CUNY New York City College of Technology
Brooklyn, New York · Public · 80.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 64/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
CUNY New York City College of Technology (City Tech) earns a Fair Value ROI score of 64. The profile includes an exceptional 70% earnings premium over high-school baselines (subscore 95), low median debt of just $10,533 (debt-to-earnings 0.32, subscore 93), and a net price of $5,127. The 4-year published cost is just $20,508. The catch is the 21.5% completion rate (subscore 5), reflecting a heavily working-adult, often-part-time student body for whom completion timelines stretch well beyond the 6-year IPEDS window. Earnings of $32,900 six years out and $49,365 by year 10 are reasonable. Repayment rate is 65.7%. Tuition is $7,332 in-state. The completion risk is real, but it largely reflects the school's nontraditional student body rather than weak academic culture.
How CUNY New York City College of Technology scores under our methodology
These are the College Scorecard measures that pull this school's CampusROI score down. They describe the published figures, not the quality of the education, and they are our reading of the data. Check them against your own aid offer and intended major.
- 6-year graduation rate21.5% - The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our score, since a degree that is not finished rarely pays back.
CUNY New York City College of Technology
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,332/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $15,282/yr |
| Average net price | $5,127/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $20,508 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,365 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $10,533 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $112 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 21.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 13,580 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $7,332/year ($15,282/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $5,127/year, or roughly $20,508 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $3,810/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $13,043/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $10,533, which works out to about $112 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($32,900) and comes to 0.32, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
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 | $3,810 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,606 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,886 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,809 |
| $110,001+ | $13,043 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay just $3,810 net annually. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $4,606. Across four years, low-income students face roughly $15,000-$18,000. Combined with NYS TAP, federal Pell, and CUNY-specific aid, many low-income students attend essentially debt-free.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $7,886, and $75,001-$110,000 climbs to $9,809. Total 4-year cost runs $32,000-$40,000. Middle-income families absorb a larger share of cost. The math works strongly across the middle-income range.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $13,043 net annually, totaling roughly $52,000 across four years - still a fraction of typical private-college costs. Out-of-state full-pay rates run higher at $15,282 sticker tuition.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at CUNY New York City College of Technology with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Information Science | $74,456 | B+ |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $73,336 | A |
| Human Services, General | $56,827 | A |
| Design and Applied Arts | $52,562 | C |
| Hospitality Administration | $50,492 | B |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $65,285 | B+ |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $96,378 | A |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $61,664 | B |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $76,730 | A |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $91,486 | - |
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.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is exceptional with 39 graduates earning an A grade. First-year earnings of $103,611 grow to $109,738 by year four against just $11,800 in debt (0.114 ratio).
Information Science
Information Science is the largest program with 265 graduates, earning a B+ grade. First-year earnings of $45,790 grow to $74,456 by year four against $12,289 in debt (0.268 ratio). NYC's tech-employer ecosystem provides robust placement.
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
Mechanical Engineering Tech graduates 96 students with an A grade. First-year earnings of $48,372 grow to $73,336 by year four against $11,652 in debt (0.241 ratio). NYC's construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors provide strong demand. Solid technical-track value at minimal borrowing scale.
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
Construction Engineering Tech earns an A grade with 78 graduates. First-year earnings of $67,476 grow strongly to $96,378 by year four against $10,900 in debt (0.162 ratio).
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Health Administration graduates 65 students with an A grade. First-year earnings of $63,667 grow to $76,730 by year four against $11,000 in debt (0.173 ratio). The NYC healthcare administrative market is enormous and supports strong placement. Another standout program where the cost-to-outcome math is exceptional.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 59.0% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 65.7% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 50.3% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 57.1% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How CUNY New York City College of Technology’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 80.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 440-570 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 460-570 |
| Enrollment | 13,580 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 55.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,016 |
City Tech's admission rate of 80.3% reflects broad CUNY-system selectivity. SAT mid-ranges are 440-570 math and 460-570 reading. The relatively open admit policy combined with a 21.5% completion rate is partly a function of the school's part-time and working-adult student body. Academic preparation matters, but life circumstances (work, family, immigration adjustment) drive most attrition.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (this school) | 64 | $5,127 | $49,365 |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 92 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | 81 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | 67 | $11,668 | $55,198 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | 67 | $23,331 | $61,258 |
| Wayne State University | 61 | $12,766 | $53,493 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See CUNY New York City College of Technology side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
Enrollment is large at 13,580 students, with a high Pell rate of 55.1% - a heavily working-class student body, with a substantial first-generation immigrant and minority population characteristic of CUNY. City Tech fits New York City residents seeking technical credentials in nursing, engineering technology, IT, construction management, and architectural sciences. The school's program lineup is unusually strong for a regional public, with multiple A-grade programs. Best-fit students are place-bound NYC residents with clear technical-program direction; the math is exceptional for those who finish.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
CUNY New York City College of Technology is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $5,127 a year after aid ($20,508 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $49,365 a decade out, the cost takes about 11.2 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. What to keep an eye on: its 21.5% graduation rate, a three-year loan repayment rate of 65.7% (median across the schools we score: 73.6%).
Median debt of $10,533 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $32,900 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
CUNY New York City College of Technology: Common Questions
Is CUNY New York City College of Technology worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether CUNY New York City College of Technology is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 64/100 on our ROI scale. At $5,127 a year after aid ($20,508 over four years) against $49,365 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 11.2 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does CUNY New York City College of Technology cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $5,127 a year, or roughly $20,508 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do CUNY New York City College of Technology graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $49,365 ten years after enrolling, roughly $7,565 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off CUNY New York City College of Technology?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 11.2 years for CUNY New York City College of Technology. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do CUNY New York City College of Technology graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $10,533, against average earnings of $32,900 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at CUNY New York City College of Technology?
The six-year graduation rate is 21.5%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.