Median Earnings (1yr)
$45,569
49th percentile
60th percentile in New York
Median Debt
$24,006
8% below national median

Analysis

SUNY Oswego's business management program outperforms 60% of New York business programsβ€”a meaningful advantage in a state where the typical graduate earns just $42,268. With first-year earnings of $45,569 and modest debt of $24,006, graduates here are clearing the state median by over $3,000 while borrowing less than the New York average. The 18% earnings growth to nearly $54,000 by year four suggests graduates are finding stable career progression, not just entry-level jobs.

The value proposition strengthens when you consider the alternatives. While elite private universities like Syracuse push starting salaries above $65,000, they often come with significantly higher debt loads and sticker prices. SUNY Oswego delivers solid middle-class outcomes at a public university price point, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 that graduates can reasonably manage. The program performs right at the national median despite New York's higher cost of living, which speaks to consistent quality.

For families seeking a straightforward path to business careers without gambling on prestige or taking on crushing debt, this program does exactly what a state university should: it produces employable graduates at an affordable price. The 80% admission rate means it's accessible, and the 39% Pell Grant population suggests the school serves students who need education to be a genuine economic ladder, not just a credential.

Where State University of New York at Oswego Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How State University of New York at Oswego graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
State University of New York at Oswego$45,569$53,870+18%
Manhattan University$113,777$104,296-8%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute$47,925$82,861+73%
Marist University$53,766$78,615+46%
Fordham University$58,341$78,039+34%

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (94 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
State University of New York at OswegoOswego$8,769$45,569$53,870$24,0060.53
Manhattan UniversityRiverdale$50,850$113,777$104,296$25,3280.22
Excelsior UniversityAlbanyβ€”$70,191β€”$14,7370.21
Clarkson UniversityPotsdam$57,950$65,887$76,141$24,7570.38
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse$63,061$65,009$71,365$27,0000.42
Yeshiva UniversityNew York$49,900$61,312$65,800$22,0000.36
National Medianβ€”$45,703β€”$26,0000.57

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At State University of New York at Oswego, approximately 39% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 245 graduates with reported earnings and 265 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.