Ethnic & Cultural Studies at CUNY City College
New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,973/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market
Small (8,000 openings/yr)
ROI
16.8x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Ethnic & Cultural Studies graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $494K | $494K | $460K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.8x | 16.8x | 15.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 8.1x | 8.1x | 7.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 41% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 28 | 28 | 23 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (8.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,739
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,881
63% growth from Year 1
About CUNY City College
A 58% admission rate makes CUNY City College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 11,934 students in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.
See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City College →Top Career Paths
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
$84,290/yr
Interpreters and translators
$59,440/yr
Compare & Explore
Ethnic & Cultural Studies at Other Schools
Other Majors at CUNY City College
Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CUNY City College's Ethnic & Cultural Studies program score?
This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Ethnic & Cultural Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Ethnic & Cultural Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Ethnic & Cultural Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Ethnic & Cultural Studies earnings lower at CUNY City College?
Lower starting pay at CUNY City College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Ethnic & Cultural Studies at CUNY City College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $29,360, but the average net cost is $13,944 — a 53% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →