Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Farmingdale State College

In New York, civil engineering technology programs range from $60,000 to $73,000 in first-year earnings, and based on comparable programs across the state, Farmingdale graduates likely land right in the middle of that pack at around $62,000. That's competitive with the state median and actually edges above the national benchmark for this degree, which suggests the New York market for engineering technicians pays decently compared to other states.

The estimated $27,500 in debt translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44—meaning debt is less than half of that first year's salary. Similar programs nationally carry about $28,000 in debt, so this appears typical for the field. For a technical bachelor's degree that leads to concrete skills and measurable job prospects, that's a reasonable financial starting point, especially at a SUNY institution where costs tend to be lower than private alternatives.

The real question is whether your child wants the technician track versus traditional civil engineering. This program trains people to work alongside engineers in testing, construction oversight, and technical support rather than doing design work themselves. If that hands-on, applied career path appeals to them, the numbers make sense. But if they're drawn to engineering itself, they should understand this isn't the same credential—it's more about implementation than innovation, and the earnings ceiling reflects that distinction.