At $26,027/yr net price, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $131,426/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $97,426/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $26,027 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $104,108 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $131,426/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$97,426/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,549/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,891/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,173/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,715/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,708/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $123,587 | $66,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
68.8% of students at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 31% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences produces one of the strongest earnings figures you'll find at a small private school: $131,426 a decade out, against a median debt of just $25,500. That debt-to-earnings ratio is the whole story here. You can pay off what you borrowed inside your first year of work, which almost no school can claim.
The catch is the gap between the school's ceiling and its bachelor's-level floor. The pharmacy career that drives the $131k median runs through a doctoral PharmD, not a four-year degree. The bachelor's programs listed tell a split story: clinical/medical laboratory science pays $63,005, a solid return for a four-year credential in the Albany healthcare corridor, home to major hospital systems that hire lab scientists. The bachelor's in pharmaceutical sciences reports just $28,598 with $27,000 in debt. If you stop after that bachelor's, your debt outweighs your first-year pay.
This is a good financial fit if you plan to finish the full pharmacy or health sciences track and work in the Northeast medical job market. It's a poor fit if you enroll expecting the headline salary from a four-year degree alone, or if you're unsure about committing to the longer clinical path.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families here. Under $30k, you pay about $15,549. over $110k, you pay $30,708. But the middle brackets barely differ from each other, so a household earning $50k pays nearly what a $100k household pays. The 85.59% retention rate suggests most first-years come back, and a 68.80% graduation rate is decent for a health-sciences school with a demanding curriculum. Weigh that unfinished-degree risk seriously, because the ROI collapses if you leave before the credential that pays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences worth the cost?
For pharmacy students, yes - graduates earn $123,587 ten years out, which justifies the $26,027 annual cost. However, other programs like clinical lab sciences pay significantly less at $63,005, making the value proposition much weaker.
What is the return on investment for Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
The ROI varies dramatically by program. Pharmacy graduates see strong returns with six-figure salaries, but the 68% graduation rate means nearly one in three students don't finish. Students should seriously consider their chosen program before enrolling.
How much debt do Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates have?
The median debt is $25,500, which is manageable for pharmacy graduates earning $123,000+ but problematic for those in lower-paying health science programs. Students in non-pharmacy tracks face significant debt-to-income challenges.
Are Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates employable?
Pharmacy graduates have strong employment prospects with high salaries, but the school's 68% graduation rate indicates many students struggle to complete their programs. Success depends heavily on which specific program you choose and whether you actually graduate.