At $4,620/yr net price, CUNY Queensborough Community College graduates earn $44,214/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,214/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,620 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $18,480 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,214/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,214/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 23.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,600 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,622/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,658/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,765/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,484/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,224/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. | Associate | $76,460 | $14,750 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Associate | $30,771 | $6,750 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $28,019 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $26,850 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $26,458 | $6,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,719 | $8,500 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services. | Associate | $22,667 | |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $21,964 | |
| Physical Sciences. | Associate | $21,964 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $21,356 | $10,430 |
The Risk Factor
23.0% of students at CUNY Queensborough 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
Queensborough gives you a low-cost, low-debt entry into higher education, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you finish. At $4,620 a year with median debt under $9,000, your downside risk is small in dollar terms. The bigger risk here is the 23% graduation rate. If you leave without a credential, you've spent time and money for earnings that barely move.
Nursing is the clear winner. The associate nursing program leads to $76,460, more than $30,000 above any other program on this list, and worth the higher $14,750 debt load that comes with it. Everything else pays far less. Allied health sciences, electrical engineering technology, medical assisting, and business administration all land in the $26,000-$31,000 range at the associate level. That's below the school's overall $44,214 median, which tells you the higher earners are pulling that number up while these fields sit near entry-level wages for the New York City area.
The specific financial risk is finishing a non-nursing associate degree and stopping there. At those earnings, an associate in business or medical assisting works best as a step toward a bachelor's, transferring into CUNY's four-year colleges, not as a final destination.
This school fits you if you want nursing, or if you plan to transfer and use Queensborough to knock out cheap credits before a bachelor's. Look elsewhere if you need a two-year credential that pays a strong wage immediately outside of nursing.
The net price tiers stay affordable across incomes. Even at over $110k, you pay $11,224. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $3,622, and the low debt figures suggest that stays manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CUNY Queensborough Community College worth the money?
At $4,620 per year with low debt levels, Queensborough offers decent value if you graduate in nursing or health programs. However, the 23% graduation rate means most students don't finish, making it risky despite the low cost.
What are the highest paying programs at CUNY Queensborough Community College?
Registered nursing graduates earn around $76,460 annually, making it the clear winner for ROI. Other health programs pay around $30,000, while business and engineering technology programs typically lead to earnings in the high $20,000s.
How much debt do CUNY Queensborough Community College students graduate with?
Students who borrow graduate with a median debt of $8,600, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low annual cost of $4,620 helps keep debt minimal for most students.
What is the graduation rate at CUNY Queensborough Community College?
Only 23% of students graduate, which is concerning for ROI. This means three out of four students leave without completing their degree, potentially wasting time and money even at this affordable school.