College of Staten Island (CSI) is a public senior college of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, located on a 204-acre campus in Willowbrook, Staten Island, New York, USA. Ranked #98 in Regional Universities North by US News 2026, CSI is the largest campus by area in New York City and is one of only two four-year CUNY colleges to offer engineering degrees.
The College of Staten Island offers 82 undergraduate and graduate programmes across four schools, including Science and Technology, Business, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Education. All programmes are taught in English, with two intakes each year in Fall and Spring. For Indian students seeking an affordable US degree, CSI combines CUNY-system tuition rates with New York City’s employer network. The college’s F-1 student visa sponsorship covers roughly 3% international enrolment across all universities in USA operated by CUNY.
- US News Rank (2026): #98 Regional Universities North
- Acceptance Rate: 92% (estimated)
- Intakes: Fall (August) primary; Spring (January) secondary
- Non-Resident PG Tuition: USD 855 per credit (INR 81,079 per credit)
- Total Enrolment: 10,597 students (Spring 2025)
- Average Starting Salary: USD 53,200 (INR 50.5 lakh)
The College of Staten Island charges out-of-state tuition to all F-1 international applicants across every programme. Merit scholarships are available after admission through the CSI Foundation, and social-mobility recognition places CSI at #33 nationally per US News 2026, a rise of 49 spots year over year.
Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 94.83 as of September 2026
Admission Status: Closing Soon (Spring 2027 intake) and Open (Fall 2027 intake). The Spring 2027 priority deadline is 15 September 2026 for international applicants, roughly two weeks from today. The Fall 2027 priority deadline is 1 February 2027, which serves as the primary intake for most Indian students. CSI accepts applications on a rolling basis after each priority date, subject to seat availability and F-1 processing timelines.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at College of Staten Island 2027
- College of Staten Island Admission 2027
- College of Staten Island Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- College of Staten Island Acceptance Rate 2027
- CSI Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- College of Staten Island Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- College of Staten Island Scholarships 2027
- College of Staten Island Rankings 2027
- College of Staten Island Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- College of Staten Island vs Peer Universities
- College of Staten Island FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at College of Staten Island 2027
The College of Staten Island prices all courses on a per-credit basis for out-of-state and F-1 international students. Undergraduate credits carry a flat rate of USD 620 each, while all graduate credits are priced at USD 855. Master’s programmes typically total 30 to 60 credits over two years, and bachelor’s programmes require 120 credits over four years.
Top PG Programmes at CSI Fees 2027
The following ten master’s, engineering, and doctoral programmes are the most searched CSI options among Indian graduate applicants. Total fees below assume the full published credit load at the non-resident rate.
| Programme | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Computer Science | 25,650 | 24.3 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MEng Electrical Engineering | 25,650 | 24.3 lakh | Bachelor’s engineering with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Business Management | 30,780 | 29.2 lakh | Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10 (recommended) |
| MA Liberal Studies | 25,650 | 24.3 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Cybersecurity | 25,650 | 24.3 lakh | Bachelor’s in computing with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MSW Social Work | 51,300 | 48.6 lakh | Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10 (recommended) |
| MS Nursing | 34,200 | 32.4 lakh | BSN with 60% and RN licence (recommended) |
| MA English | 25,650 | 24.3 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Environmental Science | 25,650 | 24.3 lakh | Bachelor’s in science with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| DPT Physical Therapy | 85,500 (estimated) | 81.1 lakh (estimated) | Bachelor’s in health science with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10 (recommended) |
Top UG Programmes at CSI Fees 2027
Four-year bachelor’s programmes at CSI total 120 credits at the non-resident rate. The five most popular options among Indian undergraduate applicants are listed below.
| Programme | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS Computer Science | 74,400 | 70.6 lakh | Class 12 with 70% to 85% (recommended) |
| BS Engineering Science | 74,400 | 70.6 lakh | Class 12 with 75% in PCM (recommended) |
| BSN Nursing | 74,400 | 70.6 lakh | Class 12 with 75% in PCB (recommended) |
| BS Business (BBA) | 74,400 | 70.6 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) |
| BS Psychology | 74,400 | 70.6 lakh | Class 12 with 65% (recommended) |
Insider note: Indian graduate applicants at CSI most often enrol in MS Computer Science and MEng Electrical Engineering because both qualify as STEM designated programmes eligible for the 24-month OPT extension.
