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CUNY City College vs St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens: which has better ROI?

Public, New York NY · vs · Private for-profit, Rego Park NY

The verdict

St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $52,630 in 0.9 years versus 0.9 years at CUNY City College, on median earnings of $104,403 vs $66,039 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCUNY City CollegeSt Paul's School of Nursing-Queens
Net price / yr$3,776$26,315
Total net cost$15,104$52,630
Median earnings, 10 yrs$66,039$104,403
Median debt$11,990$25,730
Payback0.9 yrs0.9 yrs
20-year net return$338,476$1,068,230

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

Which is cheaper, CUNY City College or St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens?

CUNY City College, at $3,776 a year after aid versus $26,315 — a gap of $22,539 a year, or $37,526 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 City College or St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens graduates earn more?

St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens graduates report a median $104,403 ten years after entry, $38,364 more than the $66,039 at CUNY City 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 City College or St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens?

CUNY City College: its completers carry a median $11,990 in federal loans versus $25,730 at St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens, a difference of $13,740. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at CUNY City College, against 56% at St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens. 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 City College vs St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens: frequently asked questions

Is CUNY City College or St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens a better value?
St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens. It clears its $52,630 net cost in about 0.9 years versus 0.9 years at CUNY City College, on median earnings of $104,403 vs $66,039 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, CUNY City College or St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens?
CUNY City College: $3,776/yr net price after aid versus $26,315/yr at St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens — a difference of $22,539 a year, or about $37,526 over four years.
Do CUNY City College or St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens graduates earn more?
St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens graduates earn a median $104,403 ten years after entry, versus $66,039 at CUNY City College — a $38,364 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.