Head-to-head comparison
CUNY New York City College of Technology vs Pratt Institute-Main: 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 Brooklyn, NY
Pratt Institute-Main
- Net price / year
- $52,659
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,295
- Payback
- 35.5 yrs
CUNY New York City College of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $20,508 in 20.4 years versus 35.5 years at Pratt Institute-Main, on median earnings of $49,365 vs $54,295 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | CUNY New York City College of Technology | Pratt Institute-Main |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,127 | $52,659 |
| Total net cost | $20,508 | $210,636 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,365 | $54,295 |
| Median debt | $10,533 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 20.4 yrs | 35.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$408 | -$91,936 |
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 Pratt Institute-Main?
CUNY New York City College of Technology, at $5,127 a year after aid versus $52,659 — a gap of $47,532 a year, or $190,128 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 Pratt Institute-Main graduates earn more?
Pratt Institute-Main graduates report a median $54,295 ten years after entry, $4,930 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 Pratt Institute-Main?
CUNY New York City College of Technology: its completers carry a median $10,533 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Pratt Institute-Main, 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?
74% of students finish at Pratt Institute-Main, 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.