At $2,446/yr net price, CUNY Hunter College graduates earn $63,163/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $29,163/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $2,446 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $9,784 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,163/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,163/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $262/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,264/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,457/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,551/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,135/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $114,807 | $20,500 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $111,673 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $94,255 | $12,500 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Certificate | $86,867 | |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education. | Certificate | $81,702 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $78,971 | $54,600 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $71,015 | |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $68,296 | $25,625 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $68,219 | $41,000 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | Certificate | $67,660 |
The Risk Factor
61.0% of students at CUNY Hunter College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 39% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Hunter College gives you one of the strongest cost-to-earnings ratios you'll find in a four-year public school. You'll pay almost nothing to attend, carry very little debt, and land in the low-to-mid five figures a decade out. That combination makes the financial risk here unusually low.
The clear winner is nursing. A Hunter nursing degree pays roughly $94,000 ten years out against about $12,500 in debt, which is nearly double what a computer science graduate here earns. If you know you want nursing, this is one of the best financial bets available to you anywhere.
The rest of the picture is more modest. Computer science, clinical lab science, and teacher education all land around $55,000, which is solid but not remarkable for New York City's cost of living. Mathematics is the weak spot at roughly $40,000, and teacher education carries the highest debt on this list, so the payoff there is thinner than the sticker earnings suggest. Outside nursing, expect a steady middle-class return, not a windfall.
Your main risk is completion. About four in ten students don't graduate within the measured window, and one in five don't return after the first year. Low debt only protects you if you finish. leaving with credits and no degree wipes out the value.
The net price tiers make this an easy call if your family earns under $48,000, where you'll pay a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars a year. Even at over $110,000 in income, the price stays close to $12,000. Hunter fits you if you're cost-conscious, especially heading into nursing or a healthcare field. If you're chasing high earnings from math or a general major, the return here is fine but nothing to bank on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CUNY Hunter College worth the cost?
Hunter College offers strong ROI with a net price of just $2,446 per year and median earnings of $63,163 after 10 years. The low cost and minimal debt (median $11,000) make it financially accessible, though the 61% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at CUNY Hunter College?
Nursing programs at Hunter lead to the highest earnings, with some graduates earning over $114,000 annually. Educational administration ($111,673) and teaching English as a second language ($86,867) also pay well above the school average.
How much student debt do CUNY Hunter College graduates have?
Hunter graduates typically leave with just $11,000 in debt, well below national averages. The low tuition and strong financial aid make this one of the most affordable paths to a bachelor's degree in New York.
Does CUNY Hunter College have good job prospects after graduation?
Hunter graduates earn $63,163 on average 10 years after graduation, which is solid given the minimal cost and debt. However, nearly 40% of students don't graduate, so success depends heavily on completing the degree.