Hospitality Administration/Management at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

LaGuardia's hospitality program starts graduates at $27,000—below both state and national medians—but the trajectory tells a more interesting story. Four years out, earnings climb 32% to nearly $36,000, showing the kind of upward mobility that matters in hospitality careers. The real advantage here is financial: at just $5,461 in median debt (versus $22,504 statewide), graduates owe roughly two months' salary rather than eight. That's transformational for a program serving a heavily Pell-eligible population.

The earnings lag behind top programs like Monroe Community College's $32,000 starting point, and LaGuardia ranks at the 40th percentile within New York's competitive hospitality landscape. But context matters—this is an expensive market where entry-level hospitality roles often start low regardless of program quality. The stronger year-four earnings suggest graduates are successfully moving into supervisory or specialized roles where associate degrees provide advancement opportunities.

For families watching every dollar, the math here works. Your child graduates with minimal debt and genuine room for earnings growth in an industry that values experience and hustle alongside credentials. If they're committed to hospitality and want to start working quickly without crushing debt, this program delivers practical value even if it doesn't lead the state rankings.