Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale State delivers something many engineering tech programs struggle with: graduates who leave with manageable debt and competitive earnings. At just $17,409 in median debt—far below both the state median of $24,406 and national average of $27,000—this program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for keeping costs down. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 means graduates typically owe less than four months' salary, making loan repayment straightforward even on entry-level wages.

The earnings story is solid if unspectacular. Starting at $62,223, graduates earn slightly above New York's state median for this field and reach $70,143 by year four—a 13% gain that suggests career progression. Among New York's ten programs, Farmingdale lands in the 60th percentile, trailing Rochester Institute of Technology and SUNY Polytechnic but competing effectively with other SUNY tech programs. The first-year earnings sit just below the national median, but the combination of steady growth and minimal debt changes the calculus considerably.

For families concerned about engineering costs spiraling out of control, this represents a practical path. Your child won't command RIT-level salaries immediately, but they'll also avoid the debt burden that makes those extra dollars disappear into loan payments. It's a straightforward trade: accept slightly below-average starting pay in exchange for financial flexibility that matters more in the early career years.