Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies at CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College's Ethnic Studies program starts graduates at modest earnings—$32,000 after a year—but those figures jump 50% to over $48,000 by year four. That trajectory outpaces most programs in this field and suggests graduates are translating their degree into careers with real growth potential. At the 60th percentile among New York programs, Brooklyn College sits comfortably above the state median and performs better than much larger CUNY campuses like City College, though it trails the system's more competitive Hunter and Lehman branches.

The debt picture makes this program particularly appealing: at $14,094, graduates borrow roughly 40% less than typical students in this field. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, most graduates should repay their loans within a year or two of starting work. For a program serving predominantly middle-class and working-class students (56% receive Pell grants), keeping debt this low matters enormously.

The initial earnings lag won't surprise anyone familiar with social sciences and advocacy work, where entry positions rarely pay well. But the sharp upward trajectory—reaching $48,000 by year four—suggests graduates find their footing in education, nonprofit management, or related fields where experience commands better compensation. If your child is genuinely passionate about this field and willing to navigate lean early years, Brooklyn College offers one of the more financially sensible paths into it.