Farmingdale State College combines accessible admission with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the college produces earnings $17,800 beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels $6,387 below peer institutions, creating sustainable pathways to career advancement for diverse student populations including significant first-generation and Pell-eligible enrollment.
With well above average outcomes, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With top-tier performance, driven by controlled costs and moderate debt levels that support financial sustainability
With top-tier performance, reflecting the institution's exceptional ability to convert educational access into economic advancement for diverse student populations
With top-tier performance, reflecting the institution's exceptional ability to convert educational access into economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisFarmingdale State College delivers exceptional value through the combination of strong earnings outcomes and controlled educational costs. Graduates earn a median of $69,781 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 86th percentile nationally and generating $17,800 beyond expectations relative to student demographics.
This earnings performance places Farmingdale State in the 93.2nd percentile for value-added outcomes, reflecting top-tier performance in translating educational access into economic mobility. Earnings range from $43,364 at the 25th percentile to $99,020 at the 75th percentile, demonstrating varied career trajectories across the institution's technical and professional programs.
Students seeking strong post-graduation earnings in applied fields like engineering technology, nursing, business, and computer science. Well-suited for first-generation students (39.7%) and Pell-eligible students (35.8%) who want technical programs that deliver clear career pathways.
Farmingdale State College's Mobility Engine designation reflects strong economic outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds at an affordable public institution.
Farmingdale State College admits approximately 69.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the moderately selective category, with admission rates between 50-75% that characterize many quality public colleges.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that Farmingdale State is notably more selective than typical institutions with similar characteristics, being 15.5 percentage points more competitive than peer institutions. This level of selectivity reflects the institution's technical program focus and strong employment outcomes, which attract more applicants than available seats.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Farmingdale State College's published cost of attendance totals $17,146 annually, including $8,576 in in-state tuition, $14,546 for room and board, and $1,300 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $9,173 after financial aid, representing savings of $7,973 from the sticker price.
This net price places Farmingdale State well below the peer median of $14,093, providing $4,920 in annual cost savings compared to similar institutions. The institution's public status enables affordable in-state tuition rates while maintaining program quality that produces strong employment outcomes.
Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $18,486, but even with this premium, total costs remain reasonable compared to private alternatives. The substantial gap between published costs and actual net prices reflects effective financial aid policies that make education accessible to diverse income levels.
Students and families should focus on net price rather than sticker price when evaluating affordability, as the $7,973 average financial aid award significantly reduces the actual cost burden. This combination of moderate published costs and substantial financial aid creates pathways to career-focused education without excessive debt accumulation.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
102 graduates
Blood Bank Technology Specialist.
22 graduates
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.
52 graduates
Audio Engineering Technology/Technician.
46 graduates
Dental Assisting/Assistant.
23 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
St. John's University-New York Higher acceptance rate (10.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 19 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 80% | $69,571 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Farmingdale State College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/farmingdale-state-college/analysis.
Mobility Engine: strong outcomes with accessible admission
Farmingdale State College ranks #82 nationally with excellent mobility performance at the 93.5th percentile, demonstrating top-tier ability to convert educational access into economic advancement. Located in Farmingdale, New York, this medium-sized public college maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 69.1% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
The institution enrolls 35.8% Pell-eligible students and 39.7% first-generation students, reflecting its commitment to serving diverse student populations. Graduates earn $17,800 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 93.2nd percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $69,781 ten years after enrollment, placing Farmingdale State at the 86th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. Compared to a peer median of $50,116, graduates earn $19,665 more annually.
This combination of accessible admission, above-average access for low-income students, and strong economic outcomes positions Farmingdale State firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant.
For prospective students, this means that while admission is achievable for many qualified applicants, the process requires genuine academic preparation rather than representing an automatic acceptance. Students should approach Farmingdale State as a solid target school if their academic credentials align with admitted student profiles, but should include less selective backup options in their college list.
The institution's combination of accessible admission with strong post-graduation outcomes makes it attractive to students seeking practical, career-focused education with clear return on investment.
Farmingdale State College graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout their early careers. Median earnings rise from $55,901 six years after enrollment to $63,080 at eight years and $69,781 at ten years, representing 24.8% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 932 to 1,061 graduates, providing confidence in the reported figures across all time horizons. The institution generates $17,800 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Farmingdale State in the 93.2nd percentile for this critical measure of institutional effectiveness.
Low-income graduates earn $53,200, demonstrating the institution's ability to support economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Earnings span from $43,364 at the 25th percentile to $99,020 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
The 2.3:1 ratio between the 75th and 25th percentiles indicates meaningful variation in outcomes while maintaining strong performance across the distribution. Approximately 28.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, with medium confidence in this estimate based on program mix analysis.
Farmingdale State College offers 19 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, reflecting focused program offerings in high-demand technical and professional fields. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #17 nationally and #7 in New York, producing 102 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $111,965 and a value score of 94.2.
Criminalistics and Criminal Science ranks #1 nationally and #1 in New York, graduating 245 students with median earnings of $57,524 and a perfect value score of 100.0. Computer Game Programming ranks #4 nationally and #2 in New York, with 141 graduates earning $61,028.
Business Administration and Management serves as the institution's largest program, graduating 432 students annually with median earnings of $57,869 and ranking #73 nationally. Applied Behavior Analysis ranks #5 nationally and #2 in New York, while Audio Engineering Technology ranks #5 nationally and #2 in New York.
Several programs hold the #1 ranking in New York state, including Science, Technology and Society, Criminalistics, and Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science, demonstrating the institution's leadership in specialized technical fields.
Monmouth University Higher acceptance rate (20.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 45 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NJ | 90% | $67,991 | Compare |
Iona University Higher acceptance rate (22 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 22 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 91% | $73,595 | Compare |
Roger Williams University Higher acceptance rate (18.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | RI | 88% | $70,266 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Higher acceptance rate (23 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MA | 92% | $68,804 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University-Bakersfield Similar quality tier (#81 ranked) | CA | 88% | $59,009 | #81 | Compare |
University Of Houston-Downtown Similar quality tier (#83 ranked) | TX | 91% | $53,551 | #83 | Compare |
Cuny New York City College Of Technology Similar quality tier in Northeast (#79 ranked) | NY | 81% | $49,365 | #79 | Compare |
Texas A & M International University Similar quality tier (#84 ranked) | TX | 46% | $48,386 | #84 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Similar quality tier (#75 ranked) | NC | 19% | $72,200 | #75 | Compare |
