Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at CUNY Queensborough Community College

CUNY Queensborough's liberal arts program starts graduates at just $19,582—well below both national and New York medians—but delivers impressive 76% earnings growth by year four. While this lands the program in the bottom 5th percentile nationally, it performs better within New York, ranking in the 25th percentile among the state's 74 similar programs.

The debt picture offers some relief, with graduates owing $8,450 compared to the $11,000 state median. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, meaning students can theoretically pay off their loans with less than half their first-year salary. However, that low starting salary of under $20,000 means the early years will be financially challenging, even with reasonable debt levels.

The key question is whether that strong earnings trajectory continues beyond year four. At $34,473 by year four, graduates are approaching respectable territory, though still trailing stronger New York programs like Hudson Valley Community College ($28,464 starting) by a significant margin. For families prioritizing affordability and willing to weather very low initial earnings, this program offers a path forward—but parents should prepare for several years of financial support while their child's career gains momentum.