Hospitality Administration/Management at CUNY New York City College of Technology

CUNY City Tech's hospitality program starts graduates at just $25,494—about $9,000 below New York's median for the field and landing in the bottom 5th percentile nationally. That's a challenging first year, though the program does carry one of the lowest debt loads you'll find ($10,500 versus $21,812 statewide). The 44% earnings growth to $36,768 by year four helps close the gap, but even then graduates trail the state median.

Context matters here: 55% of students receive Pell grants, meaning many come from lower-income backgrounds where even modest debt feels heavy. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 beats national standards, and that low debt load means graduates can weather those lean early years without crushing monthly payments. Still, with Cornell graduates in the same city earning $77,803 and even SUNY Plattsburgh graduates at $39,000, the program's 25th percentile state ranking reflects real market disadvantages—likely tied to employer networks and prestige.

For families prioritizing affordability and access, City Tech delivers a hospitality degree without financial catastrophe. But students need clear eyes about the tradeoff: you're exchanging lower upfront costs for significantly lower earning potential in a city where living expenses don't scale down accordingly. If your child is dead-set on hospitality in New York, ensure they have a plan for those difficult first years—roommates, family support, or side income—because the math stays tight even as earnings improve.