Business, Management, Marketing, at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred State's business program graduates earn $39,202 in their first year—below both the national median ($50,740) and New York's median ($41,421) for business degrees. While it ranks in the 40th percentile among New York business programs, that translates to roughly $2,200 less annually than the state average. The $26,000 debt load matches the national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66, which means graduates carry about eight months of their starting salary in debt.

The earnings trajectory shows some improvement over four years, climbing 18% to $46,428, but this still leaves graduates earning less than peers from comparable programs. For context, nearby SUNY Maritime's business grads start at $44,675—about $5,400 more annually than Alfred State graduates earn even after four years. Given that 45% of Alfred State students receive Pell grants, many families are making this investment from a position where every dollar counts.

The practical calculation here is straightforward: your child would graduate with manageable debt but lower earning potential than most business degree holders. If they're committed to business and need to stay in the SUNY system, this works as an affordable option. But if they can access other SUNY business programs without significantly higher costs, the earnings gap suggests exploring those alternatives would likely yield better returns on the same four-year investment.