Business/Managerial Economics at State University of New York at Cortland

SUNY Cortland's business economics program starts slow but builds momentum—graduates earn just $40,517 in their first year, landing in the 5th percentile nationally. Before you panic, though, look at what happens next: earnings jump to $63,367 by year four, a 56% increase that ultimately exceeds both the national and New York state medians for this degree. Among New York's 15 business economics programs, this sits right at the middle of the pack (40th percentile), performing comparably to SUNY Oneonta.

The debt burden is actually a bright spot here—at $26,000, it's slightly above the state median but well below national norms, and that 0.64 ratio to first-year earnings is manageable, especially considering where graduates end up four years out. This isn't Baruch, where graduates start strong right away, but with 100+ graduates in the sample, these patterns are reliable.

The real question is whether your student can weather those lean first years, likely requiring additional support or part-time work. If they can make it to year four, they'll catch up to their peers elsewhere. This program works best for families who can afford patience and have a financial cushion to support a slower launch.