The same number, when city graduate is in front (2,4)

I believe the answer is:

as many

'the same number' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'when city graduate is in front' is the wordplay.
'when' becomes 'as' (eg 'when I walked' means 'as I walked').
'city' becomes 'ny' (short for New York).
'graduate' becomes 'MA' (abbreviation for Master of Arts).
'is in front' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ny' put after 'ma' is 'many'.
'as'+'many'='AS MANY'

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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