Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
CUNY City College graduates experience steady earnings growth throughout their early careers. Median earnings increase from $46,435 six years after enrollment to $55,183 at eight years and $66,039 at ten years, representing robust 42.2% growth from the six-year measurement point.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings align with peer institutions — outcomes are in line with similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $11,990 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
CUNY City College graduates carry remarkably low debt burdens with a median of $11,990, well below the peer median of $20,000. Debt levels range from $4,058 at the 25th percentile to $18,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating controlled borrowing across the student population.
CUNY City College ranks at the 82.6th percentile for return on investment, reflecting well above average performance in converting educational investment into long-term earnings. Graduates earn $13,211 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the institution at the 89.4th percentile for value-added performance.
Approximately 20.1% of CUNY City College graduates continue to graduate or professional study based on program mix analysis, with high confidence in t...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Engineering and technology programs drive the strongest individual earnings outcomes, with Computer Science producing $85,603 median earnings, Mechanical Engineering generating $84,427, and Civil Engineering delivering $81,836. However, Biology demonstrates exceptional value at $66,075 with the largest cohort of 248 graduates and perfect value score, reflecting strong preparation for both career entry and graduate study.
Programs span a wide earnings range, from Art History at $38,137 to top engineering programs above $80,000, enabling diverse student interests while maintaining institutional commitment to career preparation. The variation in program-level outcomes contributes to the institution's overall return performance by providing multiple pathways to economic advancement.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation that supports diverse career pathways and mobility potential. The distribution spans from $37,225 at the 25th percentile to $91,371 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.5:1 ratio that reflects program diversity and individual career choices.
