CUNY Colleges Recognized for Social Mobility and Overall Quality

CUNY Colleges Ranks High in Social Mobility

The City College of New York has been named No. 10 (tied) for social mobility among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 Best Colleges rankings. Six CUNY senior colleges ranked among the top 10 North Region universities for social mobility, with Hunter College at No. 1. Other CUNY schools include Baruch College (2), Lehman College (tied at 4), John Jay College of Criminal Justice (6), Queens College (7), and Brooklyn College (8).

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “These rankings by U.S. News further attest to CUNY’s superlative strength as an engine of social mobility and a system of schools that provide high-quality educational experiences. We are proud to help all students, regardless of their economic background, pursue and achieve their professional dreams.”

Rationale for Rankings

U.S. News calculates its rankings based on various factors, including graduation and retention rates, standardized test scores, financial resources, and other factors. The publication also takes into account the number of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs offered by each institution.

Top Public Schools

U.S. News ranked seven CUNY colleges among the top public universities in the North Region. These include Baruch College (3), John Jay College of Criminal Justice (7), Hunter College (tied at 10), Lehman College (12), Brooklyn College (15), Queens College (tied at 17), and New York City College of Technology (14). Medgar Evers College was also named No. 15 among the top public schools that are ranked as national liberal arts colleges.

Other Recognition

Baruch, Hunter, and John Jay tied for ninth place for most innovative universities in the North Region, a list that identifies schools making the most innovative improvements in curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology, or facilities. The three schools were also named among the top 50 on the best colleges list for universities in the North.

Conclusion

The recognition of CUNY colleges by U.S. News is a testament to the institutions’ commitment to providing high-quality educational experiences and promoting social mobility among their students.

FAQs

Q: How does U.S. News calculate its rankings?

A: U.S. News calculates its rankings based on various factors, including graduation and retention rates, standardized test scores, financial resources, and other factors.

Q: What criteria does U.S. News use to determine social mobility rankings?

A: U.S. News bases its social mobility rankings on the graduation rates of Pell Grant recipients.

Q: How does CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez feel about the rankings?

A: CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez expressed pride in the recognition, saying that the rankings further attest to CUNY’s strength as an engine of social mobility and a system of schools that provide high-quality educational experiences.