Analysis
With limited graduate data making estimates necessary, this CUNY program appears positioned in the middle of New York's real estate landscape. Based on comparable bachelor's programs in the state, graduates typically earn around $59,400 in their first year—matching the state median but falling well short of NYU's $74,900. The estimated debt load of $21,400 produces a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning roughly four months of gross pay to cover total borrowing.
What makes interpretation difficult here is the wide variation among New York real estate programs. The gap between NYU's outcomes and Baruch's $42,900 suggests that institutional brand and network matter enormously in this field, where connections often drive early opportunities. CUNY's Graduate School location in Manhattan could provide geographic advantages for internships and entry-level positions, but without actual graduate outcomes, it's unclear whether this program leverages those opportunities effectively or merely borrows the median from its peer schools.
For families deciding now, understand you're betting on a program without a proven track record at this institution. The debt level isn't alarming, but you're essentially paying $21,000 based on how other New York real estate programs perform rather than evidence from this specific degree. If your student has clear real estate career goals and CUNY's cost fits your budget, the risk is measured. But if they're exploring options, programs with reported outcomes would remove the guesswork about whether this investment pays off.
Where CUNY Graduate School and University Center Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all real estate bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Real Estate bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (5 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,410 | $59,396* | — | $21,353* | — | |
| $60,438 | $74,912* | — | $20,500* | 0.27 | |
| $63,061 | $59,396* | — | —* | — | |
| $7,464 | $42,920* | $54,057 | $15,500* | 0.36 | |
| National Median | — | $54,665* | — | $21,126* | 0.39 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with real estate graduates
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
Real Estate Brokers
Real Estate Sales Agents
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At CUNY Graduate School and University Center, approximately 38% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.