Computer Science at Farmingdale State College

Based on comparable programs across New York, Farmingdale State's Computer Science degree appears positioned right at the state median for first-year earnings around $74,500—a solid starting point that matches the typical outcome for similar programs statewide and exceeds the national benchmark by about $3,500. The estimated $13,500 in debt falls well below what graduates from peer programs in New York typically carry, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18 that suggests manageable repayment within a few months of work.

The caveat here is meaningful: these figures are estimates drawn from similar programs because the school's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. That uncertainty matters when you're comparing Farmingdale to established powerhouses like Cornell or RPI, where CS graduates routinely start at $100,000+. But it also means you're likely looking at a fraction of the debt load—perhaps $10,000 to $15,000 less than what graduates from those elite programs carry.

For families prioritizing affordability over prestige, this profile makes sense. The moderate admission standards and significant Pell population suggest Farmingdale serves students who might not access top-tier programs, and if the estimates hold, they're getting market-rate tech salaries without crushing debt. Just recognize you're betting on peer-program patterns rather than this school's proven track record.