Liberal Arts and Sciences at CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,059/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #22 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $517K $517K $492K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.6x 17.6x 16.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.4x 8.0x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 47 50

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 (8.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,944
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,250
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,617
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

CUNY City College's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $43,059/yr — above the $37,172 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 17.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts and Sciences involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,250 in median debt clears quickly against $43,059 in annual earnings.

CUNY City College ranks #22 among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 22% earnings increase from $43,059 to $52,617 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About CUNY City College

CUNY City College's 58% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, 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

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at CUNY City College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at CUNY City College?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is CUNY City College one of the best schools for Liberal Arts and Sciences?
Among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, CUNY City College's #22 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Liberal Arts and Sciences at CUNY City College?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,360. At a net cost of $13,944, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →