Computer Programming at Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale State's Computer Programming graduates start behind their New York peers—earning $45,383 in year one versus the state median of $64,629—but they're carrying significantly less debt than most. At $21,500, their loan burden sits well below both the state median ($24,250) and national average ($31,050), creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47. The strong 35% earnings growth to $61,028 by year four shows graduates gaining ground, though they still trail the state median by the time they reach mid-career.

The challenge here is straightforward: this program ranks in just the 25th percentile among New York computer programming degrees. While Farmingdale serves a more economically diverse student body (36% receive Pell grants) and maintains an accessible admission profile, the earnings gap is substantial. Rochester Institute of Technology graduates, for context, earn nearly double in their first year. For families prioritizing low debt over maximum earning potential, the trade-off might work—your child graduates with minimal financial burden and room to grow. But if they can access stronger programs, the earnings difference compounds significantly over a career in technology.

The low debt makes this a defensible choice for students who need to stay close to home or who face financial constraints, but it's not the pathway to the higher-paying tech roles that drive New York's premium on computer science talent.