Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at CUNY Kingsborough Community College

With first-year earnings of $83,306 and just $8,475 in debt, Kingsborough's nursing program delivers exceptional value—though you should know these numbers come from a small graduating class. While the program doesn't quite crack the top tier among New York's 64 nursing programs (it's at the 60th percentile statewide), it substantially outperforms the state median of $73,415 and ranks in the 95th percentile nationally. More impressively, graduates carry about one-third the typical debt burden for nursing programs both nationally and within New York, making this one of the most affordable pathways to strong nursing income in the state.

The modest 9% earnings growth over four years means graduates hit their stride quickly rather than seeing dramatic salary jumps later. For families weighing community college options, this matters: you're getting near-immediate return on a minimal investment. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.10 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about one month of work—a financial position that gives new nurses extraordinary flexibility in choosing first jobs based on mission or experience rather than salary alone.

The small sample size does warrant some caution, but the fundamental math is hard to argue with. If your child can secure admission and you're looking at New York nursing programs, Kingsborough offers a low-risk entry into a profession where the credentials matter more than the college name on the degree.