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CUNY Queens College vs St. John's University-New York: which has better ROI?

Public, Queens NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Queens NY

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

CUNY Queens College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $16,780 in 1.2 years versus 5.7 years at St. John's University-New York, on median earnings of $62,763 vs $69,571 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCUNY Queens CollegeSt. John's University-New York
Net price / yr$4,195$29,999
Total net cost$16,780$119,996
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,763$69,571
Median debt$10,298$25,000
Payback1.2 yrs5.7 yrs
20-year net return$271,280$304,224

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

Which is cheaper, CUNY Queens College or St. John's University-New York?

CUNY Queens College, at $4,195 a year after aid versus $29,999 — a gap of $25,804 a year, or $103,216 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 Queens College or St. John's University-New York graduates earn more?

St. John's University-New York graduates report a median $69,571 ten years after entry, $6,808 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 Queens College or St. John's University-New York?

CUNY Queens College: its completers carry a median $10,298 in federal loans versus $25,000 at St. John's University-New York, a difference of $14,702. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at St. John's University-New York, 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 Queens College vs St. John's University-New York: frequently asked questions

Is CUNY Queens College or St. John's University-New York a better value?
CUNY Queens College. It clears its $16,780 net cost in about 1.2 years versus 5.7 years at St. John's University-New York, on median earnings of $62,763 vs $69,571 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, CUNY Queens College or St. John's University-New York?
CUNY Queens College: $4,195/yr net price after aid versus $29,999/yr at St. John's University-New York — a difference of $25,804 a year, or about $103,216 over four years.
Do CUNY Queens College or St. John's University-New York graduates earn more?
St. John's University-New York graduates earn a median $69,571 ten years after entry, versus $62,763 at CUNY Queens College — a $6,808 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.