CUNY Hostos Community College: $5,208 Tuition

$5,208Tuition

4,883Students

17%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$40,485Earnings

Public2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About CUNY Hostos Community College

CUNY Hostos serves as an educational bridge for bilingual students and working families in the South Bronx. The college has built a strong reputation for its nursing and allied health programs, helping students launch careers in healthcare. With 4,883 students, it maintains the close-knit feel that community colleges are known for. The campus sits in one of New York City's most culturally rich neighborhoods.

Students pay an average of $5,001 after financial aid, making it one of the most affordable college options in the city. Nearly two-thirds of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's mission to serve lower-income families. Graduates earn a median of $40,485 ten years after starting, which represents solid earning potential for those beginning their careers or switching fields. Students typically graduate with just $8,442 in debt, keeping loan payments manageable at $89 per month.

The student body reflects the Bronx's diversity, with 60% Hispanic and 30% Black students. Women make up 68% of enrollment, partly due to the strong nursing and health programs. The 17% six-year graduation rate appears low but reflects the reality that many students work full-time while attending classes part-time. The Caimans compete in seven varsity sports with 50 total athletes.

Academics & Faculty

Hostos Community College specializes in serving the predominantly Hispanic community of the South Bronx, with 60% of students identifying as Hispanic and many programs offered bilingually. The college has built a strong reputation in nursing and allied health fields, preparing students for careers in healthcare. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personal attention from instructors. However, the 17% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face, including work obligations and family responsibilities. The school functions as a bridge to four-year institutions and immediate workforce entry. Students typically earn $30,041 one year after graduation, with earnings rising to $40,485 after ten years in the workforce.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 43.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 17.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $40,485

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$61,516
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Associate	$59,485
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$48,849
Public Administration.	Associate	$30,771
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Associate	$27,439
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.	Associate	$26,739
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$24,863
Accounting and Related Services.	Associate	$24,035
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$23,803
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$23,207

View all 34 programs →

Campus Life

The South Bronx campus puts you in one of New York's most active Hispanic neighborhoods, just minutes from Manhattan by subway. With 67.87% of students being women and 60.23% Hispanic, the hallways buzz with Spanish conversations and multicultural energy. You'll definitely need a winter coat for those brutal New York winters and scorching summers.

Nearly all 4,883 students commute since there's no campus housing. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors actually know your name, especially important in the demanding nursing program that draws students from across the borough. Weekends often mean work or family time rather than campus parties, reflecting the practical focus of students here. The Caimans compete in 7 varsity sports with just 50 total athletes, but athletics take a backseat to academics and jobs. With 86.3% of graduates finding employment and median monthly loan payments of just $89, students see this as their affordable pathway to career advancement rather than a traditional college experience.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Public Property
Stalking	0	2
Arson	0	1
Dating Violence	1	0
Fondling	0	1
Motor Vehicle Theft	0	1

Climate & Weather

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

Student Demographics

Hostos serves the South Bronx community where 60% of students are Hispanic and nearly all come from New York. The student body reflects the neighborhood's working-class families, with 63% receiving Pell Grants. Women make up two-thirds of enrollment, drawn largely by the college's respected nursing and health programs. Students here are often first-generation college-goers balancing work and family responsibilities. The bilingual mission attracts Spanish speakers seeking career training close to home. Most students work while studying, building practical skills for immediate employment in healthcare and other growing fields.

Men: 32.1%
Women: 67.9%
White: 1.9%
Black: 29.6%
Hispanic: 60.2%
Asian: 3.1%
In-State Students: 92.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 62.7%

Location

Hostos Community College sits in the South Bronx, just minutes from Manhattan by subway. The campus serves one of New York City's most diverse neighborhoods, where 60.23% of students are Hispanic and many are bilingual. The South Bronx has transformed from its troubled past into a active community with growing arts and cultural scenes. Students live in a dense urban environment with easy access to internships, jobs, and cultural opportunities throughout the five boroughs. The college draws 92.74% of its students from New York State, mostly from local Bronx communities. The area offers authentic Latino cuisine, community gardens, and proximity to Yankee Stadium. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare Hostos Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Bronx, New York 10451

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $40,485
Median Earnings (5 years): $42,687
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $28,300
Loan Repayment Rate: 39.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $89/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $8,442

Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is admission to CUNY Hostos Community College?

CUNY Hostos Community College has an open admission policy typical of community colleges, making it accessible to students seeking higher education in the Bronx. The college serves as an entry point to higher education for many first-generation college students, with 62.70% of students receiving Pell Grants. Hostos is particularly known for supporting bilingual learners and Hispanic students in their educational journey.

How much does CUNY Hostos Community College cost after financial aid?

Students at CUNY Hostos Community College pay an average net price of $5,001 after financial aid, making it highly affordable for working-class families. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,398 net price, while 62.70% of students receive financial aid. The low cost reflects the college's mission to serve the economically diverse South Bronx community.

What academic programs is CUNY Hostos Community College known for?

CUNY Hostos Community College is well-known for its nursing and allied health programs that prepare students for careers in healthcare. The college maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention in these demanding technical fields. Hostos particularly excels at serving bilingual students, offering instruction that bridges language barriers in healthcare education.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at CUNY Hostos Community College?

CUNY Hostos Community College has a 17% six-year graduation rate, reflecting the challenges many community college students face balancing work, family, and education. However, 86.3% of graduates find employment, with median earnings reaching $40,485 ten years after enrollment. The college's focus on practical healthcare training helps graduates secure stable jobs in the growing healthcare sector.

What is the campus environment like at CUNY Hostos Community College?

CUNY Hostos Community College enrolls 4,883 students in an urban setting in the South Bronx, with women comprising 67.87% of the student body. The student population is predominantly Hispanic at 60.23% and Black at 29.63%, reflecting the surrounding community demographics. The Caimans compete in 7 varsity sports with 50 total athletes, providing athletic opportunities despite the urban campus setting.

Does CUNY Hostos Community College offer good value for student debt?

CUNY Hostos Community College graduates carry a median debt of just $8,442, lower than most four-year institutions. Only 6.10% of students take federal loans, and those who do have monthly payments of just $89. The low debt burden makes sense given the college's role as an affordable pathway to healthcare careers and four-year transfer opportunities.