Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,991/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$31,991/yr |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,584 |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $99,517 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Doctoral | $97,907 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $88,786 | $8,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $80,964 | $23,753 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $76,460 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Doctoral | $75,204 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $70,176 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $69,338 | |
| Psychology, General. | Doctoral | $69,338 | |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | Doctoral | $65,889 |
Analysis
CUNY Graduate School and University Center graduates carry a median debt of $12,584 and earn roughly $66,000 ten years out, which puts you in a repayment position most borrowers would take. The debt is low enough that even middling salaries clear it, and the school's earnings sit above what you'd owe.
Nursing is the clear winner here. You graduate earning close to $89,000 against just $8,000 in debt, the best ratio on the list by a wide margin. In New York City, where hospital demand and pay run high, that credential pays for itself fast.
Business and health administration land in the middle. Business earns around $52,000 against $12,250 in debt, workable but not spectacular. Health and medical administrative services carries the highest debt on the list at $18,000 while paying about $48,000, so your margin is thinner there.
Psychology is the weak spot. You earn around $31,314, the lowest here, and still owe $11,500. That salary barely clears the school's overall debt load and sits below what business or nursing graduates make. If you take this path expecting the degree alone to pay off, plan for graduate school or a specialized track, because the undergraduate number does not support the cost on its own.
This school fits you if you're headed into nursing or a health field, where the New York job market rewards the credential and the debt stays small. It fits less well if psychology is your endpoint and you're borrowing to get there. Check the net price tiers before committing: lower-income families paying reduced net prices see a strong return across most programs, while families paying closer to full price should weigh whether the psychology track justifies the outlay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CUNY Graduate School and University Center worth the money?
CUNY Graduate School offers solid ROI with relatively low debt loads averaging $12,584 and median earnings of $65,991 after 10 years. The value depends heavily on your program choice, with education administration and criminal justice graduates earning significantly more than the overall median.
What are the highest paying programs at CUNY Graduate School and University Center?
Educational Administration and Criminal Justice programs lead with graduates earning around $99,517 and $97,907 respectively. Business and nursing programs also perform well, while other fields may not justify the time investment given the modest overall earnings.
How much student debt do CUNY Graduate School and University Center graduates have?
The median debt is $12,584, which is relatively manageable compared to many graduate programs. This low debt burden makes CUNY Graduate School a reasonable choice even for programs with moderate earning potential.
Should I attend CUNY Graduate School and University Center for graduate school?
If you're pursuing education administration, criminal justice, or nursing, the combination of low debt and strong earnings makes it worthwhile. For other fields, consider whether the $66,000 median salary justifies the opportunity cost of graduate school.