Bachelor's · Brooklyn, New York

Is Computer Software and Media Applications at CUNY New York City College of Technology worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Graduates typically don't earn back the cost within 20 years, compared with the no-degree baseline.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$35,969
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
Not enough graduates to report
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
Not enough borrowers to report
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$13k (likely $12k – $17k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
−$192 a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in NY
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
Not within 20 years in most scenarios
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
−$188k (likely −$267k – −$101k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
−$186k (likely −$328k – −$20k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
19%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Computer Software and Media Applications at other schools

💻 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward computers & coding majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP Computer Science Principles
  • AP Computer Science A
  • AP Precalculus
  • AP Calculus AB or BC

IB Higher Level

  • Computer Science HL
  • Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.