At $14,229/yr net price, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates earn $52,334/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,334/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,229 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $56,916 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,334/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,334/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,028 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,684/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,992/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,379/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,478/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,201/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $63,749 | $24,870 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $58,522 | $22,400 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $46,478 | $34,771 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $46,254 | $19,250 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $45,969 | $33,000 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $45,696 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $45,249 | $20,944 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $44,942 | $25,324 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $44,276 | $29,545 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $26,450 |
The Risk Factor
36.0% of students at SUNY Buffalo State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
SUNY Buffalo State gives you a moderate return with a real completion risk attached. The median graduate earns just above $52,000 after ten years against a debt load around $21,000, which is a manageable payback if you actually finish. The problem is finishing: only 36% of students graduate, and barely more than half return after their first year. That gap is the biggest financial threat here. If you borrow, start, and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings boost.
The engineering technology programs are where the money is. Electrical Engineering Technologies graduates clear nearly $64,000, and Mechanical Engineering Technologies isn't far behind at $58,500, both with debt in line with the school average. Buffalo's manufacturing and industrial base supports these fields locally, so you can work near where you studied. Information Science also lands above the median. The weaker payoffs sit in Dietetics and Industrial Production Technologies, where you take on the highest debt on this list ($26,450 and $25,324) for earnings in the low-to-mid $40,000s. Those programs leave you with the thinnest margin.
Cost scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $10,700 a year. over $110,000, that climbs to $21,200. For lower-income families the price is reasonable, but the low graduation rate means the risk-adjusted cost is higher than the sticker suggests.
This school fits you if you're targeting an engineering technology or information field and you're confident you'll finish. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to the lower-earning majors here, or if you're unsure about completing, since the odds of walking away without a degree are close to even.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY Buffalo State University worth the cost?
Buffalo State offers decent value with a low net price of $14,229 annually and graduates earning $52,334 after 10 years. However, the 36% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly hurts the return on investment.
What are the best paying majors at SUNY Buffalo State University?
Engineering technology programs at Buffalo State pay the best, with electrical engineering tech graduates earning $63,749 and mechanical engineering tech earning $58,522. Business and education majors earn considerably less at around $45,000-$46,000.
How much debt do SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have?
Buffalo State graduates carry a median debt of $21,028, which is manageable given the relatively low cost of attendance. The debt-to-income ratio is reasonable for graduates who complete their degrees.
What is the graduation rate at SUNY Buffalo State University?
Only 36% of students graduate from Buffalo State, which is well below the national average. This low completion rate is the biggest risk factor when considering whether the school is worth attending.