Architectural Sciences and Technology at CUNY City College

City College's architectural sciences program delivers outcomes that track closely with statewide medians—peer programs in New York typically produce first-year earnings around $50,400, which is exactly where this program lands. The estimated $26,800 in debt falls slightly below both state and national averages for this credential, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53. That's manageable territory: your child would owe roughly half their first-year salary, translating to monthly payments around $300 on a standard plan—feasible on an entry-level architecture salary.

What matters here is recognizing the competitive landscape. The top programs in New York—Syracuse, Pratt, Cornell—are reporting graduates earning $58,000+, a meaningful premium over what comparable programs suggest for City College. Yet those schools typically come with substantially higher debt loads and sticker prices. With 60% of City College students receiving Pell grants, the institution clearly serves a different market and likely keeps total costs lower than private alternatives.

The practical question is whether your child can bridge that earnings gap through internships, portfolio quality, and networking—factors that matter enormously in architecture. If they're paying significantly less to attend City College than they would at Pratt or Syracuse, the modest earnings difference may be worth it. But if costs end up similar after financial aid, the higher-earning programs deserve serious consideration.