At $14,295/yr net price, SUNY College at Potsdam graduates earn $47,866/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,866/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,295 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $57,180 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,866/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,866/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,948/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,590/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,617/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,141/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,966/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $43,798 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $43,712 | |
| Mathematics. | Master | $41,565 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $41,565 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $40,017 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $38,289 | $27,849 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $37,424 | $23,850 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $36,437 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $35,891 | $22,562 |
The Risk Factor
47.9% of students at SUNY College at Potsdam 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 Potsdam sits in a financial gray zone. The median graduate earns $47,866 ten years out, and the typical debt load of $24,250 is manageable against that number. But the 47.9% graduation rate is the problem here: fewer than half of you finish, and dropping out with debt and no degree is the worst outcome this school can hand you.
Your major decides almost everything. Computer science graduates earn $69,338, nearly double what most other programs here produce. That one degree pays for itself fast. The rest of the field is thin. The two teacher education programs land around $37,000 to $40,000, and both carry debt near or above what graduates earn in a year , teacher ed borrowers leave with $27,000 against a $40,017 salary. Communication, media studies, and business administration all cluster in the mid-$30,000s. Those are weak returns for a four-year degree in a rural corner of upstate New York where high-paying employers are scarce.
The regional risk is real. Potsdam is far from major job markets, so the education and business paths mostly feed local schools and small employers that pay accordingly. If you study computer science, you can leave the region and earn well. If you study anything else, the numbers say plan on modest pay.
The net price scales with income the way it should. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $8,948 a year. if it earns over $110,000, you pay $19,966. Lower-income families get real discounts here, which makes the affordable programs a reasonable bet at the bottom of the income scale.
Come here for computer science, or come here because your family income keeps the price low and you intend to teach in-state. Look elsewhere if you want a business or communication degree to pay for itself quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY College at Potsdam worth the cost compared to other colleges?
SUNY Potsdam offers below-average returns with median earnings of $47,866 ten years after graduation, which is low for a four-year degree. The low net price of $14,295 helps offset weak earnings, but the 48% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What programs at SUNY College at Potsdam have the best ROI?
Computer Science graduates earn $69,338, making it the clear winner for return on investment. Education and teaching programs pay around $43,000, which is typical for those fields but below national averages for college graduates.
How much debt do SUNY College at Potsdam graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $24,250, which is manageable compared to national averages. However, with starting salaries under $48,000 for most programs, loan payments will still take a significant portion of income.
Should I attend SUNY College at Potsdam if I want to major in education?
If you plan to teach in New York state and want low debt, Potsdam works as an affordable option. The education programs produce typical teacher salaries around $43,000, but job prospects in rural areas can be limited.