CUNY Medgar Evers College

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 price?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-gen?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.