Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Buffalo State vary significantly by field of study, with engineering technology and information science programs leading earnings while education and liberal arts programs prioritize different career paths. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not prestige or reputation.
Analyzing 28 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size.
$34K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Suny Buffalo State University.
Engineering & Technology programs at Buffalo State deliver exceptional career outcomes, with Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology ranking #5 nationally and producing graduates earning $79,418. Information Science/Studies also performs strongly at #39 nationally with earnings of $58,684.
These programs demonstrate Buffalo State's technical strengths and provide clear pathways to high-demand careers in aerospace and technology sectors.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Engineering Technology/Technician.Small sample | — |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation labor market outcomes using federal College Scorecard data, which tracks earnings and debt levels for graduates entering the workforce. Rankings are based on graduate earnings, value scores that account for debt-to-earnings ratios, and cohort sizes that indicate program scale and institutional commitment. Programs at the same institution show different outcomes because career paths, industry demand, and graduate school preparation vary significantly by field of study. Strong programs like Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology (#5 nationally) reflect both Buffalo State's program quality and market demand for technical skills, while programs like General Studies serve different educational goals including graduate school preparation and career flexibility. These data provide transparent comparisons of program-level outcomes to inform student choice, though individual results depend on career decisions, work experience, and economic conditions after graduation.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| $82,564★ |
| — |
| 8 |
| Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician. | #5 | $79,418 | — | 39 |
| Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician. | #23 | $63,306 | — | 21 |
| Information Science/Studies. | #45 | $58,684 | — | 70 |
Business & Economics programs show solid outcomes with Applied Economics graduates earning $56,086 while Business Administration and Management, the university's largest program with 176 graduates, produces median earnings of $50,668. The Business Administration program ranks #185 nationally but serves as a cornerstone program.
These programs offer accessible pathways to business careers with reasonable debt levels.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #182 | $50,668★ | $16,197 | 176 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management. | #73 | $35,310 | — | 50 |
Health programs, including Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist, produce graduates earning $48,207 with enrollment of 22 students. This specialized program ranks #20 nationally, demonstrating Buffalo State's strength in preparing students for healthcare careers.
The program combines solid earnings potential with opportunities for professional growth in expanding healthcare markets.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist. | #23 | $48,207 | — | 22 |
Sciences programs show varied outcomes, with Biology graduates earning $37,217 from a cohort of 38 students. While earnings are moderate compared to engineering fields, these programs often serve as preparation for graduate school or healthcare careers.
Students should consider these programs as foundational preparation for advanced study rather than immediate career entry.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Number Theory.Small sample | — | $41,449★ | — | 6 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology.Small sample | #88 | $39,544 | — | 10 |
| Analytical Chemistry.Small sample | — | $38,289 | — | 8 |
| Biology, General. | #354 | $37,217 | — | 38 |
Social Sciences programs reflect Buffalo State's commitment to serving diverse career paths. Psychology graduates earn $39,963 while Applied/Public Sociology graduates earn $39,177.
These programs typically serve students pursuing graduate education or careers in social services, with earnings reflecting early-career public service trajectories rather than immediate financial returns.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #155 | $56,086★ | — | 41 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #259 | $45,945 | — | 21 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #105 | $42,984 | — | 62 |
| Psychology, General. | #243 | $39,963 | $10,757 | 83 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #199 | $39,177 | — | 55 |
Communications programs, including Audiovisual Communications Technologies, serve smaller cohorts with 28 graduates earning $33,902. This program ranks #4 nationally and #1 in New York, showing Buffalo State's specialized strength in media and communications technology despite moderate enrollment numbers and earnings that reflect early-career media industry patterns.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Other. | #3 | $33,902★ | — | 28 |
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia.Small sample | — | $21,781 | — | 7 |
Humanities programs include General Studies, which serves 126 graduates annually with median earnings of $36,769, and American History with earnings of $38,005. These programs offer broad liberal arts preparation that supports diverse career paths and graduate school preparation, with earnings reflecting the varied nature of post-graduation trajectories in these flexible fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #109 | $38,909★ | — | 22 |
| American History (United States). | #243 | $38,005 | — | 24 |
| General Studies. | #121 | $36,769 | $15,525 | 126 |
| Catalan Language and Literature.Small sample | — | $30,409 | — | 5 |
| Brass Instruments.Small sample | — | $30,383 | — | 9 |
| Acting.Small sample | #162 | $19,009 | — | 19 |
Education programs at Buffalo State serve diverse teaching and educational administration roles. Adult and Continuing Education ranks #44 nationally with graduates earning $41,942, while Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #59 nationally.
These programs prepare graduates for public service careers with steady earnings growth potential and meaningful community impact, though earnings typically trail technical fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #21 | $49,909★ | — | 20 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #42 | $41,942 | $14,180 | 112 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #62 | $41,567 | $15,003 | 48 |
Buffalo State's Criminal Justice programs excel nationally, with Corrections Administration ranking #22 in the nation and #3 in New York. Graduates earn $50,353 with strong value scores of 89.0, indicating excellent return on investment.
This program represents one of Buffalo State's flagship offerings, combining high national rankings with strong career outcomes in law enforcement and corrections fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #22 | $50,353 | $12,100 | 145 |
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.
