Business Administration, Management and Operations at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science

Based on comparable business programs in New York, Paul Smith's graduates can expect to earn around $42,000 in their first year—right at the state median but trailing the national benchmark by about $3,500. The estimated debt of $25,700 creates a manageable ratio of 0.61, meaning the typical graduate would owe roughly 60% of their first year's salary. This sits comfortably below the 1.0 threshold that often signals repayment challenges, though it's worth noting that New York's business programs show extraordinary variation, with top performers like Manhattan University producing first-year earnings nearly three times higher.

The question is whether Paul Smith's remote Adirondack location limits access to the high-earning business opportunities concentrated downstate. With a 91% admission rate and 37% Pell-eligible students, this program appears positioned as an accessible option rather than a competitive feeder to corporate careers. Similar programs in New York suggest graduates enter middle-income roles rather than the lucrative finance or consulting tracks that drive earnings at the state's elite business schools.

For families, the relatively modest debt load provides some cushion if earnings don't materialize as projected. But without actual outcome data for this specific program, you're essentially betting that Paul Smith's delivers results consistent with the typical New York business degree—not the exceptional ones, and hopefully not the disappointing ones either.