Head-to-head comparison
CUNY New York City College of Technology vs Alfred University: which has better ROI?
Option A Brooklyn, NY
CUNY New York City College of Technology
- Net price / year
- $5,127
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,365
- Payback
- 20.4 yrs
Option B Alfred, NY
Alfred University
- Net price / year
- $25,620
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,897
- Payback
- 15.7 yrs
Alfred University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $102,480 in 15.7 years versus 20.4 years at CUNY New York City College of Technology, on median earnings of $54,897 vs $49,365 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | CUNY New York City College of Technology | Alfred University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,127 | $25,620 |
| Total net cost | $20,508 | $102,480 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,365 | $54,897 |
| Median debt | $10,533 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 20.4 yrs | 15.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$408 | $28,260 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, CUNY New York City College of Technology or Alfred University?
CUNY New York City College of Technology, at $5,127 a year after aid versus $25,620 — a gap of $20,493 a year, or $81,972 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 CUNY New York City College of Technology or Alfred University graduates earn more?
Alfred University graduates report a median $54,897 ten years after entry, $5,532 more than the $49,365 at CUNY New York City College of Technology. 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, CUNY New York City College of Technology or Alfred University?
CUNY New York City College of Technology: its completers carry a median $10,533 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Alfred University, a difference of $15,467. 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?
57% of students finish at Alfred University, against 21% at CUNY New York City College of Technology. 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.