College of Staten Island CUNY
College of Staten Island CUNY — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
College of Staten Island CUNY at a Glance
275,000
Prestige & value signals
How to Apply to College of Staten Island CUNY
Official admissions page$65
Testing policy
Is College of Staten Island CUNY Worth It?
College of Staten Island CUNY is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $5,579/year net price and $53,501 median earnings, graduates earn 9.6× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 33% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: College of Staten Island CUNY delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How College of Staten Island CUNY compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 146 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #6 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #13 | College of Staten Island CUNY | 80 | $5,579 | $53,501 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of College of Staten Island CUNY's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in NY.
Best Programs at College of Staten Island CUNY
The highest-earning program at College of Staten Island CUNY is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $89,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Sociology and Anthropology at $26,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from College of Staten Island CUNY earns $89,500, while a Sociology and Anthropology graduate earns $26,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $17,594 in median debt vs. $14,050 for Sociology and Anthropology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $5,579/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $89,500 | $89,500 | $17,594 |
| Engineering, General | $53,000 | $53,000 | N/A |
| Computer Science | $52,300 | $52,300 | $16,933 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $49,300 | $49,300 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $38,200 | $38,200 | $15,000 |
| Social Work | $36,400 | $36,400 | $18,536 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $33,800 | $33,800 | $18,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,200 | $29,200 | $19,000 |
| Economics | $28,400 | $28,400 | $12,358 |
| Psychology, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $15,941 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,500 | $27,500 | $18,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $14,564 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | $26,800 | $26,800 | $14,050 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Staten Island, NY
- Student Body
- 9,657 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $5,579
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,501
- Median Student Debt
- $14,350