Design and Applied Arts at CUNY Queens College

Queens College's Design and Applied Arts program asks families to accept a difficult first year—graduates earn just $19,349 initially, ranking in the bottom 10% of New York design programs. That's barely above minimum wage in New York City and roughly 40% below the state median for this field. The debt burden of $17,625, while below national averages, still represents nearly a full year's starting salary.

The program's saving grace is remarkable earnings growth: salaries jump to $35,392 by year four, an 83% increase that brings graduates close to state medians. This trajectory suggests many alumni need time to build portfolios and freelance networks before seeing returns on their degree. However, even after this growth, graduates still earn less than those from SUNY schools like Syracuse ($46,181) or Pratt ($36,040), despite Queens College serving a population where 48% receive Pell grants and likely need strong earnings outcomes most.

For families banking on CUNY's affordability to offset the program's weak initial placement, this is a high-risk path. Your child would need either substantial family support during those first lean years or a willingness to work multiple jobs while establishing themselves. If they're exceptionally self-motivated and can leverage New York's design scene during college, the eventual earnings growth might justify the struggle—but many design-focused students would find better value at programs with stronger industry connections from day one.