Computer and Information Sciences at SUNY Old Westbury

SUNY Old Westbury's computer science graduates start at $63,463—essentially matching New York's state median and slightly above the national benchmark. While this isn't remarkable compared to elite programs like Cornell ($103,650) or even fellow SUNY school Stony Brook ($90,673), it represents solid middle-of-the-pack performance at a much more accessible institution. With an 85% admission rate and nearly half of students on Pell grants, Old Westbury serves a different population than the schools dominating the top of New York's earnings rankings.

The debt picture strengthens the value case: graduates leave with $23,500, giving them a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's below both state and national median debt levels, meaning students here borrow less than typical computer science majors. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates in this data) means individual outcomes vary more than these medians suggest.

For families seeking an affordable entry into tech careers without the cutthroat admissions process, this program delivers reasonable results. The earnings won't match top-tier programs, but the combination of lower debt, accessible admission, and starting salaries that still exceed most non-tech degrees makes it a practical choice—especially for students who might not have alternatives at Stony Brook or private universities.