Physical Sciences at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

LaGuardia's Physical Sciences associate degree starts at a troublingly low $19,815 one year after graduation—well below both the national median of $26,948 and the New York state median of $25,084. That first-year figure ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs produce better immediate outcomes. Even within New York's community college system, this trails programs at Medgar Evers, Borough of Manhattan, and Queensborough by significant margins.

The saving grace is dramatic earnings growth: graduates see an 82% jump to $36,136 by year four, ultimately surpassing both state and national benchmarks. That trajectory suggests students may be starting in lower-wage lab technician or research assistant roles before moving into better positions. The modest $7,500 debt load helps—it's actually below average and translates to a manageable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio even with that weak first year.

The real question is whether your student can weather that initial earnings dip. For students with family support or those who can work part-time while building experience, this could work as a stepping stone. But if your child needs immediate income after graduation to support themselves, the first-year earnings gap compared to peer CUNY programs is significant enough to consider alternatives. The eventual payoff is real, but the path there requires financial cushion.