CUNY Hunter College vs CUNY Graduate Center

CUNY Hunter College and CUNY Graduate School and University Center, both esteemed institutions within the City University of New York system, offer distinct academic experiences. Hunter College, located in the heart of Manhattan, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors including Psychology, Biology, and English. Its acceptance rate of 45% reflects its competitive admissions process. In contrast, CUNY Graduate School and University Center, situated in Midtown Manhattan, focuses primarily on graduate education, with a diverse array of master's and doctoral programs. Its acceptance rate of 60% indicates a slightly less competitive admissions process. While both institutions offer a vibrant campus life, Hunter College's undergraduate focus fosters a strong sense of community, while CUNY Graduate School and University Center's graduate-level programs attract a more diverse and experienced student body. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these

	CUNY Graduate School and University Center	CUNY Hunter College
Overview
Location	New York, New York	New York, New York
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate		82.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	45.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants		31,728
Total number of admissions given out		14,562
Admitted students who chose to enroll		3,321
Yield rate		22.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)		N/A
High school GPA	N/A	Required
Recommendation letters	N/A	Not required
High school transcript	N/A	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,725 Out of state: $39,675	In state: $31,697 Out of state: $39,647
Average net price		$4,586
Tuition	In state: $6,930 Out of state: $14,880	In state: $6,930 Out of state: $14,880
Room & board
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)		93.0% Average amount $8,519
Students receiving federal student loan		4.0% Average amount $4,522
Students taking out private loans		1.0% Average amount $13,619

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,748 Men 25.7% Women 74.3%	18,152 Men 34.2% Women 65.8%
Graduate students	6,269 Men 36.6% Women 63.4%	5,947 Men 22.7% Women 77.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	10.8%	4.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	111	706
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Psychology Social Sciences Computer and Information Science	Education Public Administration and Social Service Health Professions Visual & Performing Arts Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	N/A	57.7%
Dropout rate	N/A	12.2%
Transferred out	N/A	25.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $96,611 Year 2: $99,517 Year 3: $116,628 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $94,707 Year 2: $88,786 Year 3: $98,066 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $71,335 Year 2: $70,176 Year 3: $88,597 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,948 Year 2: $80,964 Year 3: $88,072 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $80,432 Research and Experimental Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $65,889 Year 3: $77,449 Anthropology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,942 Year 3: $74,472 Sociology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $65,441 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,843 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $59,803 Journalism (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $41,716 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $56,736	Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $111,673 Year 3: $125,443 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $124,793 Year 2: $114,807 Year 3: $122,408 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $91,886 Year 2: $94,255 Year 3: $100,641 Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Post-Baccalaureate Certificates) Year 1: $93,588 Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $98,645 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $78,135 Year 2: $78,971 Year 3: $85,516 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,652 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $82,053 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $79,246 Research and Experimental Psychology (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $77,417 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,965 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $74,057 Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,927 Year 2: $68,296 Year 3: $71,362

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference between CUNY Hunter College and CUNY Graduate School and University Center?

Hunter College is primarily an undergraduate and master's degree-granting institution, offering a wide range of programs across various disciplines. The CUNY Graduate School and University Center (often referred to as the Graduate Center) focuses exclusively on doctoral and advanced master's programs, serving as the central doctoral-granting institution for the entire CUNY system. Think of Hunter as a comprehensive college and the Graduate Center as a hub for doctoral studies.
Which institution is better for undergraduate studies?

Hunter College is the clear choice for undergraduate studies. It offers a robust undergraduate curriculum with numerous majors, minors, and opportunities for student involvement. The Graduate Center does not offer undergraduate programs.
Which institution is better for doctoral studies?

The CUNY Graduate School and University Center is the only option for doctoral studies within the CUNY system. It houses doctoral programs in a wide array of fields, providing students with access to leading scholars and research opportunities. Hunter College does not offer doctoral programs.
Can I earn a master's degree at both institutions?

Yes, you can earn a master's degree at both Hunter College and the Graduate Center. Hunter College offers a variety of master's programs, while the Graduate Center offers more specialized and advanced master's programs, often as a pathway to a doctoral degree.
How do the campuses and locations compare?

Hunter College's main campus is located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, providing students with access to the cultural and professional opportunities of New York City. The Graduate Center is also located in midtown Manhattan, but its campus is more focused on research and academic pursuits. Both locations offer excellent access to public transportation.
What is the student body like at each institution?

Hunter College has a large and diverse undergraduate student body, reflecting the demographics of New York City. The Graduate Center has a smaller, more specialized student body composed primarily of doctoral and advanced master's students from various backgrounds and countries, all focused on research and scholarship.
Are there research opportunities at both institutions?

Yes, both institutions offer research opportunities, but the nature and scope differ. Hunter College provides research opportunities for undergraduate and master's students, often integrated into coursework or through faculty-led projects. The Graduate Center is heavily focused on research, with doctoral students actively engaged in cutting-edge research under the guidance of leading scholars.
How do the tuition costs compare?

Tuition costs are generally comparable between Hunter College and the Graduate Center for similar programs. However, specific tuition rates vary depending on the program and residency status. It's best to consult the CUNY website for the most up-to-date tuition information for each institution and program.
Which institution is better for career advancement?

Both institutions can contribute to career advancement, but in different ways. Hunter College's strong undergraduate programs and career services can help students launch their careers. The Graduate Center prepares students for careers in academia, research, and other advanced professional fields. The best choice depends on your career goals.
Can I take courses at both institutions?

In some cases, yes. Students at Hunter College may be able to take courses at the Graduate Center, and vice versa, depending on the program and availability. This is often facilitated through cross-registration agreements within the CUNY system. It's best to inquire with the specific departments at each institution to determine the feasibility.

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