SUNY at Purchase College
SUNY at Purchase College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
SUNY at Purchase College at a Glance
Purchase College, officially the State University of New York College at Purchase and also commonly referred to as SUNY Purchase, is a public liberal arts college in Purchase, New York. Established in 1967 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Purchase College is one of 13 comprehensive colleges in the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
1967
59 years old
3,410
3,314 undergrad · 96 grad
500 acres
Identity
Is SUNY at Purchase College Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, SUNY at Purchase College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,092 — 16% below average — while paying $18,913/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at SUNY at Purchase College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How SUNY at Purchase College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #64 of 126 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #64 | SUNY at Purchase College | 37 | $18,913 | $45,092 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of SUNY at Purchase College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in NY.
Best Programs at SUNY at Purchase College
The highest-earning program at SUNY at Purchase College is Visual and Performing Arts, Other at $34,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $13,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Visual and Performing Arts, Other graduate from SUNY at Purchase College earns $34,100, while a Music graduate earns $13,800. 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: Visual and Performing Arts, Other graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $19,500 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,913/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | $34,100 | $34,100 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $20,500 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $25,400 | $25,400 | $21,250 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,100 | $24,100 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $23,500 | $23,500 | $20,458 |
| Journalism | $23,300 | $23,300 | $23,634 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $23,000 | $23,000 | $20,500 |
| Sociology | $21,400 | $21,400 | $21,410 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $21,400 | $21,400 | N/A |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $21,000 | $21,000 | $25,000 |
| Literature | $20,500 | $20,500 | $25,350 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $20,100 | $20,100 | $22,109 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,300 | $18,300 | $23,500 |
| Dance | $13,800 | $13,800 | $26,000 |
| Music | $13,800 | $13,800 | $19,500 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Purchase, NY
- Student Body
- 3,197 students
- Admission Rate
- 74%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,913
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,092
- Median Student Debt
- $21,067