English Language and Literature at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

Borough of Manhattan Community College's English associate's degree produces first-year earnings of $24,207 while keeping debt remarkably low at $5,700—a combination that makes it a standout value proposition. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 means graduates can realistically pay off their loans in well under a year, which is exceptional for any humanities program. While these earnings match the New York state median for this degree (60th percentile), they exceed national numbers by nearly $2,600, and the program achieves this while charging almost $3,200 less in debt than the national median.

The earnings decline to $21,723 by year four raises questions about career trajectory, but context matters: over half of students here receive Pell grants, and many likely use this associate's degree as a stepping stone to bachelor's programs or immediate workforce entry in New York City's expensive job market. At this debt level, even if your child moves on to further education, they're not starting that journey underwater.

For families worried about humanities degrees becoming financial anchors, this program demonstrates it's possible to explore literature and writing without accumulating crushing debt. The low balance gives graduates flexibility—whether that means transferring to complete a bachelor's degree, pivoting to another field, or entering the workforce without the pressure of large monthly payments.