Hunter College is one of the most prestigious colleges in the City University of New York (CUNY) system. It was founded in 1870 by Thomas Hunter, an Irish immigrant and social reformer. As the first public women’s college in the United States, Hunter College broke down barriers to admission based on race, religion, and ethnicity from its very inception. After more than 150 years of development, it has become one of the most influential public institutions of higher education in New York City and across the United States. The college is located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, neighboring world-class cultural landmarks such as Central Park and Museum Mile.
Social Mobility: The Nation’s No. 1 “Engine of the American Dream”
Hunter College’s outstanding performance in promoting social mobility sets it apart in the U.S. higher education landscape. In the 2026 U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings, Hunter College ranked 21st among Northern Region universities and took the top spot nationwide in the Social Mobility category—tied with Baruch College for first place in the Northern Region. This ranking measures a school’s effectiveness in helping recipients of the Federal Pell Grant (i.e., students from low-income backgrounds) complete their degrees. Additionally, Hunter College ranked second in the nation in The Wall Street Journal’s “Best Value Colleges” ranking and also ranked highly on Forbes’ list of “Colleges with the Highest Return on Investment.”
Academic Strength: Five Schools and Over 170 Degree Programs
Hunter College offers over 170 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools. Popular majors include psychology (18% of graduates), human biology (13%), computer science (9%), biology (6%), and sociology (5%). The School of Nursing is nationally renowned, with its master’s program ranked 43rd by U.S. News; the Fine Arts program is ranked 23rd in the nation, with both Painting and Sculpture ranked 9th; the Silberman School of Social Work is also highly regarded. Process for Obtaining a Hunter College Diploma
Career Prospects: High Return on Investment, Quick Payback
Hunter College graduates’ employment statistics are quite impressive—the median salary six years after graduation is $50,414; Graduates with a degree in Computer Science earn a starting salary as high as $110,465, while those in Human Biology earn $71,599. According to Forbes, Hunter College graduates can recoup their educational investment in just about three years. Through the “CUNY Beyond” career development program, the college helps 80% of its graduates secure a living wage.
A Unique Distinction: The Cradle of Two Nobel Laureates
Hunter College is the only institution in the United States to have produced two female Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine—Gertrude Elion (Class of ’37) and Rosalyn Yalow both graduated from here. In addition, the college has produced two Pulitzer Prize winners, three National Medal of Science recipients, and numerous distinguished figures who have had a profound impact on the worlds of politics, law, and culture.
