Unveiling academic excellence a journey through CUNY Graduate School and University Center begins. CUNY Graduate School and University Center stands tall in the heart of New York City. It faces the iconic Empire State Building. This institution is a hub of research and postgraduate studies within the City University of New York system.
Established in 1961 CUNY Graduate School and University Center has evolved. It started as the Division of Graduate Studies at City University of New York. In 1969 it gained its current name. Today the CUNY Graduate Center is the primary doctorate-granting institution of CUNY. It holds an R1 classification signifying very high research activity.
Located in the B Altman and Company Building on Fifth Avenue CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers a wide array of programs. There are 32 doctoral programs and 18 master’s programs. Over 30 research centers and institutes operate within its walls. The CUNY Graduate Center has a core faculty of about 130. Additionally over 1700 faculty members come from other CUNY campuses. As of fall 2025 over 3100 students are enrolled. Of these 2600 are doctoral students. Admission is competitive. For the fall 2024 semester only 16.3% of doctoral program applicants were admitted.
The Mina Rees Library is a vital resource here at the CUNY Graduate School and University Center. It is named after mathematician and former president Mina Rees. It is part of the CUNY library network. This network collectively holds over 6.2 million volumes. Since 1968 the CUNY Graduate Center has had an agreement with the New York Public Library. This gives students and faculty increased borrowing privileges at NYPL’s research collections. These collections are housed in the Stephen A Schwarzman Building.
The CUNY Graduate Center also houses cultural venues. The James Gallery is an independent exhibition space open to the public. The building also has television studios for NYC Media and CUNY TV.
The faculty of the CUNY Graduate School and University Center are highly decorated. They include recipients of Nobel Prizes Pulitzer Prizes and National Medals of Science. They have also been awarded Guggenheim Fellowships and many other honors.
Originally the CUNY Graduate Center was located in Aeolian Hall. This was on West 42nd Street. It was opposite the New York Public Library Main Branch. In 2000 the CUNY Graduate Center moved to its current location. In 2017 the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center became part of the CUNY Graduate Center.
The Advanced Science Research Center is an interdisciplinary STEM center. Its research spans nanoscience photonics structural biology neuroscience and environmental science. The CUNY ASRC has state-of-the-art core facilities. These facilities are available to researchers from CUNY other academic institutions and for-profit companies.
The CUNY Graduate School and University Center’s Mina Rees Library is a hub for research. It provides access to vast collections and expert assistance. The library supports digital scholarship and promotes open-access literature. The Activist Women’s Voices collection is a special part of its holdings.
The CUNY Graduate School and University Center maintains a strong connection to the New York Public Library. Students and faculty have borrowing privileges at NYPL research collections.
The CUNY Graduate Center also houses performance spaces. These include the Harold M Proshansky Auditorium the Baisley Powell Elebash Recital Hall and the Martin E Segal Theatre. CUNY TV broadcasts from studios within the building. NYC Media also shares these facilities.
CUNY Graduate School and University Center is dedicated to academic research. It fosters a vibrant community of scholars and artists. The CUNY Graduate School and University Center continues to shape the future of graduate education in New York City.