Social Sciences at CUNY Queens College

A Social Sciences degree from Queens College appears to track right at the state median for similar programs—$35,772 in first-year earnings based on comparable New York institutions. That puts it squarely in the middle of the pack, below SUNY Old Westbury and John Jay but on par with programs at much pricier schools like NYU. For a CUNY institution serving nearly half Pell-eligible students, matching state averages while keeping costs lower is meaningful.

The estimated $22,116 in debt sits below both state and national norms for this degree, and the 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment. Queens College's lower sticker price clearly shows up here—graduates from peer programs typically face $25,500 in debt nationally. Social Sciences degrees rarely deliver immediate high earnings, but this program appears positioned to avoid the debt trap that undermines their long-term value proposition.

The challenge is that top Social Sciences programs in New York push earnings 15-50% higher, with CUNY's own Graduate School hitting $54,265. But those comparisons matter less if your student can graduate with reasonable debt and use the degree as intended—a foundation for graduate work, public service, or careers where connections and internships matter as much as the credential itself. At this price point, it's a defensible choice if your student has clear post-graduation plans.