Music at CUNY City College

City College's music program produces graduates earning just $19,145 in their first year—below both the state median ($20,334) and well below the national benchmark of $26,036. At the 17th percentile nationally, this ranks among the lowest-earning music programs in the country. The $20,000 debt load is actually lower than typical for music degrees, but when you're earning under $20,000 annually, even modest debt becomes a burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.04 means graduates owe more than they'll earn in their entire first year.

The stark comparison to other New York programs reveals the challenge: Hunter College music graduates earn $33,384—nearly 75% more—while even NYU, despite its higher tuition, produces better first-year outcomes at $24,398. City College does serve a predominantly working-class student body (60% receive Pell grants), and the low admission selectivity suggests it provides access for students who might not have other options. But access alone doesn't justify outcomes this far below peers.

For parents, this requires an honest conversation about post-graduation plans. If your child needs a performance degree to pursue their passion and City College's low tuition makes it financially feasible with minimal borrowing, it might work. But if they're expecting music to be a viable career path immediately after graduation, these numbers show that's unlikely—and there are better-performing programs within the CUNY system itself.