CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice vs CUNY York College: which has better ROI?
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $12,812 in 1.6 years versus 2.1 years at CUNY York College, on median earnings of $56,195 vs $56,945 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | CUNY York College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,203 | $4,456 |
| Total net cost | $12,812 | $17,824 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,195 | $56,945 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 2.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $143,888 | $153,876 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice or CUNY York College?
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, at $3,203 a year after aid versus $4,456 — a gap of $1,253 a year, or $5,012 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 John Jay College of Criminal Justice or CUNY York College graduates earn more?
CUNY York College graduates report a median $56,945 ten years after entry, $750 more than the $56,195 at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. 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 John Jay College of Criminal Justice or CUNY York College?
Completers at both borrow a median $11,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, against 32% at CUNY York 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.