CUNY Queens College
#1 Most Affordable Colleges for Education- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $62,763 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $4,195 A
- 76% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 64% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A A- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 105.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $105.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Most Affordable Colleges for Education.
Every $1 spent returns $105.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,744,798.
What The Data Says
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An A- overall — top 14% of all U.S. colleges on measured outcomes.
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Graduates earn 54% more than the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 7.14% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $105.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why CUNY Queens College Matters
CUNY Queens College is a public university in Queens, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 12,550
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Psychology, Education, Social Sciences, Business & Marketing
Why students choose CUNY Queens College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 64% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1010–1290. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $4,195 a year after grants and scholarships — 76% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $62,763 ten years after enrolling — 54% above the typical college, against $10,298 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 7.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 1% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.82 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 12,500 students, CUNY Queens College is a solid option for those looking to dive into fields like Psychology, Business & Marketing, or Education. The acceptance rate of 64% means it's accessible for many, while the diverse programs cater to a wide range of interests. This school feels particularly suited for students who appreciate a vibrant, urban setting and want to engage in social sciences or technology.
Looking at what happens after graduation, the 10-year earnings average stands at $62,763. That’s a decent figure, especially considering the affordable education here. Many students find their way into fulfilling careers without the crushing debt that can often come with higher education. The affordability is underscored by the net price of $4,195, which is quite manageable for many families, particularly when you consider that 47% of students receive Pell Grants.
When it comes to the practicalities, the median debt load is $10,298, which is relatively low compared to national averages. This makes CUNY Queens College an appealing choice for students who want to minimize financial burdens while pursuing their education. Those who thrive here often come from diverse backgrounds and are looking for a supportive environment that emphasizes community and engagement.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective CUNY Queens College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into CUNY Queens College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Queens, New York, CUNY Queens College offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 64% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,120. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- SAT Average
- 1120
- SAT Range
- 1010–1290
- Full-Time Faculty
- 42%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,204
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.76
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
- Applicants
- 22,324
- Admitted
- 15,510
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend CUNY Queens College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at CUNY Queens College is $15,488, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $4,195. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,541 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,298 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,538
- Out-of-State
- $15,488
- Avg Net Price
- $4,195
- Median Debt
- $10,298
- Pell Grant Rate
- 47%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 8%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $1,541
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $3,133
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $6,785
- Family Income $110K+
- $12,700
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at CUNY Queens College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is CUNY Queens College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of CUNY Queens College earn a median of $62,763, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,548
- 8 Years
- $55,518
- 10 Years
- $62,763
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.16x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (389)
- 26%
- 100% (389)
- 26%
- 100% (389)
- 26%
- 100% (389)
- 26%
How CUNY Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is CUNY Queens College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, CUNY Queens College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $4,195/year ($16,780 total). Graduates earn $62,763 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,761,578 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,744,798 (105.0× your investment). The median debt is $10,298, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $16,780
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,761,578
- Net Return
- $1,744,798
- ROI Multiple
- 105.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $4,195
- Median Debt
- $10,298
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does CUNY Queens College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
CUNY Queens College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 7.14%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 20.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 35.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 7.14%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 35.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 20.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $86,003
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $34,006
Top Programs
The fields CUNY Queens College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Psychology 20% $35,651 early-career
- Education 15% $49,387 early-career
- Social Sciences 15% $45,495 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $49,082 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 11% $71,141 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7% $28,100 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3% $28,100 early-career
- English & Literature 3% $33,335 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for CUNY Queens College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into CUNY Queens College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Queens, New York, CUNY Queens College offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 64% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,120. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend CUNY Queens College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at CUNY Queens College is $15,488, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $4,195. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,541 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,298 in federal student loans.
Is CUNY Queens College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of CUNY Queens College earn a median of $62,763, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does CUNY Queens College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
CUNY Queens College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 7.14%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 20.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 35.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is CUNY Queens College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at CUNY Queens College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to CUNY Queens College.
- CUNY City CollegeNew York, NY · Close peer56% grad $66,039 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, NY · Close peer55% grad $60,752 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, NY · Close peer59% grad $63,163 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York, NY · Close peer56% grad $56,195 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- CUNY Lehman CollegeBronx, NY · Close peer50% grad $58,013 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA · Close peer55% grad $59,977 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is CUNY Queens College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at CUNY Queens College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note