Computer Programming at CUNY New York City College of Technology

New York's tech scene offers strong opportunities for entry-level programmers, but this Associate's program comes with limited transparency. Based on national benchmarks for similar two-year computer programming degrees, graduates typically earn around $38,000 in their first year—respectable for an Associate's credential and enough to make the estimated $17,750 in debt manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5. The challenge is that these figures tell us what happens at peer institutions nationwide, not specifically what City Tech's graduates experience in Brooklyn's competitive market.

The program serves a predominantly working-class student body (55% receive Pell grants), and City Tech's accessible admissions make it a viable path for students who might not qualify for four-year programs. However, with 415 schools nationwide offering this credential and no reported outcomes data from any of the 11 New York programs, you're essentially betting on whether City Tech's curriculum and placement support match or exceed the national average. In New York's expensive labor market, first-year earnings below $40,000 mean your child will likely need roommates or a long commute.

The fundamental question: can your child leverage City Tech's New York location to beat these national averages, or would they fare better at a program with transparent outcomes? Without school-specific data, you're making this decision blind—consider contacting the department directly for graduate employment rates and starting salaries before committing.