Students at Farmingdale State College achieve remarkably strong financial outcomes while paying some of the lowest net prices among public institutions nationwide.
Graduates consistently earn more than expected compared with similar students elsewhere, creating exceptional value for families seeking affordable access to career-focused education.
Farmingdale State College delivers exceptional value as a specialized public institution in New York, combining affordable access with remarkably strong career outcomes. While Azimuth doesn't provide a specific national ranking for this institution, its performance across key metrics places it among the most effective public colleges for return on investment and economic mobility. Nearly 36% of students receive Pell Grants and about 40% are first-generation college students, yet graduates consistently achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations.
What makes Farmingdale distinctive is its focus on applied, career-oriented programs that lead directly to stable employment. The college's graduates earn a median of $69,781 ten years after enrollment, with many programs showing particularly strong outcomes in business, nursing, and technology fields. This performance reflects the institution's mission as a specialized college that prioritizes practical education and workforce preparation over traditional liberal arts breadth.
As a medium-sized public college on Long Island, Farmingdale offers the personal attention of a smaller institution while maintaining strong connections to New York's diverse job market. The combination of low net prices, manageable debt levels, and consistently strong graduate earnings makes it an outstanding choice for students who want clear, predictable pathways to financial success without the complexity or cost of larger research universities.
Farmingdale State College's program portfolio reflects its mission as a career-focused institution that prepares students for immediate workforce entry. Business Administration and Management leads both in scale and aggregate impact, graduating 432 students annually with solid mid-career earnings of $43,575. This program serves as the college's economic engine, combining substantial enrollment with reliable financial outcomes that support middle-class career advancement.
The college's specialized programs deliver particularly strong individual returns. Adult Health Nursing, though smaller with 102 graduates, produces exceptional earnings of $93,439, reflecting the premium that healthcare specializations command in the New York market. Science, Technology and Society, with 268 graduates earning $37,363, demonstrates the college's strength in applied technical education that meets regional workforce needs.
What distinguishes Farmingdale is how consistently its programs translate into stable, well-paying careers. Even Applied Behavior Analysis, the lowest-earning program at $30,771, provides graduates with specialized skills for growing fields in education and healthcare. The college's emphasis on practical, hands-on learning ensures that students across all majors develop job-ready competencies that employers value, contributing to the institution's exceptional graduate employment rates and earnings outcomes.
Farmingdale State College graduates achieve impressive long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $69,781, placing the college in the 85th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. Even more remarkable is the institution's value-added performance—graduates earn about $17,801 more than similar students at other institutions, representing one of the strongest earnings advantages among public colleges nationwide.
The college's career-focused approach shows clearly in its program outcomes. Business Administration and Management, the largest program with 432 graduates, produces solid mid-career earnings of $43,575 while serving as the institution's highest aggregate return major. Adult Health Nursing delivers exceptional individual outcomes with graduates earning $93,439, demonstrating the premium that specialized healthcare programs command. Science, Technology and Society, with 268 graduates, provides moderate but reliable earnings of $37,363, reflecting the college's strength in applied technical fields.
This strong return on investment stems from Farmingdale's emphasis on practical, workforce-oriented education. The college's programs are designed to meet specific industry needs, particularly in business, healthcare, and technology sectors where employers actively recruit. Most graduates enter careers with clear advancement pathways and steady earning potential, contributing to the institution's consistently above-average financial outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds.
Farmingdale State College stands out for its exceptional affordability across all income levels. Low-income students pay just $3,865 annually after aid, placing the college among the most affordable options in New York state. Middle-income families see net costs of $10,730 per year, while even high-income families pay only $16,356—remarkably reasonable for a quality public institution in the New York metropolitan area.
Debt levels remain highly manageable for most graduates. Typical federal student loan debt is $14,718, well below national averages and easily serviceable given the college's strong graduate earnings. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $18,824, a moderate level that reflects many families' ability to cover substantial costs through the low net prices rather than relying heavily on loans. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that virtually all borrowers successfully manage their repayment obligations.
What makes Farmingdale particularly sustainable financially is the relationship between what students pay and what they ultimately earn. With median graduate earnings approaching $70,000 and typical debt loads under $15,000, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard repayment while building wealth over time. The college's combination of low upfront costs and strong earning potential creates one of the most favorable debt-to-income ratios among public institutions in the region.
Farmingdale State College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
