Communications Technology at CUNY York College

Jamaica, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Communications Technology/Technician
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,064/yr (38% vs median)
AI Risk High (37% exposed)
Job Market Small (9,600 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 4 Communications Technology/Technician programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

The strong earnings for this program are a direct result of its location. Based in Queens, you’re on the doorstep of the nation's largest media market. While the program provides foundational skills, your real education happens through internships and freelance gigs you can land at production houses, broadcast studios, and ad agencies across New York City. CUNY’s affordability means your degree is a low-cost entry ticket to a high-cost, high-opportunity industry. You'll be competing with students from elite private schools, but your practical, hands-on experience and local network can level the playing field. To make this degree pay off, you must aggressively pursue professional experience from your first year; your CUNY connections and portfolio, not just your diploma, will get you hired.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communications Technology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $402K $409K $396K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.7x 13.9x 13.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.7x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 46% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,432
Out-of-state: $61,232 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$18,936
36% less than sticker · See by income

About CUNY York College

With a 59% acceptance rate, CUNY York College is moderately selective, a compact campus enrolling 4,439 students in Jamaica, NY. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $18,936 over four years — 36% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY York College →

Top Career Paths

Media and communication workers, all other $71,770/yr
Film and video editors $70,980/yr
Sound engineering technicians $66,430/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communications Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at CUNY York College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communications Technology at CUNY York College?
A score of 23/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communications Technology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Communications Technology careers?
With 37% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $395,753 in decade earnings vs $402,087 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →