At $16,547/yr net price, SUNY College at Plattsburgh graduates earn $56,403/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,403/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,547 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $66,188 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,403/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,403/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,196 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,585/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,591/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,685/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,575/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,723/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 | $71,095 | $21,375 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $71,015 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $64,493 | |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Bachelor | $59,350 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $55,512 | $22,973 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $50,856 | $26,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $50,105 | $39,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $46,790 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $46,321 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $42,363 | $19,500 |
The Risk Factor
58.8% of students at SUNY College at Plattsburgh 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
SUNY Plattsburgh gives you a solid financial return with low debt, and that low debt is the safest part of the deal. You borrow around $21K to graduate, which the median earnings of $56,403 ten years out cover without straining you. The math works for most majors here.
Nursing is the clear winner. It pays over $71K while keeping debt in line with the school average, so you come out ahead fast. Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science follows close behind. Business and Management Information Systems land in the mid-to-upper $50Ks with reasonable debt. Finance is the outlier to watch: it pays the least of the top five at around $51K but carries the highest debt at $26,500, so the gap between what you borrow and what you earn is tighter than in any other listed program.
The main risk is finishing. The 58.8% graduation rate and 71% retention mean roughly three in ten of you leave after the first year, and leaving with debt but no degree is where this school hurts people. The North Country location around Plattsburgh also means fewer local employers, so the healthcare and business jobs that justify these numbers may require you to move.
Family income changes the deal sharply. Under $30K, you pay about $10,585 a year, and any of the top programs pay that back easily. Over $110K, your price jumps to $23,723, more than double the lowest tier, which pushes total cost past $90K for four years. At that price, a lower-paying major stops making sense.
Pick this school if you want nursing, lab science, or business and can finish in four years. Look elsewhere if you're paying the top tier and unsure of your major, or if you need a job market denser than northern New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY College at Plattsburgh worth the cost?
SUNY Plattsburgh offers decent value with a net price of $16,547 and graduates earning $56,403 after 10 years. The nursing programs stand out with starting salaries around $71,000, but the 59% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at SUNY College at Plattsburgh?
Nursing programs top the earnings list at $71,095, followed by educational administration at $71,015. Business and management programs pay around $55,000-$59,000, which is closer to the school average.
How much debt do SUNY College at Plattsburgh graduates have?
Typical graduates leave with $21,196 in debt, which is manageable given the $56,403 starting salary. Nursing graduates can easily handle this debt load, but other majors may struggle more with loan payments.
What is the graduation rate at SUNY College at Plattsburgh?
Only 59% of students graduate, which is below average for four-year colleges. This low completion rate increases the risk of taking on debt without getting a degree to show for it.