Business/Commerce at CUNY Graduate School and University Center

CUNY Graduate School graduates with business degrees start at $65,520—well above both the national median of $47,506 and New York's median of $53,966. What makes this particularly striking is the debt load: just $14,500 compared to $23,000 statewide and $26,000 nationally. That 0.22 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than three months of earnings, an exceptionally strong position that's rare in higher education.

The one wrinkle is the slight earnings dip to $63,624 by year four, though this modest decline doesn't fundamentally change the value equation. At 60th percentile among New York business programs, these graduates earn more than many private school counterparts while carrying dramatically less debt. The program serves a substantial population of Pell Grant students (38%), suggesting it's delivering strong outcomes without requiring a premium price tag.

For parents worried about their child graduating with manageable debt and solid earning potential, this program checks both boxes. The combination of above-average starting salaries and below-average debt creates a financial cushion that gives graduates flexibility in their career choices and life decisions—something that's worth far more than a few thousand dollars in additional early-career earnings.