State University of New York at New Paltz
State University of New York at New Paltz — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
State University of New York at New Paltz at a Glance
The State University of New York at New Paltz is a public university in New Paltz, New York, United States. It traces its origins to the New Paltz Classical School, a secondary institution founded in 1828 and reorganized as an academy in 1833.
1828
198 years old
7,147
6,113 undergrad · 1,034 grad
257 acres
Identity
How to Apply to State University of New York at New Paltz
Official admissions pageNovember 15 (Early Action)
$50
Is State University of New York at New Paltz Worth It?
State University of New York at New Paltz offers moderate value at $18,809/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,073, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How State University of New York at New Paltz compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #11 of 53 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | University of Florida-Online | 100 | $4,815 | $71,588 |
| #4 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #5 | Fashion Institute of Technology | 67 | $19,095 | $62,696 |
| #6 | Ramapo College of New Jersey | 66 | $18,173 | $67,541 |
| #11 | State University of New York at New Paltz | 54 | $18,809 | $58,073 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of State University of New York at New Paltz's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in NY.
Best Programs at State University of New York at New Paltz
The highest-earning program at State University of New York at New Paltz is Accounting and Related Services at $41,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Anthropology at $14,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from State University of New York at New Paltz earns $41,100, while a Anthropology graduate earns $14,800. 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: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $16,500 in median debt vs. $19,875 for Anthropology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,809/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $41,100 | $41,100 | $16,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,000 | $41,000 | $16,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $39,600 | $39,600 | $20,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $34,500 | $34,500 | $15,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,000 | $34,000 | $19,000 |
| Marketing | $33,300 | $33,300 | $17,812 |
| Journalism | $30,400 | $30,400 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,300 | $29,300 | $19,186 |
| Psychology, General | $28,200 | $28,200 | $17,699 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,900 | $27,900 | $17,203 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $27,600 | $27,600 | $19,250 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $27,600 | $27,600 | $26,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $27,000 | $27,000 | $21,496 |
| Sociology | $26,400 | $26,400 | $18,046 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $18,157 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $24,800 | $24,800 | $20,500 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $24,700 | $24,700 | $20,458 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $24,600 | $24,600 | $20,354 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $23,500 | $23,500 | $20,500 |
| History | $22,700 | $22,700 | $17,088 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,500 | $21,500 | $18,750 |
| Biology, General | $19,600 | $19,600 | $17,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $19,200 | $19,200 | $23,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $16,500 | $16,500 | $20,500 |
| Anthropology | $14,800 | $14,800 | $19,875 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- New Paltz, NY
- Student Body
- 6,086 students
- Admission Rate
- 62%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,809
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,073
- Median Student Debt
- $18,750