CUNY City College
New York, New York · Public · 60.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 82/100 · Strong Value
CUNY City College
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,340/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $15,290/yr |
| Average net price | $3,776/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $15,104 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $66,039 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $11,990 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $127 |
| Estimated payback period | 5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 56.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 12,505 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,251 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,990 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,811 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,982 |
| $110,001+ | $12,806 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at CUNY City College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $56,223 | B+ |
| Biology | $63,206 | B |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $45,656 | C |
| Computer Science | $116,238 | A |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $58,063 | B+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,270 | A |
| Economics | $67,679 | A |
| Teacher Education | $55,895 | B+ |
| Electrical Engineering | $97,698 | A |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,414 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at CUNY City College is $7,340/year ($15,290/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $3,776/year, or roughly $15,104 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $1,251/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $12,806/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $11,990 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $127 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $66,039 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.33 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 56.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 62.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 57.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 59.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 60.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 530-730 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 540-700 |
| Enrollment | 12,505 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 60.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $13,231 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY City College (this school) | 82 | $3,776 | $66,039 |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 92 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | 83 | $22,383 | $71,631 |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | 81 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| University of North Florida | 78 | $10,154 | $56,343 |
| University of Vermont | 78 | $19,343 | $62,472 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
CUNY City College delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $3,776 per year ($15,104 over four years), graduates earn a median of $66,039 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $11,990 is very manageable against $66,039 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.