CUNY groups its colleges by degree and program offerings. Community Colleges grant Associate Degrees and Certificates. Comprehensive Colleges grant Associate Degrees and Certificates but also Baccalaureate and Masters Degrees. Senior Colleges grant Baccalaureate and Masters Degrees as well as Certificates and Advanced Certificates. Professional and Doctoral Schools grant degrees from the Baccalaureate level through the Doctoral level, as well as Certificates and Advanced Certificates.

The degree and certificate program level offerings for each college and stand alone school are noted as follows: 1-Associate, 2-Baccalaureate, 3-Masters, 4-Doctoral, 5-Certificate, 6-Advanced Certificate.