Business/Commerce at Siena College

Siena's business program sits squarely in the middle nationally but lags behind most NY business schools, with first-year earnings of $47,318 falling in the 40th percentile statewide. That's nearly $7,000 below the state median and more than $10,000 behind SUNY Empire State—a primarily online, lower-cost option. For a private college where students graduate with $27,000 in debt (about $4,000 above the state typical), that positioning raises questions about value, especially when NYU and several other New York schools deliver substantially higher returns.

The debt burden itself is manageable at 57% of first-year earnings, which aligns with conventional financial wisdom. However, the limited sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—means these figures could swing considerably in either direction with just a few data points. That uncertainty matters more when you're already paying private school tuition for middle-of-the-pack outcomes.

If your child is considering Siena for business, the calculation hinges on factors beyond pure earnings: campus fit, networking opportunities, and the liberal arts environment. But from a strictly financial lens, you're paying a premium for results that numerous New York public and private programs exceed, often with less debt. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to choose Siena specifically, exploring those higher-performing alternatives—particularly the SUNY system—makes sense.