Mathematics at State University of New York at Cortland

The numbers here tell an unusual story, but the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means they might not be reliable. That said, what's reported shows first-year earnings that lag behind both the New York state median ($45,880) and the national average ($48,772) by significant margins, landing this program in just the 5th percentile nationally.

The silver lining is dramatic earnings growth: graduates reportedly see their income nearly double by year four, reaching $63,953. That would put later-career earnings well above typical math majors. However, this trajectory is based on very limited data and could easily look different for future cohorts. At $25,000 in debt—slightly above state and national medians—the financial burden is manageable if those later earnings materialize, but the first-year struggle is real.

For parents considering SUNY Cortland's math program, the key question is whether your student has alternative opportunities. Top New York programs like Cornell or RPI produce graduates earning $80,000-$87,000 right out of the gate. Even mid-tier options significantly outpace Cortland's reported outcomes. If your child can access more competitive programs—or wants to pursue graduate study where program prestige matters—this might not be the strongest foundation. The small sample size makes it hard to know if anyone should bank on these specific numbers repeating.