At $18,833/yr net price, SUNY Oneonta graduates earn $60,386/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,386/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,833 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $75,332 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,386/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,386/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,812 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,716/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,318/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,775/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,935/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,749/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $55,286 | $27,000 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. | Master | $50,995 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $49,918 | $14,819 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $49,625 | $19,261 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $47,729 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $45,696 | $20,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $44,542 | $18,750 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor | $43,426 | $18,750 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $40,017 | |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor | $39,369 |
The Risk Factor
70.2% of students at SUNY Oneonta graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
SUNY Oneonta delivers modest returns that reflect its focus on education and social service careers rather than high-paying professional tracks. With median 10-year earnings around $60,000 and relatively low debt loads, you get decent value if your career goals align with the school's strengths.
Accounting stands out as the clear financial winner, though even this program produces starting salaries in the mid-50s with higher debt burdens. Education majors face the typical teaching salary reality but benefit from lower debt loads, making the financial picture more manageable. Dietetics and nutrition programs offer respectable earnings for health-focused careers.
Your biggest financial risk is choosing this school for career paths it doesn't serve well. SUNY Oneonta lacks strong programs in engineering, business, or technology fields that typically drive higher earnings. The 70% graduation rate means three in ten students leave without a degree but often with debt.
This school makes financial sense if you want to teach, work in healthcare support roles, or enter social services while keeping costs reasonable. The SUNY system's affordability helps, and the rural location keeps living costs manageable. Skip Oneonta if you're targeting high-earning fields like finance, tech, or engineering where other SUNY schools offer better pathways.
Financial aid reaches only about one-third of students, suggesting many families can handle the costs without significant assistance. The relatively low median debt of under $20,000 reflects both affordable tuition and the reality that many graduates enter modest-paying fields where higher debt loads would be problematic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY Oneonta worth the cost compared to other SUNY schools?
SUNY Oneonta's $18,833 net price is reasonable for a SUNY school, but graduates earn $60,386 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates. The 70% graduation rate and $19,812 median debt load are manageable numbers.
What are the best paying majors at SUNY Oneonta?
Accounting graduates from SUNY Oneonta earn around $55,286, making it the highest-paying program. Dietetics and education programs pay $47,000-$51,000, which is typical for those fields but won't generate high returns on investment.
Do SUNY Oneonta graduates have high student loan debt?
SUNY Oneonta graduates leave with a median debt of $19,812, which is lower than the national average. However, with typical starting salaries around $60,000, debt payments will still take up a significant portion of income.
Is SUNY Oneonta a good investment for education majors?
Education majors at SUNY Oneonta earn $47,000-$50,000 after graduation, which is standard for teaching but creates a challenging debt-to-income ratio. The program is solid for those committed to education, but expect modest financial returns.