Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University At Albany vary significantly by field of study, with some majors producing graduates earning over $80,000 while others focus on public service careers with more modest financial returns. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation, helping students understand how different academic pathways translate into post-graduation outcomes.
Analyzing 25 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that demonstrate exceptional performance across earnings, national rankings, and student enrollment.
#14 nationally
$38K 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, national rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University At Albany.
Technology programs focus on emerging fields with strong market demand. Artificial Intelligence ranks #50 nationally, graduating 129 students with median earnings of $69,386 and manageable debt levels.
Computer Support Specialist serves 47 graduates annually but shows lower earnings at $45,637, reflecting the program's focus on foundational technical skills. These programs benefit from excellent debt affordability with standard payoff timelines under 10 years.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence. | #47 | $69,386★ | $18,955 | 129 |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation outcomes in the labor market rather than academic reputation or faculty quality. Earnings data comes from federal College Scorecard records tracking graduates 10 years after enrollment, providing objective measures of career outcomes by field of study. National rankings compare University At Albany programs against the same major at other institutions nationwide, while state rankings focus on New York institutions only. Debt levels represent median borrowing by program graduates, and value scores incorporate both earnings and debt to assess overall return on investment. Cohort sizes indicate program scale and data reliability, with larger programs providing more confidence in reported outcomes. Students should consider personal interests, career goals, and financial circumstances when evaluating program options, as individual outcomes vary significantly within each field.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| Computer Support Specialist. | #29 | $45,637 | $24,246 | 47 |
Business programs at University At Albany deliver consistently strong earnings outcomes with excellent national rankings. Accounting Technology ranks #13 nationally and produces graduates earning $80,462, while Business Administration ranks #28 nationally with $65,362 median earnings.
Applied Economics provides solid outcomes at $58,487 for 288 graduates annually. These programs represent excellent debt capacity with payments under 8% of discretionary income, making them highly sustainable career paths for students seeking financial stability.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #14 | $80,462★ | $26,474 | 138 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #26 | $65,362 | $20,543 | 304 |
Health programs show strong earnings potential with excellent national standings. Behavioral Aspects of Health ranks #15 nationally, producing graduates earning $66,859 with just 40 students annually, indicating specialized career preparation.
Forensic Social Work combines health and social services, graduating 26 students with earnings of $54,302. These smaller programs demonstrate excellent debt capacity and standard payoff timelines, reflecting strong employment demand in health-related fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #15 | $66,859 | — | 40 |
Science and mathematics programs offer diverse pathways with varying financial outcomes. Analytical Chemistry ranks #41 nationally with strong earnings of $57,546 for specialized careers.
Biology serves 237 graduates annually with median earnings of $46,952, reflecting the field's emphasis on graduate school preparation. Algebra and Number Theory produces earnings of $51,547 but shows lower value scores, indicating the importance of advanced education for mathematics graduates seeking optimal outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustics.Small sample | — | $57,690★ | — | 9 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #41 | $57,546 | — | 48 |
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #141 | $51,547 | — | 49 |
| Biology, General. | #100 | $46,952 | $18,178 | 237 |
Social sciences programs at University At Albany demonstrate strong national recognition with varied earnings trajectories. Psychology ranks #23 nationally, graduating the largest cohort of 318 students with median earnings of $49,362.
Applied/Public Sociology ranks #35 nationally with competitive outcomes at $47,666. American Government and Politics provides solid preparation for public service careers with earnings of $52,846.
These programs typically show good debt affordability with extended payoff periods reflecting public service career paths.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #89 | $58,487★ | $18,000 | 288 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #30 | $54,302 | — | 26 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #78 | $52,846 | $22,549 | 149 |
| Psychology, General. | #25 | $49,362 | $23,009 | 318 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #37 | $47,666 | $25,657 | 210 |
| Anthropology, General. | #49 | $41,534 | — | 21 |
Communication and Media Studies graduates 244 students annually, making it one of the university's larger programs, though earnings outcomes at $30,792 rank lower nationally. The program shows challenging debt affordability with payments exceeding 25% of discretionary income and potential negative amortization under income-driven repayment.
Students should carefully consider career planning and debt management strategies for this field.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Journalism. | #23 | $49,005★ | $14,244 | 42 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #237 | $30,792 | $24,355 | 244 |
Humanities programs provide strong liberal arts preparation with moderate earnings outcomes. English Language and Literature serves 104 graduates annually with median earnings of $40,861, while American History graduates 83 students earning $49,151.
These programs typically require extended payoff periods for student loans, reflecting career paths that prioritize intellectual development and public service over maximum earnings potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History (United States). | #49 | $49,151★ | $32,000 | 83 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #104 | $40,861 | $21,636 | 104 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #60 | $40,531 | — | 32 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #161 | $30,810 | — | 24 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics.Small sample | #106 | $19,227 | — | 13 |
Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management ranks #4 nationally and #1 in New York, graduating 215 students with earnings of $38,472. Despite lower earnings, the program's national leadership reflects University At Albany's recognized expertise in emergency management education.
Debt affordability shows manageable payments with very long payoff periods, typical of public service careers that prioritize social impact over maximum financial returns.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management. | #5 | $38,472 | $22,704 | 215 |
African Studies. leads other & interdisciplinary with 33K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African Studies. | #55 | $32,808★ | — | 24 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #72 | $29,823 | — | 30 |
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.
