CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice vs SUNY Maritime 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 1.9 years at SUNY Maritime College, on median earnings of $56,195 vs $95,951 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | SUNY Maritime College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,203 | $22,367 |
| Total net cost | $12,812 | $89,468 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,195 | $95,951 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 1.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $143,888 | $862,352 |
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 SUNY Maritime College?
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, at $3,203 a year after aid versus $22,367 — a gap of $19,164 a year, or $76,656 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 SUNY Maritime College graduates earn more?
SUNY Maritime College graduates report a median $95,951 ten years after entry, $39,756 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 SUNY Maritime College?
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at SUNY Maritime College, a difference of $12,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at SUNY Maritime College, against 56% at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. 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.