Business, Management, Marketing, at State University of New York at Oswego

Comparable business programs in New York suggest first-year earnings around $41,400—a figure that lags nearly $9,000 behind the national median for business bachelor's degrees. With estimated debt of $24,600, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, meaning they'd owe roughly seven months' salary. That's manageable on paper, but the earnings gap creates real pressure when you're competing for jobs and apartments in one of the country's most expensive states.

The challenge here is that New York's business job market rewards graduates from top-tier programs disproportionately. While SUNY Oswego's 80% admission rate and 39% Pell population suggest good access, peer programs in the state show a tight earnings band—SUNY Maritime leads at just $44,700, only $5,000 more than what similar programs suggest Oswego produces. That limited upside matters when national business graduates typically earn $50,700 in year one.

For families considering this program, the arithmetic works if your student plans to stay upstate where living costs are lower, or if scholarships can push that debt figure down significantly. But if they're eyeing New York City opportunities where business degrees pay better, acknowledge that this program's estimated outcomes put graduates at a competitive disadvantage from day one. The debt is reasonable; the earnings ceiling appears constrained.