Computer Software and Media Applications at CUNY Graduate School and University Center

Based on comparable programs in New York, this degree appears to deliver first-year earnings around $39,582—right at the state median but well below what stronger tech-focused schools achieve. Rochester Institute of Technology graduates in similar programs earn $69,000, nearly double, while even NYU clears $42,000. The estimated $22,750 in debt is actually lower than both state and national benchmarks, which partially offsets the modest earning power.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 suggests manageable repayment—you'd owe roughly half a year's salary, which puts this program in reasonable territory financially. However, "software and media applications" is a broad umbrella that can mean anything from web development to digital media design, and those tracks have vastly different job markets. The relatively low earnings suggest this program may lean more toward creative/media applications than pure software development, where New York salaries typically start much higher.

Here's the practical concern: in a city where tech jobs abound, starting near $40,000 means living with roommates or a long commute. If your child is serious about software engineering specifically, programs with stronger placement records exist in New York. If they're interested in the intersection of creative media and technology, this could work—but verify what specific skills and portfolio work the program actually produces, since those will matter more than the degree itself in this field.