Mathematics at SUNY Oneonta

A first-year salary of $31,916 puts SUNY Oneonta's math program in the bottom 10% both nationally and within New York—a troubling position for a STEM degree that typically commands strong starting pay. While earnings do climb to nearly $50,000 by year four, that's still $7,000 below what the typical New York math graduate earns right out of the gate. The gap widens further when you look at top state programs: Cornell and RPI math grads start around $80,000, and even mid-tier alternatives like NYU begin at $58,000.

The debt load of $17,750 is reasonable in absolute terms, but context matters. You're paying similar amounts to what students at higher-earning programs pay, yet getting dramatically different outcomes. The 55% earnings jump suggests graduates may be taking jobs that don't require their degree initially—perhaps teaching positions or roles where the math credential takes time to translate into compensation.

Given the small sample size (under 30 graduates), these numbers could shift with more data. But what's clear now is concerning: if you're investing in a math degree for its earning power, this program significantly underperforms both state and national peers. Unless there's a specific reason to attend SUNY Oneonta—like guaranteed teaching placement or unique graduate school connections—families should strongly consider other SUNY schools or state alternatives where math degrees deliver more predictable returns.