Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Stony Brook University

Stony Brook's electrical engineering program delivers remarkably strong outcomes at a fraction of the typical cost. With first-year earnings of $79,571 and just $14,500 in median debt, graduates face one of the best debt-to-earnings ratios you'll find anywhere—their debt represents only 18% of first-year salary compared to the national median of $24,989 in debt. That's less than half the typical borrowing for this degree.

The earnings numbers tell an interesting story. While Stony Brook graduates start slightly above the New York state median and rank in the 60th percentile among the state's 27 engineering programs, they're not quite matching the elite private schools like Cornell ($100K+) or Syracuse ($84K). However, earnings stay remarkably stable through year four at $82,169, and when you consider the minimal debt burden compared to those pricier alternatives, the value equation tilts heavily in Stony Brook's favor. A $5,000 earnings difference becomes meaningless when you're carrying $30,000 less in student loans.

For families weighing a well-regarded SUNY education against expensive private engineering schools, this data suggests the in-state option makes excellent financial sense. Your child gets solid mid-60s percentile outcomes with top-5-percentile low debt—that's a combination that leads to genuine financial freedom after graduation rather than years of aggressive loan repayment.