At $3,486/yr net price, CUNY City College graduates earn $66,039/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $32,039/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,486 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $13,944 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $66,039/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$32,039/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,990 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,579/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,087/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,188/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,487/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,887/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $115,339 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $98,974 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $73,949 | |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Master | $69,338 | $41,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,618 | $13,232 |
| Sustainability Studies. | Master | $68,219 | |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $66,653 | $19,917 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $65,170 | $23,914 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $65,131 | $20,504 |
The Risk Factor
54.7% of students at CUNY City College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
CUNY City College gives you one of the strongest cost-to-earnings ratios you'll find at a four-year public school. You pay a net price under $3,500 a year, carry a median debt of roughly $12,000 when you finish, and land at $66,000 in median earnings a decade out. That debt is low enough to pay off without reshaping your budget, and the New York job market backs up these numbers with real demand for the fields this school feeds.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions leads at $115,339, nearly double the campus median. The engineering track pays well across the board, with Mechanical at $68,618 and Civil at $64,706, though Civil comes with the highest program debt listed near $20,000. Computer Science and Electrical Engineering land in the high $50,000s. These are the degrees that make the math work here.
The main risk is finishing. The 54.70% graduation rate means close to half of students don't complete, and your cheap net price only pays off if you leave with the degree. A 78.60% retention rate tells you the first-year drop-off is real. If you enroll, treat completion as the whole game.
The net price tiers make this an easy financial call for lower-income families. Under $30,000 in household income, you pay about $1,579 a year. Between $48,000 and $75,000, that jumps to $7,188, and above $110,000 it hits $11,887. Even at the top tier, the cost stays modest for a four-year degree.
This school fits you if you're aiming at health, engineering, or computing and you can commit to graduating. If you're undecided or drawn to lower-earning fields not shown here, the strong return concentrates in specific programs, so choose your major with that in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CUNY City College worth the cost?
Yes, CUNY City College offers strong ROI with a net price of just $3,486 per year and graduates earning $66,039 after 10 years. Low debt levels ($11,990 median) make it financially accessible even if graduation rates are modest at 55%.
What are the best paying majors at CUNY City College?
Allied health programs lead with $115,339 median earnings, followed by educational administration at $98,974. Engineering and information science graduates also see strong returns above $70,000.
How much debt do CUNY City College graduates have?
CUNY City College graduates have a median debt of $11,990, which is low compared to most colleges. The combination of affordable tuition and strong financial aid keeps debt manageable for most students.
What is the graduation rate at CUNY City College?
CUNY City College has a 55% graduation rate, which is below average for four-year colleges. However, the low cost means students face less financial risk if they don't complete their degree.