Analysis
Queens College's Management Sciences program costs about $23,000 in debt—a manageable amount for a CUNY education—but similar programs across New York typically produce first-year earnings around $56,000. That places this program squarely in the middle of the state's range, well below what NYU or St. John's graduates command, but roughly in line with other mid-tier options. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under half a year's salary, which is solid territory.
The challenge is more competitive than financial. With nearly half the student body on Pell grants, Queens serves a population that needs career outcomes to justify the investment, and the estimated $56,000 starting point lags the $62,000 national median for this field. Baruch, also in the CUNY system, reports actual earnings of $62,000—suggesting that institutional reputation within management disciplines makes a real difference even among public colleges. Queens students may face steeper networking or credential hurdles in landing the higher-paying analyst or operations roles that drive the field's value.
The debt load won't crush anyone, but parents should verify what career services and employer pipelines exist specifically for this program. If your child can get similar outcomes with a CUNY degree at one-third the debt of private alternatives, that's worth pursuing—just don't expect the salary trajectory that top programs deliver without additional hustle.
Where CUNY Queens College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (17 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,538 | $56,463* | — | $22,789* | — | |
| $60,438 | $102,572* | $129,049 | $17,250* | 0.17 | |
| $50,110 | $82,432* | — | $19,500* | 0.24 | |
| $7,464 | $62,306* | $83,300 | $9,000* | 0.14 | |
| $64,348 | $56,463* | — | $22,250* | 0.39 | |
| $44,405 | $54,855* | — | $26,806* | 0.49 | |
| National Median | — | $62,069* | — | $23,250* | 0.37 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates
Actuaries
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Financial Risk Specialists
Management Analysts
Operations Research Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At CUNY Queens College, approximately 48% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.