Finance and Financial Management Services at CUNY York College

A debt load around $19,400 for a finance degree is manageable—similar programs in New York typically saddle graduates with $25,000, so this estimate suggests York is doing something right on the affordability front. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 means you'd owe roughly five months of gross income, which is reasonable territory for a professional degree. Based on comparable New York finance programs, first-year earnings near $51,200 would put graduates right at the state median, though well below what students at Fordham or even SUNY Binghamton can expect.

The challenge is that we're working with estimates here—York's actual graduate outcomes aren't published because too few students complete this program to meet federal reporting thresholds. That small program size could mean limited networking opportunities and campus recruiting compared to larger finance programs. The real test will be whether York's career services can connect graduates to New York's financial sector despite the program's modest scale. With 43% of students receiving Pell grants, York serves a population that often needs those first jobs to materialize quickly.

If your child can graduate near this estimated debt level, the financial math works—but verify the school's actual job placement track record in finance roles before committing. Small programs can offer personalized attention, or they can lack the industry connections that make breaking into competitive finance careers feasible.