CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College vs Stony Brook University: which has better ROI?
Stony Brook University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,136 in 2.9 years versus not at all at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, on median earnings of $74,502 vs $42,306 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | Stony Brook University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,976 | $18,784 |
| Total net cost | $9,952 | $75,136 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,306 | $74,502 |
| Median debt | $7,574 | $18,228 |
| Payback | — | 2.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$131,032 | $447,704 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College or Stony Brook University?
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, at $4,976 a year after aid versus $18,784 — a gap of $13,808 a year, or $65,184 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 Borough of Manhattan Community College or Stony Brook University graduates earn more?
Stony Brook University graduates report a median $74,502 ten years after entry, $32,196 more than the $42,306 at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community 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 Borough of Manhattan Community College or Stony Brook University?
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College: its completers carry a median $7,574 in federal loans versus $18,228 at Stony Brook University, a difference of $10,654. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at Stony Brook University, against 25% at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community 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.