Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at SUNY Buffalo State University

Buffalo State's Industrial Production Technologies program starts graduates at $48,355—well below the New York median of $53,766 and landing in just the 20th percentile nationally. However, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, so consider them a directional signal rather than gospel.

The debt picture offers better news: at $29,500, graduates borrow about $3,000 more than the state median but keep their debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.61. More importantly, earnings jump 31% by year four to $63,306, which surpasses both state and national medians. This suggests the degree provides genuine skills development, even if the initial placement lags behind competitors like Farmingdale State College. The 53% Pell Grant population indicates Buffalo State serves many first-generation and lower-income students, who may start their careers in different industries or regions that explain the lower initial earnings.

If your child has strong local ties to western New York and values Buffalo State's supportive environment, this program can work—particularly given the eventual earnings growth. But if maximizing starting salary matters, Farmingdale State's $59,000 starting median suggests the SUNY system offers stronger options elsewhere. The small cohort size also raises questions about program stability and employer connections worth investigating directly.