SUNY College at Geneseo
SUNY College at Geneseo — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
SUNY College at Geneseo at a Glance
The State University of New York College at Geneseo is a public liberal arts college in Geneseo, New York, United States. It is the state's public honors college and part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The college was founded in 1867 as the "Wadsworth Normal and Training School" before it became part of the new State University of New York system as a state liberal arts college in 1948.
1871
155 years old
4,051
1,304 undergrad · 75 grad
220 acres
Identity
How to Apply to SUNY College at Geneseo
Official admissions page1 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Is SUNY College at Geneseo Worth It?
SUNY College at Geneseo delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $18,211/year, it's priced 11% below average, while graduates go on to earn $67,316 — 25% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 72% graduation rate means roughly 28% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How SUNY College at Geneseo compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #5 of 26 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 | University of Florida-Online | 100 | $4,815 | $71,588 |
| #2 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | 81 | $16,298 | $82,957 |
| #3 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 71 | $6,817 | $50,669 |
| #4 | Charter Oak State College | 68 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| #5 | SUNY College at Geneseo | 66 | $18,211 | $67,316 |
| #6 | Ramapo College of New Jersey | 66 | $18,173 | $67,541 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of SUNY College at Geneseo's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in NY.
Best Programs at SUNY College at Geneseo
The highest-earning program at SUNY College at Geneseo is Accounting and Related Services at $51,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $17,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from SUNY College at Geneseo earns $51,700, while a Biology, General graduate earns $17,900. 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 $19,000 in median debt vs. $22,297 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,211/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 | $51,700 | $51,700 | $19,000 |
| Economics | $42,800 | $42,800 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,000 | $40,000 | $22,594 |
| Mathematics | $38,000 | $38,000 | $23,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,900 | $37,900 | $19,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,400 | $30,400 | $19,500 |
| Psychology, General | $30,100 | $30,100 | $21,875 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $27,400 | $27,400 | $20,000 |
| Sociology | $26,700 | $26,700 | $21,525 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $20,750 |
| Political Science and Government | $25,700 | $25,700 | $21,500 |
| Biology, General | $17,900 | $17,900 | $22,297 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Geneseo, NY
- Student Body
- 3,869 students
- Admission Rate
- 66%
- Graduation Rate
- 72%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,211
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,316
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500