The City College of the City University of New York (City College of New York, or simply City College, CCNY, or City) is a public college of the City University of New York (CUNY) system in New York City. The institution was founded in 1847. It was the first free public institution of higher education in the United States. It is the oldest of CUNY's 24 institutions of higher learning. It is considered its flagship college.