Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at SUNY Buffalo State University

SUNY Buffalo State's Electrical Engineering Technology program produces graduates earning $71,894 in their first year—outperforming both the national median ($67,395) and placing solidly above the middle of New York programs (60th percentile statewide). With debt around $28,000, graduates are borrowing less than 40% of their first-year salary, which translates to manageable monthly payments. By year four, earnings climb to $82,564, suggesting decent advancement potential in this field.

The real story here is value: Buffalo State serves a largely working-class student body (53% receive Pell grants) while delivering earnings that rival more selective programs. Only Excelsior and RIT produce significantly higher earners among New York's engineering technology programs, and both likely attract different student populations. For families concerned about costs, this program offers a clear path to solid middle-class earnings without crushing debt.

The caveat worth noting is the small graduating class size—fewer than 30 students in the data. This means one or two outlier salaries could skew the numbers in either direction. Still, the fundamentals are sound: reasonable debt, above-average starting salaries, and steady earnings growth. For a student interested in hands-on electrical engineering work who wants to stay in New York, Buffalo State provides a practical entry point to the field without the financial stress that often accompanies more prestigious programs.