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 gives you a solid, unspectacular financial return. You pay under $19k a year and come out with median debt below $20k, which is manageable against the $60k median earnings a decade out. The 70% graduation rate and 78% retention mean most who enroll finish, so you are not paying for years that end in nothing.
The program earnings tell a harder story than the school-wide median. Accounting is your best-paying major at graduation, but it also carries $27k in debt, the highest on the list, so the payoff comes with the heaviest borrowing. Computer science pays less at the start yet leaves you with $6,500 less debt, making it the cleaner deal. Teacher education and business economics both land in the mid-$40k range with lighter debt, which fits Oneonta's regional role as a school feeding upstate New York schools and small businesses. Family and consumer sciences pays the least and should give you pause if debt is a concern.
The gap between the $60k school-wide median and these low-to-mid $40k starting figures is the real risk here. Early earnings across every listed program sit well under the median, so the strong overall number depends on career growth you cannot count on in your first years.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay about $11,700. over $110k, you pay nearly $25,000, more than double. If your family earns under $48k, Oneonta is a genuinely affordable in-state option. If you are paying the top-tier price for a lower-earning major like family and consumer sciences, the math gets thin. This school fits you if you want accounting, CS, or teaching at a low-debt public price.
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.