Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at College of Staten Island CUNY

College of Staten Island's general studies program starts at a concerning $23,549—below both the national and New York medians for similar programs. While it ranks only in the 40th percentile among New York schools (well behind top performers like Maria College at $60,857), there's a crucial twist: earnings nearly double by year four, jumping 89% to $44,425. This dramatic growth trajectory suggests students are using the associate degree as a stepping stone to better-paying positions or further education, though that first year out of school will likely mean financial strain.

The $9,000 debt load is manageable and slightly below state and national averages, which makes the initial earnings dip less painful than it could be. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 means graduates face less than half a year's salary in loans—not terrible, especially given where earnings eventually land. With nearly half the students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves a working-class population that may need time to build careers after graduation.

The verdict depends on your child's plans: if they intend to transfer to a four-year program or are willing to work their way up from an entry-level position, the combination of low debt and strong earnings growth makes this viable. But if they need immediate income after graduation, this program will deliver a rough first year. The four-year earnings are solid, but getting there requires patience and likely additional education.