Housing and Human Environments at CUNY New York City College of Technology

CUNY New York City College of Technology's Housing and Human Environments program appears to deliver exceptional value, though confidence in this assessment is limited by small sample sizes that required debt estimation. First-year earnings of $64,192 place graduates in the 95th percentile nationally for this field, more than $25,000 above the typical program outcome of $38,637. Even with an estimated debt load of around $25,683—derived from similar bachelor's programs at CUNY institutions—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 suggests manageable repayment.

What makes this outcome particularly noteworthy is the student population served. With 55% of students receiving Pell grants and a median SAT of 1040, this access-oriented institution is producing earnings that rival or exceed far more selective programs. The 15% earnings growth by year four to $73,904 indicates graduates aren't hitting an early ceiling. For a program with only 24 schools offering it nationwide, the specialized training appears to translate into strong labor market demand in New York City's housing and urban planning sectors.

The caveat: debt figures are estimates because too few students completed this program to allow public reporting of their actual borrowing. This could mean the program is quite small, and individual outcomes may vary more than typical. Parents should verify current enrollment numbers and speak with recent alumni if possible, but the earnings advantage over peer programs suggests this specialized degree opens doors that justify the investment.