder 0 0 0 1

Climate & Weather

January Avg
27°–39°F
July Avg
70°–84°F
Annual Precipitation
49.5"
Annual Snowfall
29.8"

Student Demographics

The Graduate Center draws serious scholars pursuing advanced degrees in humanities and social sciences. Women make up 73% of students, reflecting the gender composition typical of doctoral programs in these fields. The student body is remarkably diverse, with Black and Hispanic students comprising over 60% of enrollment. Three-quarters come from New York state, showing the institution's role as the flagship graduate school for CUNY's local communities. With 38% receiving Pell Grants, the school fulfills its mission of making doctoral education accessible to students from working-class backgrounds across the city's boroughs.
Men
26.7%
Women
73.3%
White
18.3%
Black
29.5%
Hispanic
31.9%
Asian
14.5%
In-State Students
75.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
37.9%

Location

The Graduate Center sits in the heart of Manhattan, placing its 3,067 students directly in America's largest city. This CUNY campus occupies midtown's cultural district, steps from the New York Public Library and Times Square. The urban setting means students access strong museums, theaters, and research libraries within walking distance. With 75% of students coming from in-state, many already know New York's intense academic and cultural landscape. The city environment suits doctoral students who benefit from proximity to publishers, think tanks, and media outlets where many graduates launch careers. Manhattan's density creates networking opportunities impossible in smaller academic towns. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare CUNY Graduate School and University Center with similar schools in the region.
Address
New York, New York 10016
The Graduate Center Wiki photo credit Alex Irklievski
The Graduate Center Wiki photo credit Alex Irklievski
The Graduate Center Library Windows
The Graduate Center Library Windows
The Graduate Center Entrance
The Graduate Center Entrance

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$65,991
Median Earnings (5 years)
$81,447
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$52,400
Loan Repayment Rate
47.3%
Monthly Loan Payment
$133/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,584

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at CUNY Graduate School and University Center?

The Graduate Center accepts 23.81% of applicants, making it highly selective among graduate programs. This institution serves as CUNY's flagship doctoral-granting school, focusing exclusively on advanced degrees in humanities and social sciences.

How much does CUNY Graduate School and University Center cost for tuition?

In-state students pay $7,410 annually while out-of-state students pay $15,360. Only 37.88% of students receive financial aid, and graduates typically leave with just $12,584 in median debt thanks to the school's affordable public university pricing.

What academic programs is CUNY Graduate School and University Center known for?

The school maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio across its well-known PhD programs in humanities and social sciences. Faculty members are often recognized public intellectuals who contribute to major cultural and political conversations beyond academia.

What do graduates of CUNY Graduate School and University Center earn after graduation?

Alumni earn a median of $65,991 ten years after graduation, with an impressive 94.3% employment rate. Notable graduates include poet Audre Lorde, author Frank McCourt, and cultural critic Roxane Gay, reflecting the school's strength in producing influential writers and thinkers.

Where is CUNY Graduate School and University Center located and what is campus life like?

The school operates in New York City with an enrollment of 3,067 graduate students. Women make up 73.26% of the student body, and 75% of students are from New York state, creating a diverse urban academic community.

Is CUNY Graduate School and University Center diverse in its student population?

The student body is 29.48% Black, 31.89% Hispanic, 18.29% White, and 14.48% Asian, making it one of the most diverse graduate schools in the country. This diversity reflects both New York City's demographics and the school's commitment to accessible graduate education since its founding in 1961.