Information Science/Studies at SUNY Old Westbury

SUNY Old Westbury's Information Science program lands students above the state median but below the national benchmark, with first-year earnings of $56,333 that rank in the 60th percentile among New York programs. That's roughly $5,000 less than the national typical outcome but $5,000 more than the state median—a positioning that reflects the competitive information science landscape in New York, where programs range from Excelsior's $88,713 to substantially lower figures.

The debt picture appears manageable based on comparable programs: an estimated $21,365 yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, meaning graduates would need less than five months of their first-year salary to cover total borrowing. That's notably better than the national median debt of $25,750 for information science degrees. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, the relatively accessible debt load matters—this is a program serving students who may not have family wealth to fall back on.

The challenge is the earnings gap with top New York programs. Stony Brook and Syracuse graduates earn $12,000-$17,000 more in their first year, suggesting that institutional brand or alumni networks create meaningful differences in job placement. For families weighing this program, the calculation hinges on whether the lower debt outweighs potentially slower earnings growth, particularly since we're working with estimated debt figures rather than this school's actual outcomes. The program delivers solidly middle-tier results in a state with stronger options, but does so at a price point that doesn't create financial strain.