Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at State University of New York at Plattsburgh

The small sample size here demands caution, but the pattern tells a story common to pre-professional programs: SUNY Plattsburgh's Communication Disorders graduates start at barely-living-wage earnings ($24,536) before doubling their income within four years. That 103% earnings growth signals most graduates are likely pursuing the expected path—working as speech-language pathology assistants or in related roles before completing their master's degrees to become licensed SLPs. The initial $25,500 debt load is manageable, ranking in the 18th percentile nationally, which matters when you're facing additional graduate school costs ahead.

What's less encouraging is the program's positioning within New York. At the 40th percentile among state programs, it trails not just CUNY Lehman (which reports $36,000+ first-year earnings) but also more affordable CUNY options like Brooklyn and Queens. The four-year earnings of $49,846 suggest some graduates either enter the workforce without advanced degrees or hit the income ceiling for pre-licensed roles, which could indicate challenges with graduate school placement or career progression.

For families planning on graduate school—the typical trajectory for this field—this program offers low debt entering the next phase, but relatively modest initial earnings. The real question is whether your student will successfully transition to a master's program, where the career outcomes truly materialize. If grad school isn't certain, those year-four earnings should give you pause about stopping at the bachelor's level.