SUNY Buffalo State University

What are the graduation rates for students at SUNY Buffalo State University?

Graduation rates at SUNY Buffalo State University are notably low compared to national standards. The overall graduation rate stands at 36%, placing the institution in the bottom 15% nationally. This suggests that just over one-third of students complete their programs within the expected timeframe.

When broken down by gender, male students graduate at a rate of 30%, while female students graduate at a higher rate of 41%. Both figures remain within the lower 15% bracket, indicating persistent challenges across genders in progressing to degree completion promptly.

Examining specific time frames, only 25% of students achieve graduation within four years, ranking in the bottom 20% of institutions. This four-year graduation percentage underscores the extended time many students require beyond traditional timelines.

Considering a longer horizon, the six-year graduation rate is also at 36%, confirming that just over a third of students finish their degrees even with additional time allowed. This low graduation success rate may reflect various factors affecting student persistence and completion.

Retention rates, which often predict graduation success, are especially low at SUNY Buffalo State University. The first-year retention rate is just 55%, one of the lowest nationally, landing in the bottom 10%. Such retention challenges typically impact subsequent graduation outcomes profoundly.

What is the earning potential for graduates at SUNY Buffalo State University?

Graduates of SUNY Buffalo State University experience a varied range of earning potentials depending on their chosen field of study. Those who pursue industrial production technologies or related technician programs tend to achieve some of the highest earnings, with annual salaries reaching approximately $62,019 for industrial production technologies and $55,172 for mechanical engineering-related technologies. Electrical engineering technologies also offer strong earning prospects, averaging around $48,939.

Students earning degrees in business administration, management, and operations can expect solid returns, with mean earnings near $37,646. Similarly, graduates in information science or studies report earnings averaging about $36,405, reflecting the value of expertise in this rapidly evolving sector.

Degrees related to dietetics and clinical nutrition services provide annual earnings around $38,709, showcasing promising opportunities in the health and nutrition fields. Social science majors such as social work and economics reveal competitive salaries, with averages of $33,534 and $36,130 respectively, while criminal justice and corrections yield a median income near $32,852.

Among the sciences, graduates with general biology and psychology degrees can anticipate earnings in the low $30,000 range, specifically $30,437 for biology and $30,625 for psychology, illustrating a consistent, moderate earning potential. Geological and earth sciences graduates earn on average $32,017, slightly higher than other science disciplines provided.

Education-related fields present a mixed but notable picture: teacher education focused on specific levels and methods sees median earnings of $27,003, whereas specialization in specific subject areas increases this figure to about $29,825. Special education and teaching report lower average earnings near $20,151, indicating a variation within education careers.

Graduates in communication and media-related studies also experience varied earnings. For example, those in audiovisual communications technologies or technicians earn approximately $26,612, while communication and media studies in general earn slightly less at $25,844. Political science and government majors find median annual incomes near $28,631, and sociology graduates earn around $29,388, reinforcing a moderate earnings spectrum among social science disciplines.

Students pursuing liberal arts and sciences with a broader general studies focus report average earnings of $27,658, close to family and consumer economics graduates who earn about $27,193. Fine and studio arts yield incomes near $27,129, highlighting modest financial outcomes in creative fields.

Hospitality administration and management degree holders see median earnings estimated at $31,023, a competitive middle ground for those interested in service industry leadership roles.