Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at State University of New York at Plattsburgh

SUNY Plattsburgh graduates with liberal arts degrees earn $30,318 in their first year—about $6,000 below New York's median for similar programs and well below the national average. Among the 87 schools offering this degree in New York, Plattsburgh ranks in just the 25th percentile. That gap matters: even within SUNY's affordable tuition structure, starting this far behind state peers puts graduates at a disadvantage when competing for entry-level positions in the New York job market.

The stronger story here is the earnings trajectory. That 48% jump from year one to year four suggests graduates find their footing, potentially moving into roles that value the critical thinking and communication skills these degrees develop. The $26,500 debt load is manageable relative to that first-year income (0.87 ratio), and it's actually slightly below the state median. For families prioritizing affordability over initial earning power, that's meaningful.

The caveat is hard to ignore: with fewer than 30 graduates in the sample, these numbers might not represent typical outcomes. If your child is considering this program, the low starting salary appears consistent enough with state trends to be real, but the earnings growth could vary significantly. Given the modest debt and SUNY's reasonable tuition, it's a relatively low-risk option—just set realistic expectations about those first few years after graduation.