Business Administration, Management and Operations at CUNY Kingsborough Community College

Kingsborough's business associate degree starts rough but delivers impressive recovery. First-year earnings of $22,199 rank in just the 5th percentile nationally—that's bottom-tier performance—but by year four, graduates reach $44,387, vaulting past both the national median ($33,977) and New York's state median ($29,658). That 100% earnings growth suggests graduates are using the credential as intended: a stepping stone to better opportunities, not an endpoint.

The modest $8,691 in debt helps considerably here. Even with those weak first-year earnings, the debt burden stays manageable, and graduates who stick it out reach earnings that make repayment straightforward. Within New York's competitive landscape—where programs like Excelsior and Hudson Valley show stronger initial placement—Kingsborough lands in the 25th percentile. That's below average but not disastrous, especially given the program's trajectory over time.

The central question is whether your student can weather that difficult first year. If they need immediate earnings to support themselves or repay loans quickly, this pattern poses real challenges. But for students who can afford to build experience gradually—perhaps working while completing a bachelor's, or climbing from entry-level positions—the four-year outcome demonstrates the degree has value. The low debt makes that patience affordable in a way it wouldn't be at pricier programs.