Design and Applied Arts at Mohawk Valley Community College

Mohawk Valley's Design and Applied Arts program graduates earn just $21,012 in their first year—about $7,000 below the national median and $2,000 below the New York state median for this field. While the debt load is relatively modest at $9,534 (actually lower than state and national averages), that's cold comfort when graduates are starting at poverty-level wages. To put this in perspective, nearby Monroe Community College's design program produces graduates earning $27,718, more than 30% higher.

The numbers place this program in the bottom fifth nationally (19th percentile) and barely middle-of-the-pack within New York (40th percentile). That positioning becomes particularly troubling when you consider that design fields typically require building a portfolio and gaining experience—hard to do when you're struggling to cover basic living expenses on $21,000 annually.

The small sample size here (fewer than 30 graduates tracked) means these numbers could shift with more data, but that uncertainty cuts both ways. For a parent considering this investment, the question is whether your child has a clear path to beating these odds—perhaps through exceptional talent, strong industry connections, or a plan to transfer to a four-year program. Without those advantages, this program's track record suggests looking elsewhere, even within SUNY's community college system.