At $18,021/yr net price, SUNY College at Geneseo graduates earn $67,316/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $33,316/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,021 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $72,084 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,316/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$33,316/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 72.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,369/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,591/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,180/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,850/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,488/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $62,508 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $56,114 | $18,187 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $45,305 | $12,408 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $19,924 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $19,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $19,875 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $37,568 | $19,500 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $36,141 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $32,711 | $19,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $32,569 | $17,500 |
The Risk Factor
72.1% of students at SUNY College at Geneseo graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 28% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Geneseo gives you a solid financial return for a public liberal arts school. You graduate with about $19,500 in debt and earn a median that clears your total borrowing within the first year of work. A 72% grad rate and 84% retention mean most students who start actually finish, so you're unlikely to pay for time you don't get a degree from.
Accounting is the clear winner here. It pays roughly $56,000 starting out against debt that's actually lower than most other majors on campus, so your return per borrowed dollar is the best available. Economics and business administration land in the low $40,000s with similar debt loads, which is decent but a noticeable step down. Math and teacher education sit at the bottom near $38,000 to $39,000 while carrying the same or higher debt, so those majors give you the weakest payoff at this school. Choosing accounting over math here is a roughly $18,000-a-year earnings difference for nearly identical debt.
The specific risk is that Geneseo skews toward lower-paying fields. The listed program earnings run below the school's overall 10-year median, which suggests higher earners come from majors not shown or from graduate degrees. If you enter as an education or math major expecting a strong wage, plan for a longer climb.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. Under $30k, you pay about $9,400 a year. over $110k, that jumps to roughly $23,500. If your family earns under $48k, Geneseo is one of the more affordable four-year paths in New York. If you're paying the top-tier price to major in a low-earning field, the math gets tight, and you should compare against cheaper in-state options or push toward the higher-earning programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY College at Geneseo worth the cost compared to other SUNY schools?
Geneseo offers solid value with a $18,021 annual net price and $67,316 average earnings after 10 years, making it a decent mid-tier SUNY option. The 72% graduation rate is respectable but not outstanding for a state school.
What are the best paying majors at SUNY College at Geneseo?
Accounting graduates earn around $56,000-$62,500 starting out, making it the strongest ROI program at Geneseo. Education majors typically earn $45,305, which is low given the debt load, while business and economics graduates fall in between.
How much student debt do SUNY College at Geneseo graduates typically have?
The median debt is $19,500, which is manageable given the average $67,316 earnings 10 years after graduation. This debt-to-income ratio makes Geneseo a reasonable financial choice for most students.
Should I choose SUNY College at Geneseo over a community college or other four-year schools?
Geneseo makes sense if you want a traditional four-year experience and can get into accounting or business programs. For education majors or undecided students, starting at a community college might offer better value given the relatively modest earning outcomes.