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Urban Studies at CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Urban Studies/Affairs
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
58
Optimistic
58
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,995/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (37% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,900 openings/yr)
ROI 18.7x earnings multiple (9.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 25 Urban Studies/Affairs programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Urban Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $569K $564K $521K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.9x 18.7x 17.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.2x 9.1x 8.4x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 58 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,152
Out-of-state: $61,952 (9.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$15,320
49% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,656
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,995/yr, roughly in line with the $40,998 national median for Urban Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 18.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Urban Studies career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

CUNY Queens College ranks #4 among 25 Urban Studies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 41% earnings increase from $42,995 to $60,656 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About CUNY Queens College

A 69% admission rate makes CUNY Queens College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, enrolling 13,060 students in Queens, NY. With 48% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $15,320 over four years — 49% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Queens College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Sociologists $101,690/yr
Urban and regional planners $83,720/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 25 schools offering Urban Studies →

Urban Studies at Other Schools

University of California-Berkeley ($58,171) San Francisco State University ($50,008) Brown University ($48,731) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($47,585) University of Washington-Tacoma Campus ($47,585) California State University-Northridge ($46,826) University of Nevada-Las Vegas ($46,712) Portland State University ($45,870)

Other Majors at CUNY Queens College

Computer Science ($63,632) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($58,894) Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language ($48,923) Finance and Financial Management Services ($45,168) Accounting and Related Services ($45,158) Economics ($39,377) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($37,654) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($37,414)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Urban Studies at CUNY Queens College?
At 58/100, CUNY Queens College's Urban Studies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Urban Studies at CUNY Queens College?
The 37% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is CUNY Queens College one of the best schools for Urban Studies?
Among 25 Urban Studies programs, CUNY Queens College's #4 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →