At $19,067/yr net price, SUNY at Purchase College graduates earn $45,092/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,092/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,067 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $76,268 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,092/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,092/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,067 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,320/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,753/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,148/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,454/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,346/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other. | Bachelor | $48,041 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $22,798 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $32,569 | |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Bachelor | $30,475 | $19,500 |
| Journalism. | Bachelor | $30,305 | $21,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,047 | $23,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $28,309 | $17,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $28,236 | $18,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $26,933 | $20,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $26,482 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
61.6% of students at SUNY at Purchase College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Purchase College sits in a tough spot financially. You'll pay a net price around $19,000 a year and earn a median of $45,092 a decade after enrolling. That median barely clears the sticker price, and it trails what many public four-year colleges return. Your median debt of about $21,000 is manageable in isolation, but only if your degree actually moves your income, and here most degrees don't.
The program data explains why. Math and statistics is the one bachelor's field that pays, clearing $48,000. Everything else listed lands lower. Purchase is known as an arts school, and the numbers show what that costs you: visual and performing arts grads earn about $38,000 while carrying roughly $23,000 in debt, the heaviest debt load among the top programs. Arts management and journalism sit near $30,000, below the school-wide median. If you enroll for the arts programs Purchase is built around, you're taking on real debt for some of the weakest earnings on this list.
The specific risk is finishing at all. Nearly one in five of you won't return after freshman year, and about 38% won't graduate. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and it's a live possibility here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay about $12,300. over $110k, you pay more than double that. If your family earns under $48k and you major in math or another quantitative field, the return can work. If you're paying the full $26,000 for an arts degree that returns $38,000, think hard about the math. Purchase fits you if the arts are the point and you accept the pay ceiling. If you need earnings, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY Purchase worth the money?
SUNY Purchase offers mixed value with graduates earning $45,092 after 10 years against $19,067 annual costs. The math and statistics programs show strong returns at $48,041, but arts programs typically earn $30,000-38,000, making debt management critical for creative majors.
What is the return on investment for SUNY Purchase College?
SUNY Purchase ROI varies dramatically by major, with mathematics graduates earning $48,041 versus arts management graduates at $30,475. The relatively low graduation rate of 62% and median debt of $21,067 mean many students don't complete their degree or graduate with debt that outpaces earning potential.
Do SUNY Purchase graduates have high student debt?
SUNY Purchase graduates carry median debt of $21,067, which is manageable for higher-earning majors like mathematics but problematic for arts graduates earning around $30,000. The debt-to-income ratio becomes concerning for students in the school's popular but lower-paying creative programs.
Which majors at SUNY Purchase College have the best job prospects?
Mathematics and statistics majors at SUNY Purchase earn the highest salaries at $48,041, making this the best ROI program. Visual and performing arts graduates earn significantly less at $38,289, while arts management and journalism majors start around $30,000.