Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred's architectural engineering technology program sits in an unusual sweet spot: it underperforms the national median by nearly $5,000 but actually beats most NY programs, ranking 60th percentile in the state. This matters because New York's market for architectural technicians appears weaker than the national average—the state median is $7,000 below the national figure. Within that context, Alfred graduates are doing relatively well.

The $27,000 debt load is manageable, translating to a 0.59 ratio against first-year earnings. Graduates also see solid trajectory, with earnings jumping 22% by year four to $56,287. That's a meaningful improvement that suggests employers value the experience these graduates gain. For a family considering in-state tuition at an accessible school (82% admission rate, serving many Pell-eligible students), this represents a practical path into building design and construction management.

The critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. If your student is committed to staying in New York and wants hands-on technical training rather than a theoretical engineering degree, Alfred offers reasonable value. But students willing to relocate should know that architectural technicians in other states often earn considerably more—the national 75th percentile is $69,000, suggesting better markets exist elsewhere.