Information Science/Studies at University at Buffalo

Information Science programs in New York show dramatic variation in outcomes, with top performers like Excelsior and Syracuse producing graduates earning $73,000-$89,000 their first year. University at Buffalo's program appears to track closer to the state median—estimated around $51,000 based on comparable NY programs—which sits $7,300 below the national benchmark for this field. That gap matters when information science is supposed to be a tech-adjacent major with strong earning potential.

The estimated debt of $21,365 represents a manageable 42% of first-year earnings, and it's notably lower than both the national and state medians for this degree. That's the program's strongest asset. However, the earnings estimate derived from peer programs suggests Buffalo graduates may start at roughly three-quarters of what their counterparts at other SUNY schools like Stony Brook earn. Whether that reflects curriculum differences, employer perceptions, or regional job markets is unclear without actual graduate data for Buffalo's program.

For parents weighing this investment, the debt picture looks reasonable, but the earnings trajectory compared to stronger information science programs in-state warrants serious consideration. If your child has the academic profile to compete for programs like Stony Brook or Syracuse (Buffalo's 1298 average SAT suggests a solid but not elite student body), those alternatives deserve a close look. The modest debt burden provides some cushion, but starting $17,000-$20,000 behind peer programs compounds significantly over a career.