At $13,882/yr net price, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $64,355/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $30,355/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,882 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $55,528 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,355/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$30,355/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,119/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,829/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,013/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,898/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,666/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. | Master | $96,627 | $42,988 |
| Bioethics/Medical Ethics. | Master | $91,744 | |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $75,518 | $20,975 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $64,358 | $13,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $23,649 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $60,523 | $17,104 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $59,711 | $18,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $59,124 | $20,500 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $58,221 | $22,442 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $19,750 |
The Risk Factor
59.2% of students at SUNY Polytechnic Institute 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 Polytechnic gives you a solid financial return for a public school, mostly because its degree lineup leans toward nursing and engineering. Median debt of $17,250 against $64,355 in earnings ten years out is a healthy ratio, and it means most graduates carry less than one year's salary in loans.
Nursing is the strongest bet here. You graduate with about $13,000 in debt and land near the school's top earnings, so your payback is fast. The engineering technology programs pay well too, but watch the debt: electrical engineering costs you roughly $23,600 in loans, nearly double what nursing graduates take on for similar pay. Civil and mechanical engineering technology sit in a better spot, with strong salaries and debt closer to the school's median.
This is a school built around technical and health careers. If you want those fields, the numbers work. There is no bachelor-level data here for humanities, business, or general liberal arts, so if that is your plan, you are betting on outcomes the data does not confirm.
The real risk is finishing. A 59% graduation rate and 68% retention mean roughly a third of freshmen don't return for year two. Debt with no degree is the worst outcome, and it happens to a meaningful number of people here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $8,100 a year. over $110k, you pay nearly $19,700. That gap of more than $11,000 a year makes this an affordable choice if your household income is modest and an expensive one if it is high.
Come here for nursing or engineering, plan to actually graduate, and the return is strong. If you're undecided or drawn to fields not listed here, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY Polytechnic Institute worth the cost?
SUNY Polytechnic Institute offers decent value with a low net price of $13,882 and graduates earning $64,355 after 10 years. However, the 59% graduation rate is concerning and means many students don't finish their degrees.
What are the highest paying majors at SUNY Polytechnic Institute?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning around $96,627, followed by bioethics at $91,744. Engineering and business programs pay significantly less at $61,516 and $75,518 respectively.
How much debt do SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have?
The median debt is $17,250, which is manageable given the low tuition costs. This debt level is reasonable compared to earnings potential, especially for nursing graduates.
Does SUNY Polytechnic Institute have good job prospects?
Job prospects depend heavily on your major - nursing graduates do well with strong earning potential. Other programs show mixed results, and the 59% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their degrees.