Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Monroe University

Tech programs in New York range from powerhouses like RIT, where grads earn close to $90,000, down to the state median of around $49,000—which is where Monroe's IT management degree appears to land based on comparable programs in the state. That's $9,000 below the national median for this major, a gap that matters when you're looking at nearly $46,000 in estimated debt, more than double what the typical New York tech program carries and well above the $27,000 national benchmark.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.94 means your child would be borrowing roughly what they'd earn in their first year—a tough starting position for building financial stability. With 58% of Monroe students on Pell grants, many families here are counting on these credentials to open doors. The reality is that similar programs produce first-year earnings that make debt repayment challenging, especially in an expensive city like New York where that $49,000 salary stretches less far than elsewhere.

Given the uncertainty around these estimates and the significant debt burden they suggest, this program warrants serious comparison shopping. SUNY Polytechnic offers similar expected earnings with likely lower debt, while CUNY John Jay produces comparable outcomes at public school prices. If Monroe is the only viable option, understand you're likely looking at a years-long climb to get debt under control.