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SUNY Oswego graduate Samantha Brown wearing a black cap and gown with honor cords and medals, holding a bouquet of white flowers while standing inside a modern campus building.

Graduating debt-free and building a future in tech

| 2 minutes to read

When Samantha Brown arrived at SUNY Oswego, she had a clear priority: earn a strong degree without carrying financial stress into her future. By the time she graduated in December 2025, she had achieved exactly that. Brown double majored in computer science and interaction design, graduating magna cum laude and completely debt-free.

Her preparation began before college. Through Mohawk Valley Community College, she completed 60 dual enrollment credits in high school, allowing her to enter Oswego with many general education requirements already finished.

“My parents didn’t pay any of my college expenses,” she said. “I didn’t have a secret advantage. I just learned graduating without debt was more doable than people often think.”

I didn’t have a secret advantage. I just learned graduating without debt was more doable than people often think.

Choosing value and opportunity

Affordability started with choosing a university that balanced academic quality with realistic costs. Brown prioritized academic quality, hands-on opportunities and long-term value when choosing where to enroll.

“Success isn’t about the name on the diploma alone. It’s about the work you put in, the experiences you pursue and the people you surround yourself with,” she said.

At Oswego, she found strong academic preparation alongside hands-on opportunities that supported her interests in software engineering, user experience (UX) design and emerging technology.

Two SUNY Oswego students collaborate at a whiteboard, writing and discussing ideas during a class activity.

Scholarships, leadership and real experience

Scholarships played an important role, including the Jessie E. and Jay D. Rudolph Scholarship. Brown encourages students to apply widely, including smaller awards that many students overlook.

“Small scholarships really add up,” she said. “Sometimes they only take a short application, and it really is worth the time.”

She also gained professional experience while helping offset costs. Brown worked as a Student Admissions Ambassador throughout college and completed internships in design and engineering, including with Pioneer and Sicura.

Beyond academics, she stayed highly involved. Brown served as president of the Human-Computer Interaction Organization, vice president of the Computer Science Association and director of SUNY Oswego’s first annual hackathon,