At $16,055/yr net price, Maria College of Albany graduates earn $55,458/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,458/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,055 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $64,220 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,458/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,458/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 42.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,528 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,360/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,516/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,068/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,018/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $78,343 | $26,792 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $60,248 | $20,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $35,351 | $19,371 |
The Risk Factor
42.9% of students at Maria College of Albany graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Maria College of Albany runs on one financial engine: nursing. The bachelor's in Registered Nursing pays $78,343 a year ten years out, which sits roughly $23,000 above the school-wide median earnings. That gap tells you everything about where the value here concentrates. If you enroll in nursing, this school pays off, and Albany's hospital network gives you a local job market that hires the credential directly. If you enroll for something else, the data gives you no reason to expect that return, and the school-wide median is the number you should plan around.
The debt picture backs this up for nurses. Median debt across programs is modest, and even the nursing-specific debt of $26,792 gets covered quickly at a starting nursing salary. You can borrow for this degree and pay it down without strain.
The risk is the graduation rate. Fewer than half of students finish, so you carry real odds of leaving with debt and no degree. That flips the math hard: the net price is only worth it if you're the one who graduates, and the nursing salary only exists on the other side of a completed degree and a passed licensing exam. Weigh your own likelihood of finishing before you borrow.
On price, families earning under $48,000 pay around $14,400, while families in the $75,000-$110,000 range pay closer to $21,000. The cost climbs steadily as income rises, so middle-income families absorb the most.
Come here to become a nurse in the Albany area, and the numbers work. Come here undecided, or for a non-nursing path the data doesn't cover, and you're betting on a school where most of the proven return sits in one program you may not enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maria College of Albany worth the cost for nursing students?
Yes, if you complete the nursing program. Nursing graduates from Maria College earn around $78,000 annually, which easily justifies the $16,055 yearly cost and typical $20,528 debt load.
What is the return on investment for Maria College of Albany graduates?
ROI varies dramatically by program. Nursing graduates do well with $78,000 salaries, but allied health graduates average only $35,000, making debt repayment challenging.
How risky is attending Maria College of Albany financially?
Moderate to high risk due to the 43% graduation rate. With nearly 6 out of 10 students not finishing, you could end up with debt but no degree.
Do Maria College of Albany graduates get good financial aid?
The $16,055 net price suggests decent aid for a private college. However, the low graduation rate means many students may lose aid eligibility before completing their programs.