Siena University
Siena University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Siena University at a Glance
Siena University, formerly Siena College, is a private Franciscan university in Loudonville, New York, United States. It was founded by the Order of Friars Minor in 1937 and is named after the Franciscan friar Bernardino of Siena. The university enrolls approximately 3,600 students and offers undergraduate and graduate programs through three schools in business, liberal arts, and science. Siena competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Metro Conference.
1937
89 years old
$200M
$200 million (2026)
3,623
3,497 undergrad · 126 grad
350
174 acres
Identity
Is Siena University Worth It?
Siena University offers moderate value at $33,733/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $76,079, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 75% graduation rate means roughly 25% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Siena University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #36 of 64 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #2 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #5 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #6 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 55 | $22,900 | $65,607 |
| #36 | Siena University | 42 | $33,733 | $76,079 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Siena University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in NY.
Best Programs at Siena University
The highest-earning program at Siena University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $59,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Political Science and Government at $24,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Siena University earns $59,500, while a Political Science and Government graduate earns $24,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Political Science and Government.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $33,733/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $59,500 | $59,500 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $47,400 | $47,400 | $25,000 |
| Economics | $44,800 | $44,800 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,400 | $44,400 | $23,800 |
| Marketing | $43,100 | $43,100 | $25,701 |
| Psychology, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $24,300 | $24,300 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Loudonville, NY
- Student Body
- 3,409 students
- Admission Rate
- 69%
- Graduation Rate
- 75%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $33,733
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $76,079
- Median Student Debt
- $26,561