Head-to-head · 2026
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice vs CUNY Queens College
Compare average net price ($3,203 at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice; $4,195 at CUNY Queens College), ROI score (43.86 vs 37.40), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($56,195 vs $62,763), and admissions selectivity (57.1% acceptance at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice; 64.4% at CUNY Queens College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | CUNY Queens College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 43.86 ✓ | 37.40 |
| Avg net price | $3,203 ✓ | $4,195 |
| 4-year avg net price | $12,812 ✓ | $16,780 |
| In-state tuition | $7,470 | $7,538 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,420 | $15,488 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $56,195 | $62,763 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 57.1% | 64.4% |
| Graduation rate | 55.8% ✓ | 53.3% |
| Retention rate | 81.6% ✓ | 78.7% |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $10,298 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 11,590 | 12,550 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1080 | 1120 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | CUNY Queens College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,073 ✓ | $1,541 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,506 ✓ | $3,133 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,760 ✓ | $6,785 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,427 ✓ | $9,110 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,292 | $12,700 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | CUNY Queens College |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 14.4% | 1.4% |
| Economics | 1.3% | 7.4% |
| Political Science and Government | 2.5% | 2.3% |
| Sociology | 0.6% | 4.1% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 1.2% | 2.4% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 1.7% | 0.6% |
| History | 0.3% | 1.8% |
| Mathematics | 0.3% | 1.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice reports the lower average net price by $992 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,968 difference over four years ($12,812 vs $16,780).
CUNY Queens College reports $6,568 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($62,763 vs $56,195). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81.6% at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice and 78.7% at CUNY Queens College. Median federal debt among completers is $11,000 vs $10,298, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice vs CUNY Queens College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice is cheaper — average net price $3,203 per year vs $4,195 at CUNY Queens College. The annual difference of $992 adds up to about $3,968 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
CUNY Queens College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $62,763 vs $56,195 at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The gap in the federal data is $6,568. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice is more selective at 57.1% acceptance vs 64.4% at CUNY Queens College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.