Civil Engineering at Stony Brook University

Stony Brook's civil engineering program hits right at New York's median earnings ($71,856 versus the state's $71,823), but what distinguishes it is remarkably low debt—just $17,250 compared to $22,409 statewide and $24,500 nationally. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio ranks among the best financing packages for this degree in the country, sitting in the 95th percentile for low debt. While graduates aren't reaching the $80,000+ salaries of Cornell or Manhattan grads, they're starting their careers with roughly $7,000 less debt than peers at comparable programs.

The practical advantage becomes clear when you consider loan payments: your child would owe about $190 per month on that debt versus $250+ for typical civil engineering grads elsewhere. That's $700-800 annually in extra disposable income during those crucial early-career years when engineers are often pursuing professional licenses or saving for major purchases. The earnings trajectory for civil engineers also tends to strengthen mid-career as they move into project management and gain PE licensure, making that initial debt load even more manageable over time.

For families concerned about engineering program costs—especially at a school with strong academics (1410 average SAT) and a reasonable 49% admission rate—this represents one of the better value propositions in New York. You're getting solid market-rate starting salaries without the debt burden that often accompanies them.