Planning processes at City College are designed to support institutional excellence and continuous improvement. By engaging in ongoing cycles of planning, implementation, and evaluation, the college can engage in informed decision-making at all levels and identify priorities for resource allocation.

The City College Strategic Plan 2017-2020 defines the college's strategic goals for institutional improvement over a multi-year period.

The 2016-2025 Educational Master Plan is a foundational document providing data and information about students and programs to support decision-making for instructional programs and support services and planning for facilities and technology needs.

The Master Planning, Assessment, and Resource Oversight Council (MPAROC) is a participatory governance body with broad representation that serves as the college's planning council and oversees processes for Accreditation, Strategic Planning, and Program Review.