Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at SUNY Buffalo State University

Buffalo State's liberal arts program graduates earn significantly less than the typical New York graduate in this field—about $3,700 below the state median in their first year. While the 40th percentile ranking within New York might sound middling, it means six out of ten comparable programs in the state deliver better starting outcomes. The $32,082 first-year salary sits well below both state and national benchmarks, and the 27th percentile nationally confirms this isn't just a New York comparison issue.

The positive angle here is manageable debt: at $27,000, it matches the national median and sits only slightly above the state average. With steady 15% earnings growth to nearly $37,000 by year four, graduates aren't buried by their loans. Still, that fourth-year figure barely reaches what typical liberal arts graduates earn right out of college elsewhere. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 is reasonable but not impressive given the modest starting point.

For families considering this program, understand you're paying for access rather than outcomes. With a 76% admission rate and 53% of students on Pell grants, Buffalo State serves students who might not have other options. If your child has stronger academic credentials or could access programs at institutions like Cornell or Union College (where liberal arts grads earn $46,000+), those represent substantially better investments. This program works as an affordable pathway to a bachelor's degree, but it won't deliver the earning power many associate with four-year degrees.