Median Earnings (1yr)
$69,942
39th percentile
Median Debt
$17,500
29% below national median

Analysis

Farmingdale State delivers solid value in construction engineering technology, combining significantly lower debt than the national average with earnings that beat most New York competitors. At $17,500 in median debt—about $7,200 below the national norm—graduates face one of the best debt burdens in the field nationally (88th percentile). While first-year earnings of $69,942 fall slightly below the national median, they surpass the New York state median and place this program in the 60th percentile among the state's limited options.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story: graduates see 12% income growth within four years, reaching $78,089. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 means most graduates can manage their loans on about three months' salary, a comfortable position for entering the construction industry. The moderate sample size suggests stable program outcomes without cherry-picked results.

For families concerned about college costs, this represents exactly the kind of practical investment that makes sense: a SUNY school with reasonable admissions standards, minimal debt, and graduates who enter middle-class careers immediately. You're not paying for prestige here—you're paying for skills the construction industry needs, and the numbers show employers value Farmingdale graduates accordingly.

Where Farmingdale State College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all construction engineering technologies bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Farmingdale State College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Farmingdale State College$69,942$78,089+12%
University of Florida$79,410$100,890+27%
California State University-Long Beach$89,003$100,265+13%
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona$87,960$97,515+11%
CUNY New York City College of Technology$67,476$77,896+15%

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Construction Engineering Technologies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (3 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Farmingdale State CollegeFarmingdale$8,576$69,942$78,089$17,5000.25
CUNY New York City College of TechnologyBrooklyn$7,332$67,476$77,896$10,9000.16
National Median—$72,240—$24,7440.34

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with construction engineering technologies graduates

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Cost Estimators

Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

$77,070/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Farmingdale State College, approximately 36% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 49 graduates with reported earnings and 39 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.