CUNY versus SUNY

Have you started searching yet for a possible college? Do you want to remain in New York while you prepare to embark on a career? If you do you might consider applying to either a state or city university.

Enrolling in a CUNY or SUNY might be great opportunity because these colleges offer a challenging, rigorous education at an affordable price compared to other public and private colleges.

Moreover, since they are located all over New York, distance from home should not be an issue.

Additionally, the 63 SUNY colleges, for example Stony Brook, and Geneseo Honors College, offer a wide range of programs from performing arts, engineering, medicine, criminal justice, technology, and more.

Similarly, the 23 NYC wide CUNY Colleges also provide varying courses mainly in the medical, criminal justice, law, engineering, and the humanities.

“I applied to Hunter College because of their wonderful biotechnology department, and I also applied to John Jay College for their forensic science department,” said senior Melissa Coughlin.

The Macaulay Honors program, offered at seven CUNY colleges, is perhaps the most prestigious program available among colleges nationwide.

This program offers a select few students at each CUNY a full scholarship, a free dorm, a laptop, opportunities to study abroad, along with a rigorous curriculum and an advisory program that ensures students get the best classes and professors.

“Baruch University and Hunter College are probably the best CUNY Colleges. I was lucky to be accepted into Hunter with a scholarship and, combined with some financial aid, I will only have to pay about $2,000 for my tuition each year,” said senior Gerald Lara.

“I applied to Binghamton, Stony Brook, and SUNY Buffalo because those have the best major choices in which I am interested, and they provide close to an ivy-like education at a lower price, thanks to financial aid,” said senior Marco Muniz.

Despite the ranks that the aforementioned popular and most favored colleges receive, students enrolled in the other CUNY or SUNY colleges obtain a reasonably inexpensive, excellent education college education as well.

The CUNY website shows that average annual tuition costs last year for their colleges were approximately $4,250, and average total costs including housing, books, supplies, meals, transportation and miscellaneous charges was $10,322 for residents of New York.

Similarly, SUNY average tuition costs were $5,580 last year, with average total costs of $12,210.

These costs are substantially lower than private college costs, which averaged $33,390 last year. Some private schools are as high as $50,000 per year.

Affordable tuition and living costs, along with a varying list of classes and career choices make both CUNY and SUNY colleges the best choices in town.

“What makes Brockport unique is that the school has a great way of making school your “home away from home. They’ve got great athletics, which was a prime factor in my decision, based on me being an athlete all my life. But also, they have so many clubs, and so many social events that help you get to know your peers,” said SUNY Brockport senior Vanessa DiNoto.

High school students, juniors especially, should check out and be familiar with both the CUNY and SUNY colleges that can fit their interests. This way, when the application process arrives, there’s no hesitation.

“High school students should definitely know what each college has to offer. Also, they should research the financial aid and scholarship opportunities,” said Coughlin.

Collegeboard.com is a good tool to use to learn about everything from tuition costs, majors that are offered, and sports teams.

Besides Collegeboard.com, Cuny.edu or Suny.edu are excellent research tools. In addition to tuition costs and admission requirements, application deadlines are also posted.

According to the State University of New York’s website, “While there is no formal application deadline for freshman applicants, we recommend you apply by December 1 to maximize your chances for financial aid, campus housing and consideration for your major of choice. Please note, some colleges have specific application deadline dates for certain programs of study.”

In addition, many colleges offer Early Decision or Early Action programs to fall freshmen. Applicants to an Early Decision program should apply by November 1st. Applicants to an Early Action program should apply by November 15th.

CUNY schools generally have the same policy, however, rolling admission at many CUNY’s allows students to apply anytimg. Still it is recommended that applicants apply early, as seats fill up fast.

The deadline for the Macaulay Honors Program at the CUNY schools is December 15; Early Action for the honors program November 1st. The deadline for regular admission for all CUNY schools is March 15.