CUNY City College ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
Quick answer
USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at CUNY City College costs about $29,360 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $46,435 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 2.6 years (20-year ROI: 679%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$29,360
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$11,435/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
679%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, City College alumni earn a median of $42,637, which is over five times the annual in-state tuition cost of $7,340. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $46,435, and after ten years, earnings reach $66,039. The median debt for graduates is $11,990, and 7.5% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for City College graduates is favorable. The median debt of $11,990 is less than one-third of the one-year post-graduation earnings of $42,637.
Given the median debt of $11,990 and the one-year earnings of $42,637, a graduate could pay off their debt in less than a year, assuming no other expenses.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$7,340
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,990
Median Earnings (5yr)
$46,435
Graduation Rate
57%
Receive Financial Aid
8%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.