New York University vs CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College: which has better ROI?
New York University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $148,200 in 4.3 years versus not at all at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, on median earnings of $82,509 vs $42,306 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | New York University | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $37,050 | $4,976 |
| Total net cost | $148,200 | $9,952 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,509 | $42,306 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $7,574 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $534,780 | -$131,032 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, New York University or CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College?
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, at $4,976 a year after aid versus $37,050 — a gap of $32,074 a year, or $138,248 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do New York University or CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College graduates earn more?
New York University graduates report a median $82,509 ten years after entry, $40,203 more than the $42,306 at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community 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, New York University or CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College?
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College: its completers carry a median $7,574 in federal loans versus $20,500 at New York University, a difference of $12,926. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
88% of students finish at New York University, against 25% at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community 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.