Students at CUNY Queens College benefit from exceptional affordability combined with earnings that significantly exceed expectations, creating one of the strongest value propositions among public universities nationwide.
Graduates achieve meaningful financial success while carrying minimal debt, reflecting the institution's unique ability to deliver strong outcomes without financial burden.
Azimuth ranks CUNY Queens College among the top public four-year institutions nationwide for delivering exceptional value to students from diverse backgrounds. Nearly half of all students receive Pell Grants, and 47% are first-generation college students, yet graduates achieve strong long-term earnings that place the institution well above average nationally. The college combines remarkable affordability with solid career outcomes, creating one of the most accessible pathways to economic mobility in the New York metropolitan area.
What makes Queens College particularly compelling is its ability to serve a highly diverse student body while maintaining strong financial returns. Graduates earn a median of $62,763 ten years after enrollment, with earnings that exceed expectations by more than $10,000 compared with similar students at other institutions. This earnings advantage reflects both the college's strategic location in New York's job market and its focus on practical, career-oriented programs that translate directly into employment opportunities.
As a large public college within the CUNY system, Queens College offers the resources and recognition of a major urban institution while maintaining the affordability that makes higher education accessible to working families. For students who want proven outcomes without the financial burden typically associated with strong earnings potential, Queens College represents an exceptional combination of access, affordability, and long-term value.
CUNY Queens College offers a diverse program portfolio that creates multiple pathways to career success, with particular strength in fields that connect directly to New York's job market. Psychology leads in enrollment with 641 graduates and generates the highest aggregate economic return, reflecting both the program's scale and the diverse career opportunities available to graduates in counseling, social services, and related fields. Accounting Technology, with 451 graduates annually, provides a clear professional pathway with solid mid-career earnings around $41,300 and strong employer demand in the metropolitan area.
Computer Science represents the college's highest-earning program, with 272 graduates achieving median earnings of nearly $60,000 ten years out. This reflects both the program's technical rigor and the exceptional demand for computing skills in New York's technology sector. The program's smaller size allows for more individualized attention while still providing substantial industry connections and internship opportunities.
The breadth of Queens College's offerings, from foundational liberal arts programs to specialized professional fields, creates flexibility for students with different interests and career goals. Programs consistently benefit from the college's location within the CUNY system and proximity to diverse employment opportunities, helping explain why graduates across fields achieve earnings that substantially exceed national expectations for similar institutions.
Graduates of CUNY Queens College achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that significantly exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $62,763, with the institution delivering an impressive earnings advantage of more than $10,000 compared with similar students at other institutions. This substantial earnings boost places Queens College well above average nationally for return on investment, reflecting both the strength of its academic programs and the robust employment opportunities available in the New York metropolitan area.
The college's program mix drives much of this success, with Psychology leading in total graduates at 641 students and generating the highest aggregate return despite more modest individual earnings. Accounting Technology produces 451 graduates annually with solid mid-career earnings around $41,308, while Computer Science, though smaller at 272 graduates, delivers the highest individual earnings at nearly $60,000 ten years out. This combination of high-enrollment foundational programs and specialized technical fields creates multiple pathways to career success.
Queens College's location in New York provides graduates access to one of the nation's most diverse and dynamic job markets. The substantial earnings premium that graduates achieve suggests strong employer recognition and network effects that continue to benefit students well into their careers, making the investment in a Queens College education particularly valuable for long-term financial security.
CUNY Queens College stands out as one of the most affordable public institutions in the country, particularly for families across all income levels. Low-income students pay just $1,816 per year after aid, an exceptionally low figure that places the college among the most accessible options nationwide. Middle-income families see annual costs around $7,186, while even high-income families pay only $12,359, making Queens College affordable for virtually any family budget.
The college's debt structure reinforces its commitment to affordability. Typical graduates leave with about $10,298 in federal student loan debt, a remarkably low figure that reflects both the institution's low net prices and students' ability to cover costs through grants, work, and family contributions. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $15,972, also well below national norms for urban institutions. This combination of low sticker prices and minimal borrowing requirements creates a sustainable financial model for families.
What makes Queens College particularly attractive is how manageable the debt burden remains relative to graduate earnings. With median earnings approaching $63,000 ten years after enrollment, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard repayment schedules while building long-term financial security. The college's zero percent default rate demonstrates that graduates successfully manage their modest debt loads, creating a proven track record of financial sustainability for students and families.
Cuny Queens College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
