At $5,115/yr net price, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates earn $53,501/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,501/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,115 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $20,460 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,501/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,501/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,350 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,243/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,835/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,696/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,515/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,557/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $109,286 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $94,579 | $20,084 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $66,104 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $61,888 | $18,524 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $59,948 | $17,750 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $59,350 | |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $56,776 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $54,713 | $17,148 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $53,775 | $31,000 |
The Risk Factor
32.8% of students at College of Staten Island CUNY graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The College of Staten Island gives you a strong financial deal on cost, but the payoff depends heavily on what you study. At just over $5,000 a year net, with median debt around $14,000, you graduate owing less than one year's earnings. That's a low-risk price tag for a CUNY school in a high-cost region.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing pays about $94,000 ten years out, nearly double the school's overall median, and it feeds directly into New York City's hospital system where demand is constant. Computer science, engineering, and clinical lab science all clear $56,000 and beat the school median. These are the programs that turn the low net price into a real return.
The overall median earnings of $53,501 sit below what a strong technical or health degree here produces, which tells you the softer majors drag the average down. If you enroll without a plan pointing toward nursing, engineering, computing, or lab science, you land closer to that median, and the payoff gets thin.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. A 33% graduation rate means most people who start do not finish on time, and debt without a degree is the worst outcome. The 76% retention rate says the first year holds up reasonably, so the drop-off comes later. Treat completion as the thing to protect.
On price, families earning under $30,000 pay around $3,200 a year, and even households over $110,000 pay about $12,500 net. Both tiers are cheap for a New York degree. This school fits you if you commute, target a technical or health credential, and stay on track to graduate. If you want a residential experience or you are unsure of a major, the low cost won't rescue a degree that doesn't finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of Staten Island CUNY worth the cost?
At $5,115 per year with graduates earning $53,501 after 10 years, CSI offers solid value for the price. However, the 33% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly reduces ROI for those who leave without a degree.
What are the best paying programs at College of Staten Island CUNY?
Educational Administration graduates earn around $109,286 annually, while nursing programs lead to $94,579 salaries. These programs justify the investment, unlike general education or liberal arts tracks that may not provide strong financial returns.
How much debt do College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have?
CSI graduates typically leave with $14,350 in debt, which is manageable given the low tuition costs. This debt level is reasonable for most career paths, especially in higher-paying fields like nursing or education administration.
Should I attend College of Staten Island CUNY for teacher education?
CSI's teacher education programs lead to starting salaries around $66,104, which provides decent ROI given the low cost. However, the school's low graduation rate suggests you need strong self-discipline to complete the program successfully.