The only community college in all of Brooklyn, CUNY Kingsborough Community College is consistently ranked as one of the best community colleges in New York, for both education and value reasons. Located at Manhattan Beach, the suburban campus spans over 70 acres and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, Jamaica Bay, and Sheepshead Bay.
CUNY Kingsborough Community College’s current campus opened in 1965, and before that, classes were held in one of the public school buildings in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood. Today, about 15,000 degree-seeking students are enrolled in classes each year, with even more students participating in non-credit coursework, as well as participating in specialized programs.
The academic schedule at CUNY Kingsborough Community College is divided into two 12-week long semesters, which are each followed by a six-week module where students can either continue to take more classes, or take a break from coursework. This program is in effect so that those working towards associate’s degrees can complete the necessary work in a shorter amount of time, thus saving valuable money.
Since many of the students who attend CUNY Kingsborough Community College choose to earn bachelor’s degrees (over 70 percent of the student body, in fact), being able to finish their work at Kingsborough quickly and efficiently is extremely helpful towards future academic success, too.
CUNY Kingsborough Community College offers over 28 different associate’s degrees. It also has one of the busiest adult education programs in all of New York, as well as a large and comprehensive GED program. The school is known for its special Bilingual Studies Program, where Spanish-speaking students receive an introduction to learning English, as well as the My Turn initiative, where residents of Brooklyn over the age of 60 can enjoy courses free of tuition.
For those degree-seeking enrolled students, it’s possible to earn a Liberal Arts-AA degree or a Sciences-AS degree. The coursework for the Liberal Arts degree includes Anthropology, Art, Chinese, English, Fine Arts, French, Health Education, Hebrew, Italian, Media Arts, Music, Performing Arts, Philosophy, Physical Education, Speech, Yiddish, Theater, Spanish, and Sociology. Science courses include Biology, Marine Biology, Psychology, Economics, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Political Science and Urban Affairs.
For a more experiential take on learning, students at CUNY Kingsborough Community College can also participate in various courses and programs that provide an increased measure of experience out in the world, including Field Experience Programs in early childhood education, tourism, mental health and human services, and physical education.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at CUNY Kingsborough Community College.
Students applying to Kingsborough must have their High School Diploma or Original G.E.D. Diploma and scores if they have never taken college courses elsewhere. If they are transferring, the official college transcript must be included as well, but only if a minimum of 24 college credits have already been completed.
International students must submit their Official High School Transcript and their TOEFL score. It is important to make sure that all documents submitted for application have been translated into English.
In addition to diploma and course credits, all incoming students must provide proof of immigration status, if they are non-USA citizens, as well as a proof of immunization.
The average fee for application processing is between $60 and $70. Applicants should be sure to not send cash, but rather, a check or a money order.
Financial Aid
Kingsborough Community College provides a number of options for students seeking financial aid. There is an office of financial aid on campus, and those new students who are unsure how the process works can meet with a counselor at any time to determine their eligibility, learn a bit about taking out loans, and even find out if there are special grants or scholarships that they are eligible for that might deflect the cost of enrollment.
CUNY offers two scholarships in particular to help defer the costs of attending school. There are Vallone Scholarships, which are given to high school graduates who were succeeding academically in high school, with at least a B average and over ten college-oriented classes taken in high school. To receive the scholarship, applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA, and stay enrolled as full-time student. Students do not need to apply separately for the scholarship, as eligibility is determined through viewing a student’s application to attend the school.
For those who cannot manage to acquire enough financial assistance otherwise, Safety Net Scholarships from CUNY will help in providing money for those students who have exhausted their TAP, whose TAP is less tan the maximum in special circumstances, and for part-time students who meet specific standards regarding the Pell grants. Again, this scholarship is determined by admissions officers reading applications, and no additional forms or applications are necessary to qualify.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
CUNY Kingsborough Community College 5176th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best New York scholarships and financial aid
With a private beach, a campus with water views of not one, two, but three different bodies of water, and a cutting-edge campus, students have a lot to take advantage of when attending Kingsborough Community College. Since it is only a two-year school, students are commuters.
Students have access to two gymnasiums and an outdoor pool, as well as to the private beach. Access to the beach is only with a permit which only students and faculty can receive.
Arts lovers will be thrilled with the Leon M. Goldstein Performing Arts Center, as well as the smaller playhouse. There is also a 12,000 square foot conference center on campus, numerous computer labs with enough work stations to diminish any wait time for students, and an art gallery.
Since the marine biology program is so popular and the school enjoys a unique location, there are additional facilities for those studies, including a marina and an aquarium.
With students from all over the world regularly attending, the college is known for having a diverse and international vibe to it, which is also reflected in the numerous student clubs and organizations on campus. From the Arab Culture Club to the Asian Society, it’s easy to learn about other cultures. Other clubs on campus include the Bilingual Club, Hillel, an International Students Union, and a Puerto Rican Students Union.
There is a branch of Phi Theta Kappa, as well as Sigma Alpha Pi. Both DESI and DECA also have branches on campus.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at CUNY Kingsborough Community College?
Men’s Intercollegiate, Women’s Intercollegiate, Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Basketball
Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Racquetball
Men’s Intercollegiate, Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Soccer
Women’s Intercollegiate, Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Softball
Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Table_tennis
Men’s Intercollegiate and Women’s Intercollegiate Track_and_field
Women’s Intercollegiate, Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Volleyball
Local Community
Kingsborough Community College is known for its involvement with the local community of Brooklyn, and a great deal of extracurricular events go out of their way to include not just the student body, but the residents of the neighborhood, too. A number of special concerts are held at the school’s band-shell each year, and they are open to the whole neighborhood. Additionally, when lectures and films are being held on campus during after-school hours, the door is open to the community.
This involvement in Brooklyn beyond just attending classes also bridges over to the experiential learning programs, with a great deal of community service outreach in the neighborhood. A tradition of assistance is a large part of the school, with special programs that provide parents on public assistance the chance to earn a college degree while their children attend school close to the campus.
One of the hits of Kingsborough Community College is its private beach, with views to Manhattan and Coney Island alike.
A popular annual event is the club fair, where all of the different clubs on campus open up booths for new students to explore and find what extracurriculars are a good fit for them.
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Brooklyn, NY 11235-2398
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Brooklyn, NY 11235-2398
p. 718-265-5343
w. www.kbcc.cuny.edu