CUNY Hunter College vs Stanford

CUNY Hunter College and Stanford University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand apart in their unique offerings and student experiences. Hunter College, a public institution in the heart of New York City, boasts an acceptance rate of 35%, making it more accessible to a diverse range of students. Stanford University, a private research university in California, is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of only 4%. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors such as Computer Science, Business, and Engineering at Stanford and Psychology, Biology, and English at Hunter College. While Stanford's student body is predominantly White and Asian, Hunter College's student body reflects the diverse tapestry of New York City. With graduation rates of 68% and 95% respectively, both institutions provide students with the necessary support and resources to succeed. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	CUNY Hunter College	Stanford University
Overview
Location	New York, New York	Stanford, California
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	98.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	45.9%	3.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $90 Graduate: $125
SAT range	N/A	1470 - 1570
ACT range	N/A	34 - 35
Students submitting SAT score		15.0%
Students submitting ACT score		11.0%
Total number of applicants	31,728	55,471
Total number of admissions given out	14,562	2,190
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,321	1,757
Yield rate	22.8%	80.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,697 Out of state: $39,647	$78,898
Average net price	$4,586	$14,402
Tuition	In state: $6,930 Out of state: $14,880	$55,473
Room & board		Room/dormitory: $11,166 Meal plan: $6,694
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	93.0% Average amount $8,519	61.0% Average amount $56,211
Students receiving federal student loan	4.0% Average amount $4,522	5.0% Average amount $5,151
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $13,619	1.0% Average amount $17,186

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	18,152 Men 34.2% Women 65.8%	7,645 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
Graduate students	5,947 Men 22.7% Women 77.3%	10,035 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	58.5%
International students	4.1%	24.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	706	14,621
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	California Texas Washington New York Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Public Administration and Social Service Health Professions Visual & Performing Arts Computer and Information Science	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	5:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	57.7%	95.5%
Dropout rate	12.2%	1.7%
Transferred out	25.8%	0.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $151,574 Year 2: $170,457 Year 3: $210,837 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $159,729 Year 2: $168,942 Year 3: $203,193 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $164,734 Year 2: $163,337 Year 3: $187,054 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $137,457 Year 2: $150,874 Year 3: $173,548 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $136,126 Year 2: $136,499 Year 3: $165,375 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $128,556 Year 2: $135,709 Year 3: $157,500 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $123,354 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $139,234 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,326 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,185 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,457 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $107,477 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,475 Year 2: $85,391 Year 3: $104,592

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between CUNY Hunter College and Stanford University?

CUNY Hunter College is a public university primarily serving students from New York City, while Stanford University is a private research university with a global reach. Hunter is known for its affordability and accessibility, particularly for local students, whereas Stanford is highly selective and offers a wider range of resources and a larger endowment, leading to more research opportunities and financial aid packages.
How do the admissions processes compare between Hunter College and Stanford?

Stanford's admissions are extremely competitive, considering factors like GPA, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may apply), essays, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation. Hunter College, while selective, generally has less stringent requirements, with a greater emphasis on academic performance and residency within New York City. Hunter also offers opportunities for students with diverse academic backgrounds.
What is the cost of attendance at Hunter College versus Stanford University?

Hunter College is significantly more affordable, especially for New York State residents, due to its public funding. Tuition and fees are substantially lower than Stanford's. Stanford's tuition is considerably higher, but they also offer generous financial aid packages to eligible students, potentially covering a significant portion of the cost. It's important to explore financial aid options at both institutions.
What types of academic programs are offered at each institution?

Both Hunter College and Stanford University offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Stanford is particularly renowned for its programs in engineering, computer science, business, and law. Hunter College excels in areas like education, nursing, social work, and the humanities, with a strong focus on serving the needs of the New York City community. Both institutions offer strong liberal arts programs.
How do the campus environments differ between Hunter College and Stanford?

Hunter College is located in the heart of Manhattan, offering students access to the vibrant cultural and professional opportunities of New York City. The campus is integrated into the urban landscape. Stanford University boasts a large, self-contained campus in the Bay Area of California, providing a more traditional college town atmosphere with extensive green spaces and on-campus housing options.
What are the research opportunities like at Hunter College compared to Stanford?

Stanford University is a leading research institution with vast resources and funding, providing numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research across various disciplines. Hunter College also offers research opportunities, particularly within its specialized programs and through collaborations with other CUNY institutions and New York City organizations, though the scale and funding may differ.
How does the student body diversity compare between the two colleges?

Hunter College has a highly diverse student body, reflecting the demographics of New York City. It serves a large population of first-generation college students and students from underrepresented backgrounds. Stanford University also strives for diversity, attracting students from across the United States and around the world. Both institutions value diverse perspectives and experiences within their student communities.
What career services and alumni networks are available at Hunter College and Stanford?

Both Hunter College and Stanford University offer career services to help students with internships, job placement, and career development. Stanford's alumni network is extensive and influential, providing valuable connections and opportunities for graduates. Hunter College also has a strong alumni network, particularly within the New York City area, offering support and mentorship to current students and graduates.
What is the student-faculty ratio like at Hunter College versus Stanford University?

Stanford University generally has a lower student-faculty ratio than Hunter College, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes. Hunter College, as a public institution, may have larger class sizes, particularly in introductory courses. However, both institutions have dedicated faculty committed to student success.
How do the graduation rates compare between Hunter College and Stanford University?

Stanford University typically has a higher graduation rate than Hunter College. This can be attributed to factors such as student selectivity, resources available, and student demographics. Hunter College, while having a lower graduation rate, is committed to improving student success and offers various support services to help students complete their degrees.

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