CUNY GPA Requirements: Senior & Community Colleges
The City University of New York includes senior colleges, community colleges, and graduate schools serving NYC’s diverse student body. GPA expectations vary by campus, program, and pathway. This guide covers competitive ranges, honors and opportunity programs, and transfer strategies.
Senior Colleges: Typical Competitiveness
| Campus | Competitive GPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baruch / Hunter / City College | 3.5–3.9+ | Business, CS, Nursing highly selective |
| Brooklyn / Queens / Lehman | 3.2–3.7 | Program‑dependent; honors programs higher |
| John Jay / Staten Island / York | 2.9–3.5 | Specialized programs (e.g., criminal justice) |
Community Colleges & Transfer Pathways
- Community colleges provide accessible entry with structured transfer pathways to senior colleges
- Complete English/Math placement and program prerequisites early
- Maintain an upward GPA trend; competitive transfers target 3.2–3.8 depending on major/campus
Honors and Opportunity Programs
- Macaulay Honors: Highly selective; strong GPA, rigor, and essays required
- SEEK / College Discovery: Access and support with defined academic progress standards
- Campus Honors: Many colleges offer honors tracks with higher GPA expectations