Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale State College's nursing program punches well above its weight, placing graduates in the 95th percentile nationally with median starting salaries of $103,508—nearly $40,000 above the typical nursing program nationwide. What makes this particularly impressive is the price: at just $21,646 in median debt, students owe roughly one-fifth of their first-year earnings, creating an unusually favorable financial foundation for new nurses. For context, that debt-to-earnings ratio is better than 84% of nursing programs nationally.

Within New York, the picture is more competitive but still solid. Farmingdale graduates earn above the state median ($89,296) and land in the 60th percentile among 61 nursing programs statewide. While elite programs like Helene Fuld and Medgar Evers produce slightly higher earners, Farmingdale consistently places graduates near the top tier of New York nursing salaries. The 8% earnings growth to $111,965 by year four suggests stable career progression in a high-paying healthcare market.

For families weighing nursing programs, Farmingdale offers exceptional value: top-5% national outcomes at SUNY pricing. The combination of strong starting salaries, manageable debt, and access to New York's lucrative healthcare system makes this an outstanding investment, especially for students who can benefit from in-state tuition rates.