Farmingdale State College vs CUNY York College: which has better ROI?
Farmingdale State College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $43,468 in 2 years versus 2.1 years at CUNY York College, on median earnings of $69,781 vs $56,945 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Farmingdale State College | CUNY York College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,867 | $4,456 |
| Total net cost | $43,468 | $17,824 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,781 | $56,945 |
| Median debt | $14,718 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 2 yrs | 2.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $384,952 | $153,876 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Farmingdale State College or CUNY York College?
CUNY York College, at $4,456 a year after aid versus $10,867 — a gap of $6,411 a year, or $25,644 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Farmingdale State College or CUNY York College graduates earn more?
Farmingdale State College graduates report a median $69,781 ten years after entry, $12,836 more than the $56,945 at CUNY York 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, Farmingdale State College or CUNY York College?
CUNY York College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $14,718 at Farmingdale State College, a difference of $3,718. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at Farmingdale State College, 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.