Business Economics at State University of New York at Cortland

Cortland, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Managerial Economics
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,517/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (105,700 openings/yr)
ROI 20.6x earnings multiple (9.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #44 of 81 Business/Managerial Economics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business Economics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $759K $726K $636K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.5x 20.6x 18.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.1x 9.7x 8.5x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 58% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 61

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,260
Out-of-state: $74,900 (9.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,804
-126% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,470
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,120
85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $40,517 per year, Business Economics graduates from State University of New York at Cortland earn below the $53,330 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business Economics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Business Economics's typical career paths, with 53% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,470 represents roughly 6 months of the $40,517 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #44 of 81 Business Economics programs, State University of New York at Cortland falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $75,120 show a 85% jump from the $40,517 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About State University of New York at Cortland

State University of New York at Cortland accepts 51% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 5,896 students in Cortland, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at State University of New York at Cortland →

Top Career Paths

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
Financial risk specialists $106,000/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at State University of New York at Cortland

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Economics at State University of New York at Cortland?
This program scores 60/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Business Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Business Economics careers?
With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $635,588 in decade earnings vs $759,466 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Business Economics from State University of New York at Cortland?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →