Computer and Information Sciences at State University of New York at New Paltz

SUNY New Paltz's computer science program starts weak but catches up fast. First-year earnings of $42,538 land in just the 10th percentile among New York programs—roughly $20,000 below the state median and $30,000 behind what peers at Stony Brook earn. But four years out, graduates hit $94,090, vaulting past the state median and closing much of the gap with top programs. That 121% earnings jump suggests grads either need time to land proper tech roles or are successfully pivoting into higher-paying positions after initial stumbles.

The $25,500 debt load is reasonable and typical for the state, meaning the real question is whether that rocky first year creates financial stress. A 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable but not comfortable—graduates will need to budget carefully or secure parental support during that initial period. Given the admission rate and SAT scores, this isn't drawing the strongest tech students, which may explain why employers aren't immediately offering competitive salaries.

If your child can weather the first year financially and has the grit to break into better positions, the trajectory looks solid. But families counting on immediate tech-salary returns should look elsewhere—this program requires patience and probably some hustle to reach its potential.