At $5,436/yr net price, CUNY Kingsborough Community College graduates earn $42,621/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,621/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,436 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,744 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,621/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,621/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 23.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,100 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,565/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,526/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,891/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,468/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,796/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $58,402 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $58,221 | $9,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $32,772 | $7,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $28,236 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $27,048 | $9,315 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $26,739 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $25,194 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $24,615 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,580 | $8,096 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Associate | $22,768 |
The Risk Factor
23.6% of students at CUNY Kingsborough Community College 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
Kingsborough keeps costs low and debt lower, but earnings and completion are the weak points. Median debt of $7,100 is small, and the $5,436 net price is far below most colleges. The problem is what you get for it: median earnings of $42,621 ten years out, and a graduation rate under 24%. That low completion rate is the single biggest financial risk here. If you take on any debt and leave without the associate degree, you get the cost with none of the earnings bump.
The health programs are where the money is. Allied Health and Registered Nursing both land graduates near $58,000, more than $15,000 above the school-wide median and roughly double what the other tracked programs pay. Nursing carries $9,000 in median debt, but the earnings easily cover it. If you come here for a clinical health credential and finish, the return is strong.
The rest is a different story. Criminal Justice grads earn about $32,800, Accounting around $28,200, and Mental and Social Health Services about $27,000. That last one pairs the lowest pay with the highest debt of any listed program at $9,315. Those numbers are close to what a high school graduate might earn, so the payoff for time and money spent is thin.
On price, families earning under $30k pay $4,565, while families over $110k pay $11,796. Every tier stays affordable in absolute terms, so the risk is almost never the sticker price.
This school fits you if you want a nursing or allied health credential and will finish. If you enroll in the lower-paying tracks, or if there's a real chance you won't complete, look harder at the earnings before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CUNY Kingsborough Community College worth the cost?
At $5,436 per year with only $7,100 in typical debt, Kingsborough offers solid value if you complete your degree. The challenge is the 24% graduation rate, meaning most students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at CUNY Kingsborough Community College?
Allied health and nursing programs lead earnings at around $58,000 annually, nearly double the school average of $42,621. Criminal justice and accounting graduates earn significantly less at $32,772 and $28,236 respectively.
How much debt do CUNY Kingsborough Community College graduates have?
Median debt is just $7,100, which is manageable compared to most colleges. The low cost and strong financial aid at CUNY schools keep borrowing minimal.
Do CUNY Kingsborough Community College graduates get good jobs?
Graduates in healthcare fields do well with $58,000+ salaries, but other programs lag behind with earnings in the high $20,000s to low $30,000s. The bigger risk is not graduating at all given the low completion rate.