Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at CUNY New York City College of Technology

City Tech's nursing associate degree carries a debt load of just $9,000—exceptionally low even by national standards where the typical graduate owes $20,751. While first-year earnings estimates hover around $73,000 based on similar New York programs, the real story emerges by year four when graduates hit a median of $92,440. That trajectory, combined with minimal debt, creates one of the most favorable debt-to-earnings pictures you'll find in nursing education.

The catch is that we're working with estimated first-year figures because the graduate sample is too small for the Department of Education to publish. Similar nursing programs in New York typically start graduates around $73,000, but actual outcomes for City Tech could vary. What we do know for certain is that by year four, these graduates are earning well above the state median and approaching what top-tier programs like Helene Fuld produce—and they're doing it with a fraction of the debt burden.

For a family weighing options, the low debt makes this a relatively safe bet. Even if first-year earnings come in below the state median estimate, you're looking at a manageable loan payment that leaves room to build savings. The strong year-four earnings suggest the program credentials graduates for career advancement, and City Tech's 55% Pell grant rate indicates they're practiced at helping students from diverse financial backgrounds navigate nursing education successfully.