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Urban Studies/Affairs at CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
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/Affairs 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/Affairs. 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/Affairs career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

CUNY Queens College ranks #4 among 25 Urban Studies/Affairs 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/Affairs →

Urban Studies/Affairs 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/Affairs at CUNY Queens College?
At 58/100, CUNY Queens College's Urban Studies/Affairs program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Urban Studies/Affairs 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/Affairs?
Among 25 Urban Studies/Affairs 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 →