Read More: CSI Fees and Course Guide
College of Staten Island Admission 2027
The College of Staten Island runs two annual intakes for international applicants: a primary Fall intake starting late August and a smaller Spring intake starting late January. Fall is the recommended cycle for Indian students because it opens the widest choice of programmes and campus housing.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 priority deadline | 15 September 2026 | Closing soon; secondary intake with limited seat availability |
| Fall 2027 priority deadline | 1 February 2027 | Primary intake for most Indian applicants |
| Credential verification (WES or ECE) | Start 6 to 8 weeks before deadline | Course-by-course evaluation required for all foreign transcripts |
| Financial aid priority deadline (Fall) | Expected 31 March 2027 (based on prior cycle) | Applies to scholarship consideration only |
| Fall 2027 programme start | Expected late August 2027 (based on prior cycle) | F-1 visa interview should be booked by June 2027 |
Planning note: The Spring 2027 window closes 15 September 2026. Indian applicants who miss it should target the Fall 2027 cycle rather than the Spring 2028 round, since Fall carries larger cohorts, teaching-assistant openings, and orientation programming.
Read More: CSI Admissions Guide for Indian Students
College of Staten Island Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
The College of Staten Island uses a common set of academic and English proficiency thresholds for Indian applicants, with graduate requirements set higher than undergraduate.
PG Requirements at College of Staten Island
- Academic: Bachelor’s degree with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended); business and health programmes prefer 60% or CGPA 6.0/10
- English: TOEFL iBT 79 (0-120 scale), IELTS 6.5 overall, PTE Academic 53, or Duolingo English Test 100
- Credential evaluation: Course-by-course report from WES, ECE, SpanTran, or other CSI-approved service
- Additional: No GRE or GMAT required for most master’s programmes; TOEFL ITP 550 to 600 accepted if taken at CSI’s English Language Institute
UG Requirements at College of Staten Island
- Academic: Class 12 with 70% to 85% (recommended); competitive baccalaureate programmes prefer 75% and higher
- English: TOEFL iBT 45 (0-120 scale), IELTS 5.0 overall, PTE Academic 39, or Duolingo English Test 75
- Additional: SAT or ACT required for baccalaureate admission; average admitted GPA is 3.13 on a 4.0 scale
Key insight: CSI’s Duolingo threshold of 100 for graduate applicants is roughly one score band above the CUNY system minimum. Indian applicants below that mark should schedule an IELTS or TOEFL retake rather than rely on the CSI English Language Institute bridge, which extends F-1 timelines by one to two semesters.
College of Staten Island Acceptance Rate 2027
The College of Staten Island acceptance rate for 2027 sits at 92% (estimated), drawn from published third-party admissions data. CSI operates as a near open-admissions CUNY senior college, and no official acceptance percentage is published on the university’s own admissions pages, so the figure should be treated as directional rather than exact.
The average admitted student holds a high-school GPA of 3.13 on a 4.0 scale, and a recommended SAT score of 990 or above is treated as functionally guaranteed for baccalaureate entry. Indian applicants with Class 12 scores above 70% typically clear the academic screen without difficulty.
Reality check: A 92% headline rate does not mean automatic admission to every programme. CSI’s Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Engineering pathways carry secondary reviews with GPA cutoffs, portfolio requirements, or prerequisite science coursework, and reject a meaningful share of otherwise admitted students.
Read More: CSI Acceptance Rate
CSI Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
Total annual cost for an Indian F-1 student at the College of Staten Island runs USD 30,000 to USD 42,000 (INR 28.4 to 39.8 lakh), including tuition, mandatory fees, on-campus housing, and living expenses.
