Computer Science at CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
89 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
90
Optimistic
89
Base Case
82
Pessimistic
Earnings $83,258/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 32.0x earnings multiple (15.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #14 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $986K $941K $711K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 33.6x 32.0x 24.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 16.1x 15.4x 11.6x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 90 89 82

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (15.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,944
53% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$105,797
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $83,258/yr, edging above the $73,713 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 32.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's typical career paths, with 72% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 28% gap from the optimistic case.

At #14 of 345 nationally, this is a top-5% Computer Science program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $83,258 to $105,797 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About CUNY City College

With a 58% acceptance rate, CUNY City College is moderately selective, enrolling 11,934 students in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City College →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at CUNY City College?
This program scores 89/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Computer Science careers?
With 72% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $710,516 in decade earnings vs $985,544 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes CUNY City College's Computer Science program stand out?
Ranked #14 of 345 programs nationally, CUNY City College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is CUNY City College a hidden gem for Computer Science?
After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below the $29,360 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →