Business Administration, Management and Operations at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College's business management associate's degree starts graduates at just $28,526—below both the state median ($29,658) and well below the national average ($33,977). But here's what matters more: earnings jump 35% within four years to $38,636, which actually surpasses New York's median for this program. The debt load is manageable at $8,513, one of the lowest among New York business programs and significantly better than the national median of nearly $14,000.

The value equation depends on your timeline. Students graduate with minimal debt—the 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio means you'd earn about three times what you owe in that first year. By year four, graduates are out-earning peers from most other New York community colleges offering this degree. With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves working-class New Yorkers who need an affordable entry point to business careers.

The initial salary gap is real, and this program won't compete with top earners like Excelsior University grads. But for families prioritizing low debt and steady earnings growth, the trajectory here is more compelling than the starting number suggests. You're essentially trading a lower first-year salary for one of the cheapest business degrees in New York with solid mid-term earning potential.