All senior colleges within the City University of New York (CUNY) system actually share a standardized tuition rate for New York State residents, making the "cheapest" choice more about mandatory fees and the cost of living rather than the tuition itself. As of the 2025-2026 academic year, full-time undergraduate tuition for in-state residents is approximately $6,930 per year ($3,465 per semester). However, when factoring in student fees, the CUNY Graduate Center often appears as the lowest total "sticker price" for certain undergraduate programs at around $15,185 (including all associated costs), followed closely by City College of New York (CCNY) and Medgar Evers College. For those seeking the absolute lowest barrier to entry, CUNY's community colleges (like Borough of Manhattan or Guttman) are significantly cheaper than the senior colleges, with in-state tuition around $4,800 per year. Additionally, for many New York residents, the "Excelsior Scholarship" can make tuition $0 if family income is under $125,000. Therefore, while City College is often cited as a top value, the most "affordable" CUNY for an individual depends on whether they qualify for financial aid and whether they choose a 2-year community college or a 4-year senior institution, as the base tuition remains remarkably consistent across the entire system.