Computer Engineering at Binghamton University

Binghamton delivers strong Computer Engineering outcomes at SUNY pricing, with graduates earning nearly $87,000 in their first year—solidly above both the national median ($79,000) and the state median ($81,000). While the program ranks at the 60th percentile in New York, that's impressive context: it's outperforming the state's median program despite charging a fraction of what private competitors like RIT or Syracuse cost. The debt burden of under $24,000 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.28, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than four months of gross salary.

The trajectory looks sustainable, with earnings climbing to nearly $98,000 by year four—a 12% increase that suggests graduates are advancing in their careers rather than hitting early ceilings. At a selective public university (38% admission rate, 1415 average SAT), you're getting Columbia-caliber selectivity with debt levels that are roughly one-fifth of what private engineering programs typically generate.

The caveat: sample size is small, so individual outcomes may vary more than these medians suggest. But for families seeking engineering credentials without engineering-level debt, Binghamton offers one of New York's clearest value propositions in this field.