Accounting at CUNY Hostos Community College

The small sample size here demands caution, but Hostos Community College's accounting program stands out for one clear reason: extraordinarily low debt. At $7,250, graduates carry about half the state median and just a third of what accounting students typically borrow nationally. That's a significant advantage for the 63% of students receiving Pell grants.

The earnings picture is less straightforward. First-year median income of $31,397 trails both the New York median ($33,455) and national benchmarks considerably. However, at the 40th percentile statewide, this program sits squarely in the middle range for New York—not exceptional, but not an outlier either. The 10% earnings growth to $34,662 by year four is modest but steady. Top SUNY community colleges like Niagara and Finger Lakes see graduates earning $5,000-$8,000 more annually, which adds up over a career.

For families prioritizing minimal debt—especially first-generation college students or those with limited financial resources—this represents a viable entry point into accounting. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 is excellent and easily manageable. But if maximizing early career earnings matters more, and your student can access other SUNY community colleges without significant relocation costs, those alternatives deliver noticeably stronger financial outcomes. Given the small sample, verify current graduate outcomes directly with the college before deciding.