Economics at SUNY Old Westbury

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 suggests a manageable financial picture for this economics degree, though peer programs in New York indicate first-year earnings around $50,000—essentially matching both state and national benchmarks for the field. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, Old Westbury serves a different population than the elite institutions dominating New York's economics rankings, where graduates command $80,000+ in their first year. The question is whether a more accessible economics degree delivers comparable value when the immediate earnings gap is substantial.

The estimated $20,000 debt load sits below typical borrowing for New York economics programs, which helps offset the earnings picture. Similar programs across the state show graduates typically earning enough to manage this debt burden within standard repayment timelines. However, the suppressed data here means we're working with broad state averages rather than Old Westbury-specific outcomes, making it harder to assess how this particular program's curriculum, internship networks, and career services translate into real opportunities.

For families weighing this investment, the fundamentals look workable: modest debt paired with earnings that track state norms. But the lack of school-specific data and the significant earnings gap compared to New York's top programs means you're betting on Old Westbury's ability to deliver outcomes similar to peer institutions. If your student has options at schools with reported data showing stronger results, those figures offer more certainty than estimates can provide.