CSI Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027
All F-1 international students pay the CUNY senior college non-resident rate, priced per credit for both undergraduate and graduate study. Mandatory fees add roughly USD 500 per semester.
| Level | Per-Credit Fee (USD) | Annual Full-Time Fee (USD) | Annual Full-Time Fee (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (24 credits per year) | 620 | 14,880 | 14.1 lakh |
| Graduate (18 credits per year) | 855 | 15,390 | 14.6 lakh |
| Graduate STEM (24 credits per year) | 855 | 20,520 | 19.5 lakh |
[Source: CUNY Bursar Fall 2025 to Spring 2026 tuition schedule, applied system-wide to CSI]
Monthly Cost of Living in CSI Staten Island for Indian Students
Staten Island offers lower housing costs than Manhattan or Brooklyn while remaining connected by ferry and city transit. On-campus Dolphin Cove residence is the most predictable option for first-year Indian students.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (Dolphin Cove or shared apartment) | 800 to 1,200 | 75,864 to 1,13,796 |
| Food and groceries | 400 to 525 | 37,932 to 49,786 |
| Transportation (MetroCard, ferry) | 132 | 12,518 |
| Books and supplies | 125 | 11,854 |
| Personal and utilities | 200 to 300 | 18,966 to 28,449 |
| Total monthly | 1,657 to 2,282 | 1.57 to 2.16 lakh |
| Annual (10 months) | 16,570 to 22,820 | 15.7 to 21.6 lakh |
[Source: Staten Island market rents per Zumper and RentHop August 2026; MetroCard per MTA 2026 tariff (estimated)]
Insider note: Dolphin Cove on-campus rooms are billed USD 6,535 to USD 9,105 per academic year, which is below the equivalent shared-apartment cost in central Staten Island once utilities and internet are added.
Read More: Study in USA Guide
College of Staten Island Campus, Facilities and Student Life
CSI occupies a 204-acre parkland campus in Willowbrook, the largest single college campus by area in New York City, connected to Manhattan via the Staten Island Ferry and MTA bus network.
- Location and transport: Willowbrook, Staten Island; connected to Manhattan via a 25-minute Staten Island Ferry ride (free of charge) plus S62 or S93 bus to campus
- Housing: Dolphin Cove on-campus residence houses roughly 440 students in fully furnished suites; not guaranteed for international applicants, so early housing applications matter
- Notable facilities: Willowbrook Park adjacent to campus, 24-hour Sports and Recreation Center, and CUNY Interdisciplinary High Performance Computing Center for STEM research
- Indian student community: Indian and South Asian students form part of the 3% international cohort, supported by the Center for Global Engagement and the CUNY-wide South Asian Association
What Indian students say: Ferry access to Manhattan makes New York City internships realistic on a Staten Island budget, and campus housing at Dolphin Cove is often cheaper than shared apartments in Jersey City or Bay Ridge once utilities are counted.
College of Staten Island Scholarships 2027
The College of Staten Island offers merit-based scholarships through the CSI Foundation and the Office of Institutional Advancement, most awarded after admission rather than at application. No named scholarships are exclusively earmarked for Indian nationals.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSI Foundation Scholarships | Merit and need | Verify at official page | Enrolled students with GPA 3.0 and community service record | Last business day of February 2027 |
| CSI Departmental Scholarships | Merit | Verify at official page | Awarded after admission to specific majors including Nursing, Engineering, Business | Verify at official page |
| International Merit Awards | Merit | Verify at official page | Extended to admitted international applicants at Center for Global Engagement discretion | Post-admission review |
Planning note: CSI publishes scholarship values inconsistently across departments, so Indian applicants should confirm exact award amounts with the CSI Foundation office at michele.callahan@csi.cuny.edu once they hold an admission letter.
Read More: CSI Scholarships Guide
College of Staten Island Rankings 2027
The College of Staten Island’s strongest ranking is #33 in US News 2026 Top Public Schools (Regional North), a four-place gain year over year, alongside a matching #33 for Social Mobility that rose 49 spots in the same edition.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| US News Regional Universities North | 2026: #98 | 2025: #102 (estimated) | 2024: NA |
| US News Top Public Schools (Regional North) | 2026: #33 | 2025: #37 (estimated) | 2024: NA |
| US News Social Mobility (Regional North) | 2026: #33 | 2025: #82 (estimated) | 2024: NA |
| Forbes America’s Top Colleges | 2024: #451 (estimated) | 2019: #551 | NA |
| QS World University Rankings | Not ranked in QS 2027 | Not ranked in QS 2026 | Not ranked in QS 2025 |
| Times Higher Education World | Not ranked in THE 2026 | Not ranked in THE 2025 | Not ranked in THE 2024 |
[Source: US News Best Colleges 2026, Forbes America’s Top Colleges, QS, THE]
CSI is not ranked in the QS World, THE World, US News Best Global, or ARWU editions because those systems benchmark research-intensive doctoral universities. US News Best Colleges places CSI regionally, alongside Nursing recognition (#54 in USA per US News 2024 subject data).
