Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

College of Staten Island CUNY vs SUNY Old Westbury: which has better ROI?

Public, Staten Island NY · vs · Public, Old Westbury NY

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

College of Staten Island CUNY has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $22,316 in 4.3 years versus 4.4 years at SUNY Old Westbury, on median earnings of $53,501 vs $58,526 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureCollege of Staten Island CUNYSUNY Old Westbury
Net price / yr$5,579$11,282
Total net cost$22,316$45,128
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,501$58,526
Median debt$14,350$14,997
Payback4.3 yrs4.4 yrs
20-year net return$80,504$158,192

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, College of Staten Island CUNY or SUNY Old Westbury?

College of Staten Island CUNY, at $5,579 a year after aid versus $11,282 — a gap of $5,703 a year, or $22,812 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 SUNY Old Westbury graduates earn more?

SUNY Old Westbury graduates report a median $58,526 ten years after entry, $5,025 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 SUNY Old Westbury?

College of Staten Island CUNY: its completers carry a median $14,350 in federal loans versus $14,997 at SUNY Old Westbury, a difference of $647. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

45% of students finish at SUNY Old Westbury, 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.

College of Staten Island CUNY vs SUNY Old Westbury: frequently asked questions

Is College of Staten Island CUNY or SUNY Old Westbury a better value?
College of Staten Island CUNY. It clears its $22,316 net cost in about 4.3 years versus 4.4 years at SUNY Old Westbury, on median earnings of $53,501 vs $58,526 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, College of Staten Island CUNY or SUNY Old Westbury?
College of Staten Island CUNY: $5,579/yr net price after aid versus $11,282/yr at SUNY Old Westbury — a difference of $5,703 a year, or about $22,812 over four years.
Do College of Staten Island CUNY or SUNY Old Westbury graduates earn more?
SUNY Old Westbury graduates earn a median $58,526 ten years after entry, versus $53,501 at College of Staten Island CUNY — a $5,025 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.