SUNY at Fredonia
SUNY at Fredonia — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
SUNY at Fredonia at a Glance
The State University of New York at Fredonia is a public university in Fredonia, New York, United States. It is the westernmost member of the State University of New York. Founded in 1826, it is the seventh-oldest college in New York, and second-oldest public school in New York after SUNY Potsdam (1816).
1826
200 years old
$59M
$58.5 million (2025)
3,174
2,791 undergrad · 483 grad
256 acres
Identity
Is SUNY at Fredonia Worth It?
SUNY at Fredonia offers moderate value at $15,897/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,247, 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 52% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How SUNY at Fredonia compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #32 of 86 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 | Snow College | 83 | $5,552 | $41,022 |
| #5 | Saint Johns River State College | 80 | $6,135 | $41,728 |
| #6 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #32 | SUNY at Fredonia | 44 | $15,897 | $54,247 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of SUNY at Fredonia's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in NY.
Best Programs at SUNY at Fredonia
The highest-earning program at SUNY at Fredonia is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $41,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Leisure and Recreational Activities at $18,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from SUNY at Fredonia earns $41,400, while a Leisure and Recreational Activities graduate earns $18,700. 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 $22,268 in median debt vs. $24,108 for Leisure and Recreational Activities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,897/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 | $41,400 | $41,400 | $22,268 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $37,400 | $37,400 | $25,250 |
| Information Science/Studies | $37,300 | $37,300 | $26,663 |
| Marketing | $36,600 | $36,600 | $24,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $34,700 | $34,700 | $24,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,000 | $33,000 | $25,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $32,100 | $32,100 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,200 | $30,200 | $22,250 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $28,600 | $28,600 | $26,146 |
| Social Work | $28,500 | $28,500 | $22,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $27,100 | $27,100 | $26,887 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,200 | $26,200 | $26,970 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $25,700 | $25,700 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $25,700 | $25,700 | $22,875 |
| Political Science and Government | $25,100 | $25,100 | $21,500 |
| History | $24,900 | $24,900 | $27,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $22,600 | $22,600 | $23,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,600 | $22,600 | $24,829 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $22,500 | $22,500 | $21,667 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $22,000 | $22,000 | $22,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $21,400 | $21,400 | $27,000 |
| Music | $21,100 | $21,100 | $27,000 |
| Leisure and Recreational Activities | $18,700 | $18,700 | $24,108 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fredonia, NY
- Student Body
- 2,755 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,897
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,247
- Median Student Debt
- $24,250