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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College vs CUNY Queens College: which has better ROI?

Public, New York NY · vs · Public, Queens NY

The verdict

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $12,132 in 0.4 years versus 1.2 years at CUNY Queens College, on median earnings of $75,971 vs $62,763 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeCUNY Queens College
Net price / yr$3,033$4,195
Total net cost$12,132$16,780
Median earnings, 10 yrs$75,971$62,763
Median debt$11,512$10,298
Payback0.4 yrs1.2 yrs
20-year net return$540,088$271,280

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

Which is cheaper, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College or CUNY Queens College?

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, at $3,033 a year after aid versus $4,195 — a gap of $1,162 a year, or $4,648 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do CUNY Bernard M Baruch College or CUNY Queens College graduates earn more?

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduates report a median $75,971 ten years after entry, $13,208 more than the $62,763 at CUNY Queens College. 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, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College or CUNY Queens College?

CUNY Queens College: its completers carry a median $10,298 in federal loans versus $11,512 at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, a difference of $1,214. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, against 53% at CUNY Queens College. 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.

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College vs CUNY Queens College: frequently asked questions

Is CUNY Bernard M Baruch College or CUNY Queens College a better value?
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College. It clears its $12,132 net cost in about 0.4 years versus 1.2 years at CUNY Queens College, on median earnings of $75,971 vs $62,763 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College or CUNY Queens College?
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College: $3,033/yr net price after aid versus $4,195/yr at CUNY Queens College — a difference of $1,162 a year, or about $4,648 over four years.
Do CUNY Bernard M Baruch College or CUNY Queens College graduates earn more?
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduates earn a median $75,971 ten years after entry, versus $62,763 at CUNY Queens College — a $13,208 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.