Head-to-head comparison
New York University vs CUNY Hunter College: which has better ROI?
Option A New York, NY
New York University
- Net price / year
- $37,050
- Earnings, 10 years
- $82,509
- Payback
- 4.3 yrs
Option B New York, NY
CUNY Hunter College
- Net price / year
- $2,984
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,163
- Payback
- 0.8 yrs
CUNY Hunter College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $11,936 in 0.8 years versus 4.3 years at New York University, on median earnings of $63,163 vs $82,509 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | New York University | CUNY Hunter College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $37,050 | $2,984 |
| Total net cost | $148,200 | $11,936 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,509 | $63,163 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 0.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $534,780 | $284,124 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, New York University or CUNY Hunter College?
CUNY Hunter College, at $2,984 a year after aid versus $37,050 — a gap of $34,066 a year, or $136,264 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 New York University or CUNY Hunter College graduates earn more?
New York University graduates report a median $82,509 ten years after entry, $19,346 more than the $63,163 at CUNY Hunter College. 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, New York University or CUNY Hunter College?
CUNY Hunter College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $20,500 at New York University, a difference of $9,500. 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?
88% of students finish at New York University, against 57% at CUNY Hunter College. 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.