Schenectady County Community College: $5,924 Tuition

$5,924Tuition

1,499Students

29%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$40,902Earnings

Public2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About Schenectady County Community College

This small community college serves 1,499 students in New York's Capital Region, offering career-focused programs and transfer pathways to four-year universities. The college emphasizes practical skills training and workforce development for the local economy. With a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, classes stay small enough for personalized attention. Students come almost entirely from New York state, with 99.38% classified as in-state residents.

The financial picture looks manageable for most families. Students from lower-income households pay just $3,091 net price annually, while even those from families earning over $110,000 pay $12,354. Graduates typically leave with $11,049 in debt and earn a median of $40,902 ten years after starting college. Monthly loan payments average $117, which represents a reasonable burden given typical graduate earnings. Only 8.67% of students take federal loans, suggesting many complete their programs debt-free.

Women make up 55.97% of the student body, reflecting trends in community college enrollment nationwide. The student population is 52.30% white and 20.15% Black, with significant Asian representation at 11.41%. Athletics remains minimal with just one varsity sport and six total athletes, as most students focus on academics and work responsibilities rather than campus life.

Academics & Faculty

Schenectady County Community College offers practical career training and transfer programs to serve the Capital Region's workforce needs. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personalized attention in smaller classes. The college is known for its strong nursing and health sciences programs, along with business and liberal arts pathways. However, the 29% six-year graduation rate reflects common community college challenges where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. The school emphasizes hands-on learning and industry connections. Students can complete associate degrees or certificates in fields like culinary arts, automotive technology, and computer information systems before entering the workforce or transferring to four-year institutions.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 29.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $40,902

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Legal Support Services.	Associate	$41,565
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other.	Associate	$36,141
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$31,492
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$28,212
Hospitality Administration/Management.	Associate	$27,048
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.	Associate	$26,121
Culinary Arts and Related Services.	Associate	$25,194
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$24,532

View all 72 programs →

Campus Life

Students at Schenectady County Community College navigate a small-city campus where 99.38% of classmates are from New York state. The college sits in Schenectady's urban core, about 15 miles northwest of Albany and three hours from New York City. Winter coats are essential here, as students trudge through snow and subfreezing temperatures from December through March. The Mohawk River runs nearby, and the historic Stockade District offers coffee shops and local restaurants within walking distance.

With 1,499 total students and a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, classes feel intimate rather than overwhelming. Most students commute to campus, creating a quieter weekend atmosphere compared to residential colleges. The Royals field just one varsity sport with only 6 total athletes, so school spirit centers more around academics and career preparation than athletics. Students often gather in the student center between classes or head to nearby Proctor's Theatre for entertainment. Many work part-time jobs in the greater Capital Region while completing their associate degrees.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1967

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 15°–32°F
July Avg: 62°–83°F
Annual Precipitation: 40.7"
Annual Snowfall: 59.2"

Student Demographics

This upstate New York community college draws almost entirely from local communities, with 99% of students calling New York home. The student body reflects Schenectady's working-class roots, with nearly a quarter qualifying for Pell Grants. Women outnumber men by a modest margin, typical for community colleges that emphasize healthcare and human services programs. The diverse racial mix mirrors the Capital Region's demographics, creating a learning environment where local students from different backgrounds prepare for careers or transfer to four-year institutions without leaving their home area.

Men: 44.0%
Women: 56.0%
White: 52.3%
Black: 20.2%
Hispanic: 4.7%
Asian: 11.4%
In-State Students: 99.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 23.9%

Location

Schenectady County Community College sits in Schenectady, New York, about 15 miles northwest of Albany in the Capital Region. The city of roughly 65,000 residents has deep industrial roots, once home to General Electric's massive manufacturing operations. With 99.38% of students coming from New York State, the college draws heavily from the local area and surrounding Capital District counties. The Mohawk River runs through this small city, which has been working to revitalize its downtown core after decades of industrial decline. The region offers a mix of urban amenities in nearby Albany and rural landscapes in the Adirondack foothills to the north. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare Schenectady County Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Schenectady, New York 12305

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $40,902
Median Earnings (5 years): $41,560
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,700
Loan Repayment Rate: 34.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $117/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $11,049

Frequently Asked Questions

How selective is Schenectady County Community College?

Like most community colleges, Schenectady County Community College maintains an open enrollment policy for students with high school diplomas or GEDs. The school serves as an accessible entry point to higher education in New York's Capital Region. With 1,499 students enrolled, it provides a close-knit learning environment where students can build academic skills before transferring or entering the workforce.

What does Schenectady County Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $5,298 after financial aid, making it one of the more affordable options in New York. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,091 net price, while those earning over $110,000 pay $12,354. The school keeps costs manageable with in-state tuition at $5,924 and reasonable living expenses in the small city setting.

What are class sizes like at Schenectady County Community College?

Students benefit from a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention in most classes. The college emphasizes hands-on learning and career preparation through its technical and transfer programs. Founded in 1967, the school has built strong connections with local employers in the Capital Region's manufacturing and healthcare sectors.

What career outcomes do graduates from Schenectady County Community College achieve?

Graduates earn a median salary of $40,902 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the school's focus on practical career training. However, only 29.20% of students complete their programs within six years, which is typical for community colleges serving many part-time and working students. Those who do graduate typically carry modest debt loads of $11,049 with monthly payments around $117.

Where is Schenectady County Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Schenectady, a small city in upstate New York known for its industrial heritage and proximity to Albany. With 99.38% of students coming from in-state, the campus serves primarily local residents who commute to classes. Athletic opportunities are limited, with just one varsity sport and six total athletes competing in the NCCAA.

Does Schenectady County Community College offer good financial aid support?

About 23.90% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating significant low-income enrollment at the college. The school provides institutional grants averaging $6,676 to 25.62% of students, helping to offset tuition costs. Only 8.67% of students take out federal loans, reflecting the college's affordability and the financial aid available to those who need it most.