Civil Engineering at CUNY Graduate School and University Center

Similar civil engineering programs in New York suggest first-year earnings around $72,000—putting this program right at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark. With an estimated debt load of just $18,000, graduates would owe roughly three months' salary, a manageable ratio that's notably lower than both the state and national medians for this field.

The caution here is that these figures are drawn from peer institutions since this specific program has too few graduates to report outcomes independently. That small cohort size matters: it could indicate a newer or smaller program that might not offer the same recruiting connections or alumni network as established engineering schools. The earnings estimate puts it in range with major state universities like Stony Brook, but private institutions like Cornell and NYU report substantially higher starting salaries for their civil engineering grads.

For families focused on keeping debt low while pursuing a solid engineering credential, the estimated financials look promising. However, the lack of program-specific data means you're betting on the strength of the CUNY name and New York's engineering job market rather than proven outcomes from this particular program. Visit campus, ask about industry partnerships and job placement support, and consider whether a smaller cohort means limited resources or more personalized attention.