At $3,830/yr net price, CUNY Queens College graduates earn $62,763/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,763/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,830 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $15,320 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,763/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,763/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,298 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,816/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,530/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,186/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,157/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,359/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $107,163 | |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Certificate | $71,015 | |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $68,666 | $19,526 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $67,765 | $19,100 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $65,797 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $65,131 | $21,433 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $63,005 | $33,941 |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education. | Certificate | $61,516 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $59,873 | $10,301 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $58,221 | $14,925 |
The Risk Factor
60.2% of students at CUNY Queens College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
CUNY Queens College is one of the cheapest paths to a bachelor's degree in the New York metro area, and the debt numbers back that up. You borrow about the price of a used car and walk out earning a median that clears $60k a decade later. For a public school this close to Manhattan's job market, that's a strong return on a small bet.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. Computer Science is the clear winner: you earn roughly $18,000 more per year than a History graduate while carrying about the same debt. Accounting and Finance land in the low $40k range, which is solid for the cost but nowhere near the CS number. History pays the least of the top programs and comes with more debt than CS, so treat it as a passion choice, not a money one. Teacher Education carries the highest debt of these programs and pays under $42k, so the margin there is thin.
The main risk here is finishing. Six in ten graduate and about a fifth of your class won't return after year one. If you leave with debt and no degree, the low cost stops helping you. Queens is a commuter school, so life outside class can pull you off track.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. If your family earns under $30k, you pay under $2,000 a year. over $110k, you pay roughly $12,000. Even at the top tier, the total four-year cost stays below a single year at many private schools.
This is a good fit if you're a New York area resident who wants a low-debt degree and can commit to a marketable major like CS, accounting, or finance. Look elsewhere if you need a residential campus experience or you're drawn to the lower-paying programs and can find them cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CUNY Queens College worth the cost?
Yes, Queens College offers strong value with a low net price of $3,830 per year and median debt under $11,000. Graduates earn $62,763 annually after 10 years, making it one of the better financial investments among public colleges.
What are the best paying majors at CUNY Queens College?
Educational Administration leads with $107,163 average earnings, while teaching programs in English/French as a Second Language earn around $68,000-71,000. Most education-focused programs at Queens College show solid returns given the low cost of attendance.
How much debt do CUNY Queens College graduates have?
The median debt is only $10,298, well below the national average. Combined with the low annual cost of $3,830, most students can graduate with minimal debt burden.
Does CUNY Queens College have good job outcomes?
The 60% graduation rate is concerning, meaning 4 in 10 students don't finish. However, those who do graduate earn decent salaries relative to what they paid for their education.