Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at SUNY Maritime College

SUNY Maritime's electrical engineering program delivers exactly what you'd hope from a solid state school—graduates earning nearly $78,000 right out of college with manageable debt of $25,500. That 0.33 debt ratio means your child would owe roughly four months of salary, well within the safe zone for engineering careers. Among New York's 27 programs in this field, Maritime lands at the 60th percentile, outperforming the state median while costing significantly less than private alternatives like Syracuse or RPI.

The earnings trajectory looks healthy, climbing 13% to $88,191 by year four. While that's below the elite programs—Cornell grads start near $100,000—Maritime provides a practical path into engineering without the financial stress or admissions gauntlet of top-tier schools. With a 79% admission rate and moderate SAT requirements, it's accessible to students who might not crack the most selective programs but still want legitimate career outcomes.

The major caveat: sample size here is small, so these numbers represent fewer than 30 graduates. That said, the consistency with both state and national benchmarks suggests they're reasonable. For families prioritizing affordability and in-state tuition, this program offers straightforward value—solid starting salaries with debt that won't dominate your child's early career decisions.