Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at State University of New York at Cortland vary significantly by field of study, with median earnings ranging from $32,925 in International Relations to $65,127 in Biology. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, national performance, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige.
Analyzing 20 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out for strong national rankings, above-average earnings, and substantial enrollment.
#25 nationally
$62K median earnings
Biology leads in median earnings at $65,127, followed by Business/Managerial Economics at $63,367 and Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed at $61,537. These outcomes reflect labor market demand and career trajectory potential across different fields. High-earning programs span scientific, business, and specialized education tracks.
Multiple State University of New York at Cortland programs achieve exceptional national recognition. Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #5 nationally, Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed ranks #3 nationally, and Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology ranks #8 nationally. These rankings reflect post-graduation outcomes including earnings, employment rates, and program quality measures rather than subjective reputation assessments.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, cohort size, and value scores.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at State University Of New York At Cortland.
Business/Managerial Economics stands as the university's primary business offering, ranking #18 nationally and #3 in New York state. The program graduates 124 students annually with median earnings of $63,367, representing some of the highest compensation levels across all programs.
With a value score of 65.3, the program delivers solid return on investment despite higher debt levels of $33,269.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Managerial Economics. | #19 | $63,367 | $33,269 | 124 |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation outcomes including median earnings, debt levels, and value scores based on federal College Scorecard data. Rankings measure labor market performance rather than academic prestige or reputation. Outcomes vary within institutions because different fields lead to different career paths and salary ranges. Programs require minimum cohort sizes for federal reporting, ensuring statistical reliability but potentially excluding smaller specialized programs. Value scores combine earnings and debt to assess return on investment. State University of New York at Cortland's 15 programs represent a focused selection emphasizing education, health sciences, and applied fields that align with institutional strengths and regional employment needs.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Agricultural Teacher Education demonstrates exceptional value with a 97.1 score, combining solid earnings with manageable debt. Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed achieves 97.2 value score, while Adult and Continuing Education scores 95.4. These programs represent optimal combinations of career outcomes and educational investment.
Education programs generally offer excellent loan affordability, with most achieving Good ratings where payments represent 8-12% of discretionary income. Business/Managerial Economics and Biology achieve Excellent affordability ratings with payments under 8% of discretionary income. Most programs support standard 10-year payoff schedules without negative amortization concerns.
The health field at State University of New York at Cortland focuses on communication sciences and disorders. Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology ranks #8 nationally and #3 in New York state, producing 48 graduates with median earnings of $60,941 and a value score of 94.3.
This program represents one of the university's strongest outcomes-based offerings, combining clinical preparation with excellent post-graduation employment prospects in healthcare settings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #10 | $60,941★ | $34,077 | 48 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other.Small sample | #68 | $51,696 | — | 17 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy.Small sample | #23 | $46,350 | — | 19 |
Biology represents the primary science offering at State University of New York at Cortland, achieving #27 national ranking and #4 state ranking. The program produces 60 graduates earning $65,127 median salary, the highest across all university programs.
With a value score of 92.9, Biology demonstrates excellent outcomes for students pursuing healthcare preparation, research careers, or graduate study continuation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | #25 | $65,127★ | — | 60 |
| Algebra and Number Theory.Small sample | #119 | $63,953 | — | 19 |
Social science programs show varied outcomes reflecting diverse career paths and program focus. Criminology achieves the strongest performance with #4 national ranking and #1 state ranking, producing 59 graduates earning $55,104.
Psychology graduates 99 students with $49,143 earnings, while Applied/Public Sociology and American Government programs show more modest outcomes. International Relations presents the lowest earnings at $32,925, reflecting typical liberal arts career patterns.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminology. | #5 | $55,104★ | — | 59 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #207 | $53,451 | — | 34 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #63 | $50,654 | — | 48 |
| Psychology, General. | #49 | $49,143 | $28,096 | 99 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography.Small sample | — | $46,280 | — | 9 |
| International Relations and Affairs. | #71 | $32,925 | — | 20 |
Communication and Media Studies graduates 82 students annually with median earnings of $47,282, ranking #108 nationally. The program demonstrates moderate outcomes with a value score of 58.0 and manageable debt levels of $24,900.
This field suits students interested in media, public relations, and communication careers who prioritize creative fulfillment alongside financial sustainability.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #108 | $47,282 | $24,900 | 82 |
American History represents the university's humanities focus, graduating 42 students with median earnings of $47,034. The program ranks #89 nationally with a value score of 66.9, demonstrating solid outcomes for liberal arts education.
History programs typically prepare students for diverse career paths including education, law, public service, and graduate study.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History (United States). | #91 | $47,034★ | $28,076 | 42 |
| General Studies. | #154 | $40,898 | — | 42 |
| English Language and Literature, General.Small sample | #319 | $25,194 | — | 15 |
Education programs at State University of New York at Cortland demonstrate exceptional national performance with multiple top-10 rankings. Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #5 nationally with $52,869 earnings and 191 graduates, while Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed achieves #3 nationally with $61,537 earnings.
Adult and Continuing Education ranks #11 nationally. These programs combine strong employment outcomes with meaningful public service careers, making them ideal for students committed to educational excellence and community impact.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #3 | $61,537★ | — | 71 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #5 | $52,869 | $25,602 | 191 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #11 | $51,884 | $23,312 | 135 |
Exercise Science and Kinesiology represents the university's largest program with 300 graduates annually, ranking #30 nationally and #2 in New York state. Students earn median salaries of $49,343 with strong value scores of 86.2.
General Studies serves 42 students with more modest outcomes. These programs address diverse student interests from fitness and wellness to flexible degree completion.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #26 | $49,343 | $28,134 | 300 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
