Construction Management at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred State's construction management program delivers earnings well below what you'd expect in this field, but there's a crucial silver lining in the growth trajectory. Starting at $55,851 puts graduates in just the 5th percentile nationally—significantly behind the $72,746 national median and even $10,000 below other New York programs. That's a substantial gap when nearby SUNY Delhi starts graduates at $69,130. However, the 28% earnings jump to $71,431 by year four suggests graduates who stick with construction management catch up considerably, eventually matching the field's typical pay.

The $25,000 debt load is manageable and right at the national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 that's reasonable for this career path. The real question is whether your student can weather those lower early-career earnings, which might mean working for smaller regional contractors or in rural markets before moving into better-paying roles. With 45% of students receiving Pell grants, Alfred State clearly serves price-conscious families, and the modest debt burden reflects that reality.

This program makes sense if your child has strong local connections in New York construction or is willing to start at a lower rung to build experience. The growth is genuine, but those first few years will be financially tighter than at peer programs. If immediate earning power matters most, look at Delhi instead.