I've seen the abbreviation CUNY thrown around on this sub quite a bit and I'm not sure what it stands for? Could anyone provide some info on this? What makes it different from other universities?
CUNY stands for City University of New York. It's a public university system in New York City, and it's one of the largest urban universities in the United States.
What sets CUNY apart from other university systems is its commitment to providing quality, accessible higher education for all students, regardless of income or background. The system is made up of 25 different individual colleges and graduate schools spread across the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island), offering a wide range of study fields and degrees—from associate's degrees to doctoral degrees.
Another unique aspect of CUNY is its affordability. As a public university, tuition costs are much lower than those of many private institutions, especially for New York residents. For students with financial need, there are numerous scholarships and grants available through the system as well.
Furthermore, the diversity of the student body at CUNY is notable. It’s home to students from many different cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and countries, offering a uniquely diverse educational environment.
One of the most attractive features of the CUNY system is its location—in the heart of New York City. This provides students with a multitude of internship, job, and cultural opportunities.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.