New York, NY · Private University
Is CUNY Graduate School and University Center Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$65,991
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,410
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,360
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$61,440
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
4.30x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Median Debt
$12,584
at graduation
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
CUNY Graduate School and University Center graduates earn $20,991 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at CUNY Graduate School and University Center ranked by graduate earnings
201 graduates
32 graduates
80 graduates
67 graduates
36 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at CUNY Graduate School and University Center
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At CUNY Graduate School and University Center, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $102,980) and the lowest (Psychology, General: $41,272) is $61,708/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $102,980 | 6.7x |
| Information Science/Studies(1yr data) | $73,937 | 4.8x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $63,624 | 4.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $61,361 | 4.0x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $58,033 | 3.8x |
| Social Sciences, Other(1yr data) | $54,265 | 3.5x |
| Psychology, GeneralLowest | $41,272 | 2.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
CUNY Graduate School and University Center stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $65,991 10 years after starting, $20,991 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2 years, faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to CUNY Graduate School and University Center?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.