Business/Commerce at St Lawrence University

St. Lawrence's business program graduates earn $54,772 in their first year—well above the national median but slightly below the New York median of $53,966. Among Empire State business programs, this lands at the 60th percentile, placing it in the middle tier. Graduates see their earnings climb to $67,402 by year four, representing solid 23% growth that suggests the degree opens doors to progressive career advancement.

The debt picture is reasonable: $26,113 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48, meaning graduates earn roughly twice what they owe. This matches the national median debt almost exactly, making it manageable for most families. For a selective liberal arts college (58% admission rate, 1343 average SAT), this represents fair value—though families should recognize they're not getting the premium earnings commanded by schools like NYU ($77,828) or even nearby CUNY programs.

The real question is whether St. Lawrence's residential campus experience justifies middle-of-the-pack New York earnings. If your student values the liberal arts environment and rural Canton setting, the financial fundamentals work. But if maximizing business career ROI is the priority, SUNY options or larger urban programs might deliver comparable outcomes at lower cost. The program performs adequately but doesn't stand out financially in a competitive state market.