Best Urban Studies/Affairs Degrees in New York by ROI
Colleges in New York ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in New York
3
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$43,609
Across New York programs
Average Annual Cost
$58,929
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
CUNY Queens College
Grad rate: 58.4% |
+$37,156 | $47,410 | $13,643 | $12,201 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
New York University
Grad rate: 87.8% |
-$82,664 | $53,691 | $79,121 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Barnard College
Grad rate: 92.2% |
-$85,322 | $55,821 | $84,023 | $19,000 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Urban Studies/Affairs Degrees by State
Browse Urban Studies/Affairs programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.