Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians at CUNY New York City College of Technology

CUNY City Tech's Computer Engineering Technology program starts graduates at just $39,744—barely half what students at Rensselaer earn and well below the New York state median of $53,624. At the 25th percentile among New York programs, this program struggles to compete even within its own state. The first-year earnings are troublingly low for a technical bachelor's degree, especially in a high-cost market like Brooklyn.

The silver lining is substantial earnings growth: graduates see their income jump 54% to $61,345 by year four, finally approaching competitive levels. The program also carries minimal debt burden at $12,500—substantially below both the state median ($27,166) and national median ($31,000). For students from low-income families (55% receive Pell grants), this combination of low debt and eventual earnings recovery could work, but only if they can weather those difficult early years on $40,000 in New York City.

The real question is whether families can afford the patience this trajectory requires. Starting salaries this low may force graduates into financial strain or delay major life decisions. If your child can live at home and has other support during those first few years, the minimal debt and eventual earnings rebound create a viable path. But if they need to be financially independent from day one, stronger-performing programs like Farmingdale State College deliver 47% higher starting salaries for similar debt levels.