State University of New York at Plattsburgh
State University of New York at Plattsburgh — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
State University of New York at Plattsburgh at a Glance
The State University of New York at Plattsburgh is a public university in Plattsburgh, New York, United States. The university was founded in 1889 and officially opened in 1890. The university is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. SUNY Plattsburgh has 5,109 students, of whom 4,680 are undergraduates.
1889
137 years old
$34M
$33.7 million (2025)
4,561
3,831 undergrad · 730 grad
221
300 acres
Identity
Is State University of New York at Plattsburgh Worth It?
State University of New York at Plattsburgh offers moderate value at $17,156/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $56,403, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How State University of New York at Plattsburgh compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #30 of 109 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 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #2 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #3 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #4 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #5 | University of Michigan-Flint | 81 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
| #6 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #30 | State University of New York at Plattsburgh | 48 | $17,156 | $56,403 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of State University of New York at Plattsburgh's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in NY.
Best Programs at State University of New York at Plattsburgh
The highest-earning program at State University of New York at Plattsburgh is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $18,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from State University of New York at Plattsburgh earns $67,700, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $18,300. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $21,500 in median debt vs. $20,500 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,156/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,700 | $67,700 | $21,500 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $50,800 | $50,800 | $25,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $39,600 | $39,600 | $24,182 |
| Marketing | $38,800 | $38,800 | $22,939 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,900 | $36,900 | $21,875 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $36,600 | $36,600 | $20,395 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $33,600 | $33,600 | $24,400 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $31,600 | $31,600 | $21,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $31,000 | $31,000 | $18,880 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,700 | $30,700 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $30,500 | $30,500 | $20,355 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $30,300 | $30,300 | $22,871 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $29,100 | $29,100 | $24,200 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,800 | $28,800 | $23,625 |
| Social Work | $28,600 | $28,600 | $24,804 |
| Sociology | $28,100 | $28,100 | $24,000 |
| Psychology, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | $20,200 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $26,500 | $26,500 | $18,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,500 | $26,500 | $20,346 |
| Journalism | $26,400 | $26,400 | $21,116 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,100 | $26,100 | $19,807 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,900 | $18,900 | $19,751 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $18,300 | $18,300 | $20,500 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Plattsburgh, NY
- Student Body
- 3,769 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,156
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,403
- Median Student Debt
- $21,196