Median Earnings (1yr)
$41,903
32nd percentile (40th in NY)
Median Debt
$24,214
At national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.58
Manageable
Sample Size
104
Adequate data

Analysis

SUNY Oswego's marketing graduates start at $41,903, landing below both state and national medians—ranking in just the 40th percentile among New York marketing programs. While that initial salary trails schools like Syracuse and Fordham by $15,000 or more, the modest debt load of $24,214 keeps this program accessible, with graduates owing less than seven months of first-year income. That's a manageable starting point, especially given that 39% of students receive Pell grants.

The real story here is trajectory: earnings climb 23% to $51,336 by year four, which actually surpasses what graduates from several higher-ranked New York programs earn initially. That growth suggests Oswego students may need to hustle more in their first marketing roles, but they're not stuck at entry level. The wide admission rate and solid sample size (100+ graduates tracked) means these outcomes reflect a typical SUNY education—not highly selective, but reliable.

For families seeking affordable marketing credentials without reaching for elite private schools, this delivers reasonable value. Your child won't command top starting offers, but they'll graduate without crushing debt and have room to grow into competitive mid-career earnings. Just understand they'll likely need to work harder early on to match peers from brand-name programs.

Where State University of New York at Oswego Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally

State University of New York at OswegoOther marketing programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

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

State University of New York at Oswego graduates earn $42k, placing them in the 32th percentile of all marketing bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (44 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
State University of New York at Oswego$41,903$51,336$24,2140.58
Syracuse University$57,777$68,357$26,9510.47
Fordham University$55,261—$26,9330.49
Manhattan University$49,398$73,714$26,0000.53
Siena College$49,312$64,500$27,0000.55
Pace University$48,509$67,096$26,0000.54
National Median$44,728—$24,2670.54

Other Marketing Programs in New York

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across New York schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Syracuse University
Syracuse
$63,061$57,777$26,951
Fordham University
Bronx
$61,992$55,261$26,933
Manhattan University
Riverdale
$50,850$49,398$26,000
Siena College
Loudonville
$44,405$49,312$27,000
Pace University
New York
$51,424$48,509$26,000

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 104 graduates with reported earnings and 110 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.