CUNY City College
New York, New York · Public · 60.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 82/100 · Strong Value
CUNY City College scores 82 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale -- a score built on a remarkable cost structure and strong STEM earnings despite significant structural drag from a 56.8% completion rate and 62.4% repayment rate. The earnings premium sub-score is a perfect 100 (raw: 2.055), meaning CUNY City College graduates earn more than twice the premium over comparable non-attendees than the national average. Net price averages $3,776 per year -- with the lowest income bracket paying only $1,251 per year. Computer Science (105 graduates, A grade, $83,258 year-one, $116,238 year-four) and Electrical Engineering (83 graduates, A grade, $78,172 year-one) produce outcomes comparable to selective private universities. Economics (99 graduates, A grade) and Mechanical Engineering (100 graduates, A grade) further anchor the engineering-business core. The completion rate (56.8%) and repayment rate (62.4%) are the two weakest sub-scores; the repayment rate reflects that many borrowers are not reducing principal on their loans, which warrants attention. Pell grant rate of 60.5% reflects a predominantly low-income student body accessing high-value STEM education.
CUNY City College scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
CUNY City College
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $1,251 per year at CUNY City College -- roughly $5,000 over four years if completed. Against $36,800 median 6-year earnings, this is one of the best absolute cost-to-outcome ratios in American higher education for low-income students. A CS or engineering graduate from this bracket invests $5,000 total and earns $83,000 in their first year of work. The completion risk (56.8%) is the primary concern; low-income students who don't complete face debt without credentials.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $6,811 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $9,982 per year. At these levels, City College represents exceptional value for middle-income families whose students complete STEM programs. Even for humanities and social science majors with more modest earnings, the net price is low enough to produce manageable payback periods.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000 or more pay $12,806 per year -- still among the lowest net prices for a four-year institution in New York City. Against the strong engineering and CS outcomes, City College's high-income case is financially compelling for families who prioritize outcome quality and low cost over institutional prestige markers.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science (105 graduates) earns an A grade with one of the most exceptional ROI ratios in the entire CUNY system: $83,258 year-one and $116,238 year-four against only $8,623 in median debt -- a ratio of 0.104. At $3,776 average net price, CS graduates from City College recover their full four-year educational investment within approximately two months of their first paycheck. The combination of low cost and high earnings makes this program a standout case in public higher education nationally.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering (83 graduates) earns an A grade: $78,172 year-one and $97,698 year-four with $13,563 median debt and a ratio of 0.174. New York City's technology and engineering sectors create significant demand for EE graduates, and City College's program has produced engineers for Con Edison, defense contractors, and technology companies for over a century. The four-year trajectory to $98k is consistent with EE career progression in the New York metro market.
Economics
Economics (99 graduates) earns an A grade: $45,556 year-one and $67,679 year-four with only $7,300 in median debt and a ratio of 0.160. The debt figure is extraordinarily low -- lower even than the already-low institutional average -- suggesting that economics graduates borrow minimally or repay quickly. Year-one earnings of $46k are moderate but the four-year trajectory to $68k reflects movement into financial services, consulting, and policy roles in the New York labor market.
Psychology
Psychology (432 graduates) earns a B+ grade: $30,925 year-one and $56,223 year-four with $10,000 median debt and a ratio of 0.323. The B+ grade is strong for psychology nationally, driven by the very low debt level (City College's low cost limits borrowing) and the New York City labor market's ability to absorb psychology graduates in human services, healthcare support, and related fields. The four-year jump to $56k is substantial for a psychology credential.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Drama/Theatre Arts (36 graduates) earns an F grade: $15,098 year-one and $32,769 year-four with $17,739 median debt and a ratio of 1.175. Year-one debt exceeds annual earnings, and the four-year trajectory to $33k is limited. The performing arts labor market in New York City is competitive and produces these results consistently regardless of the institution. At City College's low cost, the absolute financial burden ($17,739 debt) is smaller than at most peer institutions, but the earnings picture is structurally weak for this field.
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 |
At 60.0% admission, City College operates with moderate selectivity in aggregate, but program-specific admission requirements vary. The wide SAT Math range (530-730) reflects diverse program entry standards: engineering programs draw higher-scoring students than open-access CUNY offerings. The 56.8% completion rate is the primary risk metric; students should investigate persistence rates within their specific program, as engineering and CS cohorts likely show different completion patterns than the institutional average.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Scorecard peers include CUNY Baruch College and CUNY Brooklyn College -- within-system peers with similar cost structures and New York City locations. City College's 82 ROI score is comparable to Baruch, which has stronger business program outcomes but weaker STEM depth. Among all public universities nationally, City College's combination of $3,776 net price, 100/100 earnings premium score, and A-grade CS and engineering programs is exceptional. The completion rate and repayment rate are the gaps that prevent a higher overall score.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
CUNY City College admits 60.0% of applicants and enrolls 12,505 students in Harlem, New York City. SAT mid-ranges are 530-730 Math and 540-700 Reading; the wide range reflects an open-access CUNY admission model with varied program entry requirements. Pell grant rate of 60.5% indicates the large majority of students come from low-to-middle income backgrounds. The school has a historically significant engineering and sciences tradition, drawing heavily from New York City's diverse immigrant communities. Students who complete STEM degrees from City College enter New York's technology, engineering, and financial sectors with credentials that command strong salaries.
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.
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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.