History at CUNY City College

CUNY City College's history program stands out for two reasons: exceptionally low debt and surprisingly strong mid-career momentum. While first-year earnings of $30,290 trail elite private institutions by significant margins, graduates carry just $11,487 in debt—roughly half the state median and less than a quarter of what most history programs nationally burden students with. That's a 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under five months of gross income.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story. Four years out, median pay jumps to $46,015—a 52% increase that outpaces typical history graduate trajectories. This program ranks in the 60th percentile among New York history programs, placing it above the state median despite serving a predominantly working-class student body (60% receive Pell grants). Yes, Columbia history grads earn $53,828, but they're also likely carrying substantially more debt from a far more expensive institution.

For families concerned about liberal arts affordability, this represents a practical path: minimal debt burden with genuine earning potential by the mid-career mark. The low admission cost of CUNY combined with solid long-term outcomes makes this viable for students who need their bachelor's degree to carry minimal financial risk while keeping graduate school or career pivots financially feasible.