Key insight: For Indian F-1 applicants, CSI’s Regional Universities North placement satisfies most US employer degree-recognition checks and qualifies STEM master’s graduates for the 24-month OPT extension, even without a QS world rank.
Read More: CSI Rankings Analysis
College of Staten Island Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
The College of Staten Island reports strong short-term employment outcomes through its Center for Career and Professional Development, though it does not publish a single university-wide placement percentage.
- Employment within six months: 85% of graduates employed or in graduate study (per Niche outcomes data)
- Median starting salary: USD 53,200 (INR 50.5 lakh) at the start of career per market data
- Mid-career median salary: USD 74,200 (INR 70.4 lakh) per market data
- Careers support: Center for Career and Professional Development runs employer fairs, resume clinics, and paid-internship placement (median USD 65,000 to USD 75,000 in education and business)
- Post-study work visa: 12-month OPT for all majors; 24-month STEM OPT extension for MS Computer Science, MEng, MS Cybersecurity, and MS Environmental Science; MS in USA graduates use this route to secure H-1B sponsorship
Insider note: CSI’s location within the New York City labour market gives Indian STEM graduates access to Manhattan finance and tech employers during OPT, which is a step up from most other Regional Universities North of similar size.
College of Staten Island vs Peer Universities
The peer set below covers other CUNY senior colleges Indian applicants shortlist alongside CSI on affordability and New York City access.
| University | US News 2026 Rank | Avg Annual PG Fee (USD) | Avg Annual PG Fee (INR lakh) | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Staten Island | #98 Regional North | 15,390 to 20,520 | 14.6 to 19.5 lakh | Largest NYC campus; strong social-mobility record |
| CUNY City College | #132 National | 15,360 (estimated) | 14.6 lakh (estimated) | Broadest CUNY research base; Grove School of Engineering |
| CUNY Queens College | #42 Regional North (estimated) | 15,488 (estimated) | 14.7 lakh (estimated) | Strong education and computer science programmes |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | #40 Regional North (estimated) | 15,390 (estimated) | 14.6 lakh (estimated) | Business, media, and film production strength |
| CUNY Hunter College | #22 Regional North (estimated) | 15,390 (estimated) | 14.6 lakh (estimated) | Manhattan location; nursing and psychology focus |
The College of Staten Island stands out on cost per credit for graduate STEM against private New York universities, and on social-mobility ROI against most CUNY peers per US News 2026.
For Indian applicants weighing an MBA in USA alongside CSI’s MS Business Management, CSI’s lower tuition and NYC placement network make it a defensible ROI choice against distant public universities.
The College of Staten Island is right for Indian applicants who want an affordable New York City degree, F-1 sponsorship, and STEM OPT eligibility on a total two-year investment near INR 40 lakh, paired against a starting salary of INR 50 lakh. Its social-mobility ranking and CUNY-system tuition floor make it a strong ROI pick.
CSI is not the right fit for applicants targeting top-100 QS World brand recognition, doctoral research funding, or Ivy-tier recruiter access. Those students should shortlist Stony Brook University or Rutgers New Brunswick, which carry stronger research profiles at a modestly higher cost.
College of Staten Island FAQs
Ques. Does College of Staten Island offer part-time work options for Indian F-1 students?
Ans. Yes, F-1 students at CSI can work up to 20 hours per week on campus during term and up to 40 hours during official breaks. On-campus roles run through the Student Jobs office and cover library, lab, and administrative positions. Off-campus work requires Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training authorisation, coordinated through the Center for Global Engagement, and cannot start in the first academic year.
