Skip to content
degreedividend.
ROI calculator
Independent college researchBuilt on federal dataNo rankings for sale

Head-to-head comparison

College of Staten Island CUNY vs Adelphi University: which has better ROI?

Public, Staten Island NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Garden City NY

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Staten Island, NY

College of Staten Island CUNY

Net price / year
$5,579
Earnings, 10 years
$53,501
Payback
4.3 yrs

Option B Garden City, NY

Adelphi University

Net price / year
$30,783
Earnings, 10 years
$75,482
Payback
4.5 yrs
The verdict

College of Staten Island CUNY has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $22,316 in 4.3 years versus 4.5 years at Adelphi University, on median earnings of $53,501 vs $75,482 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureCollege of Staten Island CUNYAdelphi University
Net price / yr$5,579$30,783
Total net cost$22,316$123,132
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,501$75,482
Median debt$14,350$25,000
Payback4.3 yrs4.5 yrs
20-year net return$80,504$419,308

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, College of Staten Island CUNY or Adelphi University?

College of Staten Island CUNY, at $5,579 a year after aid versus $30,783 — a gap of $25,204 a year, or $100,816 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do College of Staten Island CUNY or Adelphi University graduates earn more?

Adelphi University graduates report a median $75,482 ten years after entry, $21,981 more than the $53,501 at College of Staten Island CUNY. 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.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, College of Staten Island CUNY or Adelphi University?

College of Staten Island CUNY: its completers carry a median $14,350 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Adelphi University, a difference of $10,650. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Adelphi University, against 34% at College of Staten Island CUNY. 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.

College of Staten Island CUNY vs Adelphi University: frequently asked questions

Is College of Staten Island CUNY or Adelphi University a better value?
College of Staten Island CUNY. It clears its $22,316 net cost in about 4.3 years versus 4.5 years at Adelphi University, on median earnings of $53,501 vs $75,482 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, College of Staten Island CUNY or Adelphi University?
College of Staten Island CUNY: $5,579/yr net price after aid versus $30,783/yr at Adelphi University — a difference of $25,204 a year, or about $100,816 over four years.
Do College of Staten Island CUNY or Adelphi University graduates earn more?
Adelphi University graduates earn a median $75,482 ten years after entry, versus $53,501 at College of Staten Island CUNY — a $21,981 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.