Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Albany, New York · Private Nonprofit · 52.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 94/100 · Exceptional Value
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) scores 94 (Exceptional Value) -- one of the highest scores in the CampusROI database -- driven by a 2.7-year payback period and $94,500 median 6-year earnings, both exceptional metrics. Median debt of $25,500 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.270 confirm the strong ROI math. The repayment rate of 94.5% at three years is extraordinary, reflecting graduates who are earning enough to service debt comfortably. The completion rate of 67.5% is the one soft spot -- below average for a specialized health sciences institution, though attrition in pharmacy programs nationally tends to be higher than general colleges due to academic rigor. ACPHS is tiny (481 students) and highly focused; the 52.7% admission rate reflects meaningful selectivity. SAT mid-ranges of 560-700 Math and 550-680 Reading indicate a quantitatively prepared student body. The only Scorecard-reported program is Pharmacy (39 graduates), which shows $40,169 year-one and $84,423 year-four -- the year-one figure is depressed because pharmacy graduates often complete rotations in year four and enter the workforce with strong but delayed earnings.
Graduates recoup their total investment in just 2.7 years. The national average for 4-year schools is closer to 8-10 years.
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $41,475/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $41,475/yr |
| Average net price | $29,882/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $119,528 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $131,426 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $94,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $270 |
| Estimated payback period | 2.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 67.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 481 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is $41,475/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $29,882/year, or roughly $119,528 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $22,404/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $33,753/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $270 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $131,426 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.27 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,404 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,566 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $29,395 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,067 |
| $110,001+ | $33,753 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $22,404 per year at ACPHS, and the $30,001-48,000 bracket pays $22,566 -- nearly flat, suggesting consistent aid across the lowest income tiers. Over four years, roughly $89,000-$90,000. Against $94,500 median earnings and a 2.7-year payback period, even lower-income families can construct a defensible financial case if the student completes and passes licensure. The 67.5% completion rate is the risk factor.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $29,395; the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $31,067. The aid taper is moderate. At $30,000 per year, the investment is meaningful but the payback period of 2.7 years and $94,500 median earnings make it financially rational for students who complete and enter clinical practice. This is one of the few institutions where the private college price is clearly justified by the earnings data.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families over $110,000 pay $33,753 per year, or roughly $135,000 over four years. At a 2.7-year payback and $94,500 median earnings, the full-pay case is as strong as any in the database. Pharmacy is a licensed profession with relatively stable demand and structured earning trajectories. ACPHS full-pay makes financial sense for students who are committed to the career path.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | $84,423 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the only Scorecard-reported program at ACPHS: 39 graduates, $40,169 year-one, $84,423 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.672 (ROI grade C). The C grade reflects that year-one earnings are low -- pharmacy graduates complete professional rotations before independent practice, and the $40k year-one figure captures a depressed early-career period. By year four, $84,423 is consistent with staff pharmacist compensation. Median debt of $27,000 is relatively low for a pharmacy degree, suggesting ACPHS's aid and cost structure is competitive. The institutional-level 94 ROI score reflects median earnings of $94,500 across the entire graduate population.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 89.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 94.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 93.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 94.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 52.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 560-700 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 550-680 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 23-31 |
| Enrollment | 481 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 28.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,066 |
ACPHS's 52.7% admission rate places it in a selective tier for health sciences colleges. SAT ranges of 560-700 Math and 550-680 Reading and ACT 23-31 indicate that quantitative preparation matters. The pharmacy program specifically will have clinical and lab prerequisites that go beyond general admissions. Students targeting ACPHS should understand the curriculum intensity and the licensing requirements (NAPLEX) that follow graduation.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
ACPHS's peer set includes Adelphi University, Alfred University, Bryan College of Health Sciences, Soka University of America, and The Christ College of Nursing. These are diverse institutions sharing small size and health-focus characteristics. ACPHS's 94 ROI score is significantly higher than any named peer in its Scorecard set, reflecting the earnings premium of pharmacy relative to general health sciences. Bryan College of Health Sciences is a clinical-focused comparable in Nebraska. Among health sciences-focused private colleges nationally, ACPHS's combination of low debt and high earnings makes it unusual.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (this school) | 94 | $29,882 | $131,426 |
| MCPHS University | 90 | $39,545 | $125,557 |
| Chamberlain University-Florida | 74 | $31,269 | $92,405 |
| Chamberlain University-Ohio | 73 | $31,544 | $92,405 |
| Chamberlain University-Texas | 73 | $32,209 | $92,405 |
| West Coast University-Ontario | 71 | $49,590 | $102,672 |
Who Thrives Here
ACPHS admits 52.7% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 560-700 Math and 550-680 Reading, ACT 23-31. The 28.9% Pell grant rate suggests moderate socioeconomic diversity. At 481 students, ACPHS is among the smallest degree-granting institutions in the CampusROI database. The student body is almost entirely pre-pharmacy or health sciences track. Students who are committed to pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, or health administration and who meet the academic requirements are the right fit. Students who are undecided or who want a broad undergraduate experience will not find it here.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $119,528 and median graduate earnings of $131,426 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 2.7 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $25,500 is very manageable against $131,426 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.