Want to attend a standout school that fits your budget? Come to CCNY, says online publication "Money."
The City College of New York is one of the nation’s outstanding schools for value, another top ranking affirms. CCNY has been recognized as one of Money’s Best Colleges in America 2026.
In addition, Money’s, which gives CCNY four and a half stars out of five, ranks it among the Best Public Colleges that provide excellent value for students in their home states, and as one of the Best Colleges in the Northeast.
“Money's analysis showcases the country's top 735 colleges based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries and more. There isn't one "best" college for every student, but our star ratings can help you build a list of standout schools that fit your budget,” the online publication said.
Its Best Colleges list evaluates four-year colleges on 25 metrics — including graduation rates, costs, financial aid, student debt and alumni salaries — to help families find schools that deliver strong value. There’s no single “best” college for every student, but its star ratings can help parents and prospective students compare affordable colleges, discover standout schools and build a college list that fits their budget.
Money’s key findings about CCNY include:
• Acceptance rate of 60%;
• Graduation rate of 60%,
• Est. Full Price 2026-2027: $35,780
• Est. Price with Average Aid: $4,920
• Average time to degree: 4.6 years
• Median student debt: $11,990
• Median earnings for recent graduates: $42,637
The online publication notes CCNY’s remarkable diversity “that a vast majority of the roughly 14,000 undergraduate students are from New York, but they still come from a variety of backgrounds.” It also mentions the help its Immigrant Student Center for Resources renders to first-generation immigrants and students with undocumented status, who can qualify for in-state tuition and state financial aid.
“Alumni say that although classes can be hard, professors care about student success. The libraries are stacked, too, with more than 1.6 million print volumes — the largest library system within the City University of New York system. Outside of class, students can participate in 14 NCAA Division III teams and more than 100 clubs, among them an esports club, stock market club and a Bollywood dance club,” Money’s reported.
Data collection and analysis for the ratings were led by Money’s rankings partner, Witlytic. Money’s editorial staff, however, is solely responsible for the final ratings decisions. Click here for the methodology behind the 2026 rankings.
Money’s joins other major publications in recognizing CCNY’s academic prowess and value.
In its 2026 edition of Best Colleges published last fall, U.S. News & World Report ranked CCNY #132 out of the top 436 National Universities. CCNY was also ranked #9 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, a traditional forte of the institution.
The Princeton Review® also named The City College as one of the nation's academically best undergraduate institutions in the 2026 edition of its annual college guide, The Best 391 Colleges (Penguin Random House).
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 2.2% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY's annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the "for dollar" return on investment to students, taxpayers, and society. At City College, more than 16,500 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity, and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign ever. The campaign, titled "Doing Remarkable Things Together," seeks to bring the College's Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College's mission. By May 2026, $500 million had been raised. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic, and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
Jay Mwamba
p: 917.892.0374
e:
jmwamba@ccny.cuny.edu