Physical Sciences, General at Queensborough Community College-CUNY

Graduates of the Physical Sciences, General program at Queensborough Community College-CUNY can expect a significant increase in earnings over time. The median earnings one year after graduation stand at $29,428, which rises to $52,140 after five years and reaches $72,356 after ten years. However, when adjusted for purchasing power, the five-year salary equivalent is approximately $39,500, reflecting the higher cost of living in New York, where the cost of living index is 1.32 compared to the national average of 1.0. This indicates that while the nominal earnings are promising, the real value of those earnings may be less impactful in a high-cost area.

In terms of career pathways, graduates predominantly enter the Health Care & Social Assistance sectors, with 28.3% and 27.2% of graduates employed in these fields, followed by 9.3% in Educational Services. The estimated break-even point for pursuing this degree versus a high-school-only path is approximately 10.5 years, suggesting that while the long-term financial benefits are evident, the initial investment in education may take over a decade to recoup. Overall, the return on investment for this program appears favorable for those committed to the field, particularly in the context of the industries that graduates are entering.