At $2,978/yr net price, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduates earn $75,971/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $41,971/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $2,978 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $11,912 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $75,971/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$41,971/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 72.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,512 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $745/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,640/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,626/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,323/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,757/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $126,504 | $47,411 |
| Real Estate. | Master | $105,245 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $104,192 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $101,518 | $39,380 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $95,828 | |
| International Business. | Master | $94,408 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Master | $86,867 | $19,025 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations. | Master | $82,756 | |
| Statistics. | Master | $81,969 | |
| Taxation. | Master | $79,389 | $16,806 |
The Risk Factor
72.1% of students at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 28% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Baruch College is one of the strongest financial bets in public higher education. You pay a net price under $3,000 a year, graduate with a median debt of about $11,500, and hit median earnings near $76,000 a decade out. That debt is less than three months of that salary. Very few schools return numbers this clean.
The payoff comes from Baruch's location and its business focus. Sitting in Manhattan puts you next to the finance, accounting, and corporate jobs that these programs feed. Accounting, finance, information science, and economics all cluster in the high-$40,000s to low-$50,000s at the entry level, and each carries debt near $11,000 or less. Mathematics leads the reported programs at about $61,000. These are practical majors with clear hiring pipelines in New York.
The main risk is that Baruch's value is tied to career-track majors. The strong earnings here come from business and quantitative fields. If you enroll for a program outside that lane, you lose the built-in advantage that makes Baruch worth it, while still competing in an expensive city job market. The 72% graduation rate and 88% retention are solid, so dropping out is not the primary danger.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $745 a year. Under $48,000, it stays around $2,640. Even at over $110,000, the roughly $12,800 sticker is modest for a degree that pays back this fast. This is a good fit if you want a business or STEM career in the New York region and want to graduate with almost no debt. If you want a small campus, extensive on-campus life, or a field far from Baruch's business core, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CUNY Bernard M Baruch College worth the cost compared to other business schools?
Baruch offers exceptional value with a net price of just $2,978 per year and median earnings of $75,971 after 10 years. The low cost and strong business programs, especially finance and real estate, deliver outstanding ROI that beats most expensive private business schools.
What are the highest paying majors at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College?
Health and Medical Administrative Services leads at $126,504, followed by Real Estate at $105,245 and Information Science at $104,192. Business Administration and Finance also perform well, with graduates earning over $95,000 annually.
How much student debt do CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduates typically have?
Median debt is only $11,512, which is very manageable given the school's low tuition costs. This low debt load combined with strong earning potential makes Baruch one of the best values in higher education.
Does CUNY Bernard M Baruch College have good job prospects after graduation?
With a 72% graduation rate and median earnings of nearly $76,000, Baruch graduates find solid employment opportunities. The school's location in Manhattan and strong business connections help students land jobs in finance and other high-paying fields.