College of Staten Island CUNY vs Adelphi University: which has better ROI?
College of Staten Island CUNY has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $22,316 in 4.3 years versus 4.5 years at Adelphi University, on median earnings of $53,501 vs $75,482 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of Staten Island CUNY | Adelphi University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,579 | $30,783 |
| Total net cost | $22,316 | $123,132 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,501 | $75,482 |
| Median debt | $14,350 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 4.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $80,504 | $419,308 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of Staten Island CUNY or Adelphi University?
College of Staten Island CUNY, at $5,579 a year after aid versus $30,783 — a gap of $25,204 a year, or $100,816 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College of Staten Island CUNY or Adelphi University graduates earn more?
Adelphi University graduates report a median $75,482 ten years after entry, $21,981 more than the $53,501 at College of Staten Island CUNY. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, College of Staten Island CUNY or Adelphi University?
College of Staten Island CUNY: its completers carry a median $14,350 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Adelphi University, a difference of $10,650. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at Adelphi University, against 34% at College of Staten Island CUNY. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.