Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 suggests manageable repayment, but the numbers behind it tell a more sobering story. Similar social sciences programs in New York produce first-year earnings around $35,600—well below what graduates at NYU ($49,000) or Manhattan University ($41,000) are seeing. With an estimated $24,400 in debt, graduates would be committing roughly two-thirds of their first year's salary to loan obligations, a tight squeeze in one of the nation's most expensive cities.
The estimated earnings here align almost exactly with New York's state median for social sciences bachelor's programs, meaning this isn't an outlier—it's typical for the field in this region. What's less typical is attending a school that primarily serves graduate students (38% of undergrads receive Pell grants, suggesting this bachelor's program exists but isn't the institution's focus). The selectivity (39% admission rate) doesn't translate into premium outcomes compared to peer programs statewide.
For parents, the question is whether this particular pathway justifies near-median debt for median outcomes when other CUNY schools might offer the same credential with less borrowing. The data limitations here mean you're flying somewhat blind on this specific program's track record. If social sciences is the goal and CUNY is the choice, verify how this school's undergraduate resources and career support compare to larger CUNY campuses with established bachelor's programs and reported outcomes.
Where CUNY Graduate School and University Center Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all social sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Social Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (35 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York | $7,410 | $35,607* | — | $24,423* | — |
 New York UniversityNew York | $60,438 | $49,016* | $64,549 | $27,000* | 0.55 |
 Manhattan UniversityRiverdale | $50,850 | $41,062* | $85,294 | $26,080* | 0.64 |
 Touro UniversityNew York | $21,810 | $40,111* | $38,937 | $33,937* | 0.85 |
 Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry | $22,106 | $36,726* | $36,556 | $26,978* | 0.73 |
 St. Joseph's University-New YorkBrooklyn | $34,535 | $34,488* | $45,948 | $24,500* | 0.71 |
| National Median | — | $37,459* | — | $25,500* | 0.68 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Sociologists
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Survey Researchers
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
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 8 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.