Business, Management, Marketing, at Farmingdale State College

A business degree that costs an estimated $24,621 and leads to first-year earnings around $41,000 presents reasonable value—if those estimates hold. Based on comparable programs in New York, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, meaning they'd owe roughly seven months of salary. That's manageable, though not exceptional, especially considering that reported outcomes by year four show earnings climbing to $57,638.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With both earnings and debt figures derived from peer programs rather than actual Farmingdale State outcomes, parents are essentially betting that this program will perform like similar business programs across New York. The state benchmark sits at $41,421 for first-year earnings—exactly what's estimated here—while the national median for business degrees is considerably higher at $50,740. That gap suggests New York's business graduates generally start slower than their peers elsewhere, possibly reflecting the state's high cost of living and competitive job market.

What tips this toward a reasonable investment is the year-four data: $57,638 represents solid mid-career progress and suggests graduates find their footing. For a family seeking an affordable SUNY option with manageable debt, this program likely delivers what you'd expect—a functional business credential without dramatic upside or downside. Just recognize you're making decisions based on how similar programs perform, not on verified outcomes from this specific degree.