Ques. Can Indian applicants get a GRE waiver at the College of Staten Island?
Ans. Most CSI master’s programmes do not require the GRE at all, including MS Computer Science, MEng Electrical Engineering, and MS Business Management. Programmes that historically required GRE now review applications holistically on GPA, coursework rigour, and statement of purpose. Indian applicants with a bachelor’s CGPA of 6.5/10 or above rarely need to submit test scores, though a strong GRE can strengthen weaker academic files.
Ques. What documents does CSI need for transcript verification from India?
Ans. CSI requires a course-by-course credential evaluation from WES, ECE, SpanTran, or another approved agency. Indian applicants must send sealed transcripts and mark sheets directly from their college or university to the evaluator, along with a copy of the bachelor’s degree certificate. Turnaround runs six to eight weeks, so Indian applicants should start the WES process by December 2026 to meet the Fall 2027 deadline.
Ques. How much financial proof does an Indian student need for the CSI I-20?
Ans. The College of Staten Island issues an I-20 once an admitted international applicant demonstrates one year of funding covering tuition, fees, and living expenses, typically USD 30,000 to USD 42,000 (INR 28.4 to 39.8 lakh). Acceptable proof includes a bank certificate dated within six months, an education loan sanction letter, a scholarship award notice, or a sponsor’s Affidavit of Support with income documents.
Ques. Are Indian education loans accepted for CSI tuition payment?
Ans. Indian public and private lenders including SBI, HDFC Credila, Avanse, Auxilo, and Prodigy Finance disburse education loans against the CSI I-20 and admission letter. Loan sanction letters are treated as valid I-20 funding proof, and disbursement typically routes directly to the CUNY Bursar via SWIFT or Flywire. Indian applicants should confirm loan tenure and moratorium terms cover the full two-year master’s programme before signing.
Ques. Can Indian dependents accompany a CSI student on an F-2 visa?
Ans. Yes, spouses and unmarried children under 21 qualify for F-2 dependent visas linked to the CSI student’s F-1 status. Applicants must show additional financial proof of USD 6,000 to USD 8,000 per dependent per year and add each dependent to the SEVIS I-20. F-2 dependents cannot work in the USA, and F-2 spouses may only enrol in part-time study; F-2 children may attend K-12 school full time.
Ques. What is the College of Staten Island application fee for international applicants?
Ans. CSI charges USD 65 for freshman undergraduate applications, USD 70 for transfer undergraduate applications, and USD 75 for graduate applications. All fees are non-refundable and paid online during application submission through the CUNY portal or the CSI graduate application system. Fee waivers are not standard for international applicants, though department-level exceptions exist for exceptional graduate candidates in STEM disciplines.
Ques. How does CSI handle conditional English admission for Indian applicants?
Ans. Applicants below the CSI English threshold can enter the English Language Institute pathway on campus, completing intensive coursework before beginning degree study. The bridge adds one to two semesters and additional cost, and progression to the degree programme requires clearing the TOEFL ITP at 550 to 600 on completion. Indian applicants close to the standard TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.5 minimum are better served retaking the test than entering the ELI route.
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College of Staten Island Reviews
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1 Reviews Found
Overview
Their educational program is one of the best, many teachers I know had graduated from here and gave high praise for their wonderful educational program. I opted to come here because I am passionate about education and want to become an English teacher for 7-12th graders and one-day college students.
Fees
I did not know that my school charges you for every class to switch out of after the first day of classes for the college have started. It's horrible because I was unaware of it and nowhere had this information been given to me. I had to pay out of my own pocket because financial aid wasn't enough to cover it.
College of Staten Island Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 95,580/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| R&D Systems Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 1.4 L/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| QS Connect Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 4.8 L/Yr$5,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BL Mandhana Scholarships | Scholarship per student₹ 9.6 L/Yr$10,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Go Clean Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 3.3 L/Yr$3,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Business Administration Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
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College of Staten Island Admissions
Application Portal: https://www.cuny.edu/admissions/apply.html
Early Action Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
College of Staten Island Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15327 | 4293 | 11034 | 31 |


















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