A new Forbes poll of "Best Value Colleges" places Farmingdale State College in the top 24% of the nearly 700 colleges and universities reviewed for the poll. Only 300 schools were actually ranked.
The list evaluated both public and private colleges and universities offering four-year degrees, in all 50 states.
Farmingdale placed high in six areas: quality, net price, net debt, alumni earnings, timely graduation, access for low-income students. Said Forbes: "Our focus highlights schools with the highest quality and best financial outcomes."
Farmingdale's ranking was tops among SUNY colleges of technology, and second among all SUNY Long Island schools.
The survey also considered average federal debt load per student. Farmingdale students graduate with an average indebtedness of $16,000, compared to SUNY's $23,000 - $25,000 average.
Farmingdale students not only graduate with a low debt load, they also find jobs right after graduation and earn competitive incomes, according to a College survey of 2017 – 2018 graduates.
The survey revealed that 94% of baccalaureate degree recipients are employed and/or continuing their education within six months of graduation. Of that group, 73% are working full-time and 95% are working in Metro New York, with the majority (82%) working on Long Island.
Seventy-one percent of employed respondents are working in a new job related to their
degree or continuing in a related job. Fifty-eight percent earn between $40,000 -
$60,000.
The new SUNY Gradwages Dashboard says the annual median wage 10 years after graduation
is $75,120. Among the College majors that produce the highest first-year earnings
are Nursing ($90K), Medical Laboratory Science ($61K), Dental Hygiene ($50.5K), Mechanical
Engineering Technology ($51K), Construction Engineering Technology ($51K), and Electrical
Engineering Technology ($48K).
