CUNY Graduation Rates Declined Through 2026

New York City university system saw enrollment growth alongside lower completion metrics.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in College Applications

Isometric editorial illustration of repeating stone academic arches and brick masonry structures representing the CUNY system. — Graduation rates at the City University of New York declined to 34.5% for associate programs by 2026, even as total system enrollment grew to over 246,000 students. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Graduation rates across the City University of New York (CUNY) fell between 2022 and 2026, even as total enrollment rose to 246,503 students. Officials identified lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in freshman class composition as key contributors to the decline.

Why it matters

The drop in graduation rates highlights ongoing challenges for the university system in stabilizing student success metrics following long-term academic disruptions. University administrators are now navigating a landscape where improved retention rates coexist with lower overall degree completion.

Associate degree graduation rates at community colleges fell to 35.5% in 2026 from 38.9% in 2022. Total enrollment across the CUNY system increased 4% year-over-year to 246,503 total students.

The players

City University of New York

The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City and the largest urban university system in the United States.

The details

While completion rates for the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs declined from 44% to 34.5% over the same period, the university did see one-year retention rates for baccalaureate freshmen climb to 85.4%. CUNY sought to address these trends by expanding advising for freshmen and facilitating easier credit transfers between two-year and four-year institutions.

2019: Freshmen cohort faced COVID-19 pandemic disruption.
2022: Baseline graduation rates measured.
2025: Baseline for professor and enrollment data.
2026: Most recent graduation and enrollment data collected.

Culture Shift

This decline follows the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a rapid, unprecedented shift in how students engage with higher education in New York City. The university system is now navigating a long-term adjustment period as it balances increased enrollment with the need to restore previous completion standards.

Prospective students may notice improved retention initiatives such as expanded academic advising and streamlined credit transfers when navigating their paths through the system. However, the lower overall graduation rates highlight the importance for current students to utilize these new support resources to ensure timely degree completion.

The takeaway

The gap between rising enrollment and falling graduation rates suggests that students face significant obstacles in completing their degrees despite increased retention efforts. Students should prioritize early engagement with academic advisors to leverage available transfer and degree-planning support.