Landscape Architecture at CUNY Graduate School and University Center

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 suggests a manageable financial picture for this landscape architecture program, though it's worth noting these figures come from national peer programs rather than CUNY's specific outcomes. At an estimated $25,735 in debt against first-year earnings around $52,841, graduates would face roughly half a year's salary in educational debt—a threshold that typically allows for comfortable repayment on a standard 10-year plan.

The challenge here is that landscape architecture is an established field where actual outcomes can vary considerably by program, and CUNY Graduate School suppresses its data due to small graduate cohorts. For comparison, the national landscape architecture market shows relatively tight clustering, with even top-performing programs at the 75th percentile earning just $54,777. This suggests the field itself has defined entry points rather than dramatic variation based on school prestige. The estimated $52,841 aligns precisely with the national median, which could either mean CUNY's program performs at industry standard or simply reflects the limitation of using broad benchmarks.

What matters most is whether your child can leverage New York City's robust landscape architecture market—which includes municipal projects, private development, and urban design firms—while keeping debt close to this estimate. The 38% Pell grant rate suggests CUNY serves students who need affordability, making the estimated debt load particularly relevant. Without school-specific data, look for employment outcomes and industry connections that would justify even this moderate investment.