Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection at Herkimer County Community College

With estimated first-year earnings around $44,380 and projected debt near $10,866, this construction management program suggests a solid return on investment if the estimates hold true. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe roughly three months of their first-year salary—a manageable burden that puts this program in comfortable territory compared to many associate degrees. The estimated debt falls slightly above New York's median for similar programs ($8,710) but remains well below the national figure.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Because graduate numbers are too small to report actual outcomes, we're relying on peer programs nationally to estimate what Herkimer's graduates might earn. Construction trades can vary significantly by region and specialization—commercial versus residential, inspection versus project management—and upstate New York's construction market may differ from the national programs used for these projections. Erie Community College, the only comparable program in New York with reported data, shows earnings of $44,535, which aligns closely with these estimates and suggests they're reasonable.

For families comfortable with some uncertainty, the fundamentals look promising: low debt, practical skills in steady demand, and earnings estimates that align with actual outcomes elsewhere in the state. Just recognize you're betting on comparable programs being truly comparable to what Herkimer delivers.