Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Excelsior University

The $56,260 starting salary from Excelsior's computer engineering technology program crushes the national median by over $13,000—placing it in the 95th percentile nationwide. That's an impressive figure for an associate degree, though context matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers could shift significantly year to year. The debt load of $12,875 is reasonable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.23, meaning graduates earn more than four times their debt in their first year alone.

The New York picture tells a more nuanced story. That $56,260 salary sits right at the state median, meaning this program performs typically for New York—not poorly, just not exceptionally. New York's robust tech sector likely lifts all boats here. What's worth noting: among the 15 New York schools offering this program, Excelsior sits at the 60th percentile for earnings but 75th percentile for debt nationally. In other words, graduates here carry more debt than typical for this field, even if the debt remains manageable relative to earnings.

For parents, the math works—a debt burden under $13,000 against a $56,000+ starting salary is solid. Just remember that small sample sizes mean next year's cohort could look different. If your child is specifically targeting New York employment, this program delivers market-rate outcomes without the premium price tag of some alternatives.