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

A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from CUNY NYC College of Technology comes with minimal debt—just $11,652, far below both state and national medians—but the earnings lag significantly behind alternatives. At $48,372 in the first year, graduates earn roughly $11,000 less than the New York state median and $14,000 below the national average for this degree. Even more concerning, nearby public institutions like Farmingdale State College and SUNY Canton deliver $10,000-plus higher starting salaries, suggesting the location premium of Brooklyn isn't translating into better job prospects.

The earnings trajectory stays relatively flat, growing only 5% to reach about $51,000 by year four. This puts graduates in the bottom 5th percentile nationally for this program—meaning 95% of similar programs produce better earning outcomes. The school serves a predominantly working-class student body (55% receive Pell grants), and the low debt burden matters: graduates face debt payments of just 24% of first-year earnings, making the degree financially manageable even with modest salaries.

For families prioritizing affordability and access over earning potential, this program delivers an engineering credential without crippling debt. But if your student can gain admission to SUNY options like Farmingdale or Alfred—which offer similar tuition rates—those programs provide substantially better returns. The low debt is a genuine advantage, but the earnings gap is too wide to ignore when stronger SUNY alternatives exist within reach.