Family & Consumer Economicsat SUNY Buffalo State University
Graduates earn $28,180/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Family & Consumer Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $466K; scenarios range from $444K to $463K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Buffalo State
The data on this program highlights a crucial dynamic: while the coursework touches on important areas like personal finance and consumer behavior, many entry-level roles in this field often fall into community services, non-profits, or public education. These sectors, particularly within a regional economy like Buffalo, frequently offer more modest starting compensation compared to corporate finance or specialized consulting.
Your career path here might initially involve supporting financial literacy programs, community outreach, or home management education, rather than high-earning financial advisory roles which typically require additional certifications or advanced degrees. Furthermore, certain tasks within these broad fields are increasingly susceptible to automation, contributing to the noted AI risk. To elevate your trajectory, proactively seek internships that align with your highest earning aspirations, and be prepared to pursue further specialization or certifications immediately after graduation if you aim for the more lucrative financial advisory positions.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Buffalo State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Family & Consumer Economics
How Buffalo State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Buffalo State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Buffalo State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Family & Consumer Economics at Buffalo State
How does SUNY Buffalo State University's Family & Consumer Economics program score?
This program scores 25/100 — on the lower end for Family & Consumer Economics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Family & Consumer Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Family & Consumer Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Family & Consumer Economics earnings lower at SUNY Buffalo State University?
Lower starting pay at SUNY Buffalo State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.