Is CUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community College Worth It?

CUNY Guttman Community College offers weak financial returns despite its low $5,643 annual cost. The 24.8% graduation rate means three-quarters of students leave without completing their degree, creating substantial opportunity costs even at this price point.

Your earning prospects depend entirely on your program choice. Human Services graduates earn $27,669 annually, providing reasonable returns given the school's low cost and typical community college debt loads. Liberal Arts graduates face concerning outcomes at just $16,663 per year, barely above minimum wage in New York City where living costs are extreme.

The school's location creates a fundamental mismatch. New York City's high cost of living makes the Liberal Arts earning outcomes financially unworkable. You would struggle to cover basic expenses on $16,663 annually while carrying even modest student debt.

Guttman works financially for students pursuing Human Services who can complete the program quickly and enter the workforce. The school also serves students planning immediate transfer to four-year CUNY schools, where the low cost provides good value for completing prerequisites.

You should look elsewhere if you're considering Liberal Arts or lack clear career direction. The combination of low graduation rates and weak earning outcomes in most programs creates poor risk-reward actives. Students without strong academic preparation or clear goals face high dropout risk.

The school's 63% financial aid participation rate suggests most students receive some assistance, but this reflects income levels rather than generous aid packages. Focus on completing your program quickly to minimize opportunity costs and avoid accumulating debt that your post-graduation earnings cannot support.