Computer and Information Sciences at New York Institute of Technology

New York Institute of Technology's Computer and Information Sciences program starts with a significant handicap—first-year graduates earn $43,801, ranking in just the 10th percentile among New York computer science programs and well below both the state median ($62,592) and national median ($61,322). For context, nearby programs like Stony Brook start graduates at $90,673. However, this program's story is defined by what happens next: earnings nearly double to $80,689 by year four, an 84% jump that eventually brings graduates close to competitive territory.

The challenge is surviving that initial gap. While the debt load of $24,817 is manageable relative to later earnings, parents should recognize that their child may need financial support during those early years when earnings lag significantly behind peers from other New York programs. This pattern suggests graduates may be starting in help desk or junior IT roles rather than software engineering positions that command higher entry salaries.

The key question is whether your family can weather the startup period. If your child can handle lower initial earnings—perhaps by living at home or having financial backup—the program eventually delivers reasonable outcomes. But if they need to start earning competitive wages immediately after graduation, the dozens of other New York computer science programs that begin at higher salaries would be safer bets. This is a program that rewards patience more than it delivers immediate returns.