Brooklyn, NYpublicmec.cuny.edu
Medgar Evers College, a public institution in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights, is CUNY’s most unapologetically community-anchored campus—a launchpad for first-gen students, particularly Black and Caribbean New Yorkers, with a mission steeped in social justice. Its open-access admissions (86% acceptance rate) and robust ASAP program (47% graduation rate for enrollees) reflect a scrappy, supportive ethos, though overall graduation rates lag (22%). Strengths lie in practical majors like Nursing and Business, with faculty who ‘teach like your life depends on it.’
Medgar Evers operates with near-open admissions (86% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. per US News), making it one of CUNY’s most accessible four-year colleges. The middle 50% SAT range is 850–1020 (College Raptor), with no ACT requirement. Notably, 89% of students receive financial aid—well above national averages. While the college doesn’t publish a formal GPA cutoff, PrepScholar notes admitted students typically have GPAs around 2.5–3.0. The vibe is ‘come as you are, but come ready to work’: ASAP applicants (a high-support program) must commit to full-time enrollment and meet weekly with advisors.
The college’s academic identity orbits around workforce-aligned programs and social mobility. Top majors include Business Administration, Biology (with a Pre-Allied Health track), and Psychology (US News). The ASAP program—which boosts graduation rates by 2.5x—focuses on Liberal Arts, Business, and Science majors. Nursing is a sleeper hit, though not ASAP-eligible. Faculty are praised on Niche for ‘door-open policy’ mentoring, especially in Social Work. Don’t expect glossy facilities: this is a no-frills campus where ‘transformative education’ (per their motto) happens through sheer hustle, with a heavy emphasis on remedial support.
Campus culture is ‘commuter-school-meets-community-center’—60% of students live in Brooklyn (Fact Sheet 2022), and the Office of Student Life leans into hyperlocal engagement. Clubs like the Caribbean Students Association and Pre-Alumni Council dominate. Instagram reveals a scrappy events calendar: think ‘Financial Literacy Pop-Ups’ and ‘Sip & Paint for Stress Relief.’ The college wears its social justice DNA proudly, hosting annual tributes to Medgar Evers himself. Greek life is minimal; instead, students bond over shared grind (‘Library all-nighters feel like a group project,’ quips one Instagram post).
Graduation rates tell two stories: the overall 4-year rate is a dismal 15% (Varsity Tutors), but ASAP participants graduate at 47% (CUNY data). Median earnings 10 years out are $46,498—on par with CUNY peers but below national averages. The ‘leaky pipeline’ problem is real: only 50% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Yet for those who persist, the ROI is tangible: 70% of Business grads land jobs in-field (Fact Sheet), and the Nursing program has strong Brooklyn Hospital ties. This is a college where outcomes hinge on tapping into support systems early.
With a Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. of $6,207/year (MeetYourClass), MEC is among NYC’s most affordable bachelor’s programs. 89% of students receive aid, averaging $8,419 (EduRank)—mostly Pell Grants and CUNY scholarships. The financial aid office runs ‘Money Mondays’ workshops to demystise FAFSA. One catch: hidden costs add up for commuters (metro cards, off-campus meals). ASAP covers these gaps with free MetroCards and textbooks—a major reason its students graduate at higher rates.
Medgar Evers is CUNY’s rebel heart—a college that refuses to gentrify its mission. Where peers chase rankings, MEC measures success by how many First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students break cycles of poverty. Its ASAP program is a national model for supporting disadvantaged students. The location—deep in Crown Heights, amid Caribbean bakeries and brownstones—keeps the institution grounded in community needs. For students who want hand-holding, look elsewhere; for those who want professors who’ll ‘WhatsApp you job leads at midnight’ (per a Niche review), it’s a beacon.