CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

This is a commuter school at heart—only 5% of students live on campus—but the Newman Vertical Campus buzzes until late with over 120 student clubs ([21]). The vibe is "work hard, network harder": finance clubs host trading competitions, the debate team regularly beats Ivies, and cultural organizations throw packed events celebrating Baruch's 110+ nationalities ([19], [20]). Don't expect rah-rah school spirit, but do expect to bond over shared grind—whether that's pulling all-nighters in the library or scoring free pizza at yet another resume workshop ([18]). The urban campus means NYC is your playground, but savvy students tap into Baruch's own surprisingly robust events calendar ([17]).

Here's where Baruch punches way above its weight: median early-career earnings hit $83,000—higher than many private colleges charging 5x the tuition ([23]). Within six years, 63% of students graduate ([25]), and those who do land jobs at Goldman Sachs, the NYC Mayor's Office, and other elite employers. The secret sauce? Baruch's 37% first-gen student population brings hunger, while its NYC location delivers unmatched access to internships and recruiters ([24]). Even more impressive: only 9% of students take out federal loans, yet graduates achieve a median 20-year salary of $136,700 ([26]). For ROI, this school is hard to beat.

Baruch's in-state tuition is a steal at $7,461 ([6]), and the average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to $3,033 after aid ([31]). The financial aid office runs a tight ship—you'll file FAFSA, get a Student Aid Index (SAI), and receive a package heavy on grants rather than loans ([29]). Over 65% of students come from households earning under $30,000 ([24]), yet the school manages to keep debt low: median borrowing is just $6,000 ([22]). Out-of-staters pay more ($15,411), but even that's a bargain for Manhattan. Use the CUNY financial aid estimator to game out your package ([28]).

Baruch is the ultimate meritocratic equalizer—a place where first-gen?First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students and immigrants regularly out-earn Ivy grads. Its Wall Street pipeline rivals elite business schools, yet classrooms feel more like NYC itself: diverse, no-nonsense, and buzzing with ambition. The lack of dorms means you won't get the traditional college experience, but in exchange, you get real-world immersion in the global capital of finance, arts, and policy. For students who want prestige without pretension (and salaries without soul-crushing debt), Baruch delivers.