Plaza College
Plaza College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Plaza College at a Glance
Plaza College is a private for-profit college in Forest Hills, New York.
1916
110 years old
846
36
Identity
Is Plaza College Worth It?
At a value score of 26/100, Plaza College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $31,519 — 41% below average — while paying $19,860/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.5-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 65% graduation rate means roughly 35% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $20,751 representing 66% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Plaza College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Plaza College compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 16 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 | West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown | 34 | $15,520 | $31,912 |
| #2 | InterCoast Colleges-West Covina | 30 | $27,536 | $36,089 |
| #3 | Plaza College | 26 | $19,860 | $31,519 |
| #4 | Western Technical College | 22 | $28,004 | $36,156 |
| #5 | Salem University | 17 | $12,303 | $34,642 |
| #6 | Las Vegas College | 15 | $29,880 | $31,398 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of Plaza College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Plaza College
The highest-earning program at Plaza College is Health and Medical Administrative Services at $36,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $32,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Health and Medical Administrative Services graduate from Plaza College earns $36,500, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $32,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Health and Medical Administrative Services graduates carry $32,714 in median debt vs. $21,702 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,860/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $36,500 | $36,500 | $32,714 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,600 | $32,600 | $21,702 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Forest Hills, NY
- Student Body
- 984 students
- Admission Rate
- 30%
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,860
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $31,519
- Median Student Debt
- $20,751