SUNY Polytechnic Institute
SUNY Polytechnic Institute — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
SUNY Polytechnic Institute at a Glance
The State University of New York Polytechnic Institute is a public university in Marcy, New York, in the Utica–Rome metropolitan area. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, serving as its institute of technology. The institution was established as the Upper Division College at Herkimer/Rome/Utica in 1966.
1966
60 years old
2,891
2,200 undergrad · 710 grad
762 acres
Identity
How to Apply to SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Official admissions pageNovember 15 (Early Action)
$50
3 required
Recommendation letters
Is SUNY Polytechnic Institute Worth It?
SUNY Polytechnic Institute delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $14,164/year, it's priced 31% below average, while graduates go on to earn $64,355 — 20% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% 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 SUNY Polytechnic Institute compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #7 of 32 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 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #2 | University of Minnesota-Morris | 90 | $8,837 | $50,919 |
| #3 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #4 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #5 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 71 | $6,817 | $50,669 |
| #6 | Charter Oak State College | 68 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| #7 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute | 65 | $14,164 | $64,355 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of SUNY Polytechnic Institute's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NY.
Best Programs at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
The highest-earning program at SUNY Polytechnic Institute is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $62,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other at $23,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from SUNY Polytechnic Institute earns $62,900, while a Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other graduate earns $23,100. 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 $12,500 in median debt vs. $15,000 for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,164/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 | $62,900 | $62,900 | $12,500 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $58,400 | $58,400 | $15,375 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $55,500 | $55,500 | $20,610 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $54,300 | $54,300 | $18,888 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,300 | $51,300 | $15,000 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $45,900 | $45,900 | $20,083 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $41,600 | $41,600 | $15,159 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,000 | $35,000 | $17,241 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $34,300 | $34,300 | $20,000 |
| Information Science/Studies | $32,400 | $32,400 | $18,687 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $29,900 | $29,900 | $21,070 |
| Psychology, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $11,551 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $23,100 | $23,100 | $15,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Utica, NY
- Student Body
- 1,849 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,164
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,355
- Median Student Debt
- $17,250