Queens, NY · Private University
Is CUNY Queens College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,763
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,538
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,488
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$61,952
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
4.05x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
60.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$10,298
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$3,830
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
CUNY Queens College graduates earn $17,763 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at CUNY Queens College ranked by graduate earnings
269 graduates
39 graduates
23 graduates
30 graduates
401 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at CUNY Queens College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At CUNY Queens College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $97,630) and the lowest (Design and Applied Arts: $35,392) is $62,238/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $97,630 | 6.3x |
| Mathematics | $63,793 | 4.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $61,899 | 4.0x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $60,508 | 3.9x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $58,541 | 3.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $57,988 | 3.7x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $55,584 | 3.6x |
| Economics | $55,050 | 3.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $53,787 | 3.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $52,478 | 3.4x |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | $52,271 | 3.4x |
| History | $51,989 | 3.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $51,858 | 3.4x |
| Sociology | $50,156 | 3.2x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $49,930 | 3.2x |
| Psychology, General | $48,151 | 3.1x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $47,059 | 3.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $46,933 | 3.0x |
| Biology, General | $46,262 | 3.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,723 | 3.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $45,005 | 2.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $42,932 | 2.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $42,545 | 2.8x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $40,362 | 2.6x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $38,337 | 2.5x |
| Anthropology | $38,056 | 2.5x |
| Design and Applied ArtsLowest | $35,392 | 2.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
CUNY Queens College stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $62,763 10 years after starting, $17,763 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.2 years, faster than most colleges.
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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.