CUNY Brooklyn College combines exceptional affordability with strong economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the college produces $8,919 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining median debt at just $11,000—significantly below peer institutions—creating sustainable pathways to economic advancement.
Above-average earnings outcomes relative to educational investment
The institution's extraordinary value proposition with minimal net costs and controlled debt levels
Exceptional enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to national peers
Demonstrating excellent ability to convert educational access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisCUNY Brooklyn College delivers strong return on investment through exceptional cost control combined with solid earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $60,752 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 73rd percentile nationally.
Earnings span from $31,888 at the 25th percentile to $87,936 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across programs. The institution generates $8,919 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 83.6th percentile for earnings uplift relative to student demographics.
First-generation and lower-income students seeking quality education with exceptional affordability. CUNY Brooklyn College serves students prioritizing strong outcomes without substantial debt, particularly those interested in psychology, business, or health professions.
The institution's Mobility Engine designation reflects its ability to serve diverse student backgrounds while delivering earnings growth.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Cuny Brooklyn College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/cuny-brooklyn-college/analysis.
Exceptional affordability with mobility outcomes
CUNY Brooklyn College ranks #47 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, placing it at the 97.2nd percentile with exceptional performance. Located in Brooklyn, New York, this large public institution maintains moderate selectivity with a 53.7% admission rate while delivering outstanding affordability outcomes.
Brooklyn College enrolls 56.4% Pell-eligible students and 47.6% first-generation students, demonstrating strong commitment to educational access. The institution leads with affordability performance at the 98.5th percentile, ranking among the highest we track nationally.
Graduates earn $60,752 ten years after enrollment, placing Brooklyn College at the 73rd percentile for long-term earnings. Students achieve $8,919 in earnings beyond expectations relative to similar demographics, ranking at the 83.6th percentile nationally.
This combination of exceptional affordability, strong access, and solid earnings outcomes positions CUNY Brooklyn College as a Mobility Engine institution, where educational opportunity translates into economic advancement for diverse student populations.
CUNY Brooklyn College admits approximately 53.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Brooklyn College in the moderately selective category, providing accessible admission while maintaining academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that Brooklyn College is somewhat more selective than typical public institutions serving similar student populations. This selectivity level represents a balanced approach—accessible enough for students with solid academic preparation while maintaining standards that support student success.
For prospective students, this admission rate suggests that strong but not exceptional academic credentials provide realistic admission chances. Students should approach Brooklyn College as a target school rather than a reach, particularly if their academic profile aligns with the institution's standards.
The moderate selectivity supports the institution's mission of serving first-generation and Pell-eligible students while maintaining academic rigor. Building a balanced college list should include Brooklyn College alongside institutions with both higher and lower admission rates to ensure multiple viable options.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
CUNY Brooklyn College demonstrates exceptional affordability with a published cost of attendance of $13,573 per year, including $7,452 in-state tuition, room and board expenses, and $1,500 for books and supplies. The average student pays just $2,943 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,630 through institutional and federal aid programs.
This net price ranks among the lowest nationally and sits $12,647 below the peer median of $15,590, creating extraordinary value for students and families. The affordability extends across all income levels, with even the highest-income tier paying only $11,670 annually.
Brooklyn College's position within the CUNY system enables this exceptional pricing structure, supported by state funding and institutional commitment to educational access. Compared to similar public institutions serving diverse student populations, Brooklyn College offers substantially lower costs while maintaining academic quality and career outcomes.
This affordability profile supports the institution's mission of serving first-generation and lower-income students, eliminating cost as a barrier to degree completion.
CUNY Brooklyn College graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their career trajectory. Median earnings increase from $45,035 six years after enrollment to $54,349 at eight years and $60,752 at ten years, representing 34.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from 1,833 graduates in the ten-year cohort, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $8,919 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Brooklyn College at the 83.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
This indicates the institution's effectiveness in supporting student success beyond what demographics alone would predict. Low-income graduates earn $47,300, demonstrating meaningful economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Earnings distribution shows significant variation, with graduates at the 75th percentile earning $87,936 compared to $31,888 at the 25th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 22.7% of graduates continue to graduate school, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced study.
Compared to peer institutions with similar student populations, Brooklyn College graduates earn $209 more annually, while maintaining substantially lower debt levels.
Artificial Intelligence.
152 graduates
Algebra and Number Theory.
25 graduates
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist.
80 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
269 graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology.
55 graduates
CUNY Brooklyn College offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Clinical Nutrition ranks #1 nationally, producing 103 graduates with median earnings of $56,144 and a perfect value score of 100.0.
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology also ranks #1 nationally, graduating 80 students with median earnings of $71,855. African-American/Black Studies ranks #10 nationally and #2 in New York, graduating 91 students with median earnings of $48,233.
Adult and Continuing Education ranks #22 nationally and #13 in New York, producing 207 graduates with median earnings of $47,501. Psychology, General represents the institution's largest program by enrollment, graduating 522 students annually with median earnings of $45,718, ranking #66 nationally.
Business Administration and Management graduates 466 students with median earnings of $52,008. These programs demonstrate Brooklyn College's strength across diverse academic fields, with several achieving top national rankings while maintaining substantial enrollment levels.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Montclair State University Higher acceptance rate (33.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 20 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NJ | 87% | $61,415 | Compare |
Manhattanville College Higher acceptance rate (31 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 30 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 85% | $58,832 | Compare |
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania Higher acceptance rate (25.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 99 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PA | 79% | $61,258 | Compare |
Canisius University Higher acceptance rate (28.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 82% | $60,681 | Compare |
York College Of Pennsylvania Higher acceptance rate (40.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 94% | $61,012 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University-Dominguez Hills Similar quality tier (#48 ranked) | CA | 91% | $57,162 | #48 | Compare |
San Francisco State University Similar quality tier (#44 ranked) | CA | 96% | $68,077 | #44 | Compare |
Stony Brook University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#50 ranked) | NY | 49% | $74,502 | #50 | Compare |
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice Similar quality tier in Northeast (#41 ranked) | NY | 57% | $56,195 | #41 | Compare |
University Of California-Santa Barbara Similar quality tier (#51 ranked) | CA | 28% | $74,915 | #51 | Compare |