Siena College
Loudonville, New York · Private Nonprofit · 69.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 75/100 · Strong Value
Siena College scores 75 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale — a solid outcome for a private nonprofit with $46,580 in sticker tuition. The net price of $33,733 and median debt of $26,561 produce a 6.7-year payback period against $46,000 in median 6-year earnings. The 74.7% completion rate and 86.4% repayment rate at three years are both above average. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.577 scores lower than the other sub-metrics, reflecting that net price still leaves graduates with significant debt relative to earnings. Computer and Information Sciences (29 graduates, $64,677 year-one, ROI grade B) and Finance (59 graduates, $54,056 year-one, ROI grade C+) anchor the higher-earning end. Economics (25 graduates, $54,328 year-one), Management Sciences (9 graduates, $54,855 year-one), and Accounting (61 graduates, $49,463 year-one) fill out the business cluster. History (23 graduates), Psychology (85 graduates), and International Relations (38 graduates) all score D on ROI, indicating substantial debt against near-term earnings that don't justify a $46,580 tuition in any simple financial analysis.
Siena College scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Siena College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $46,580/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $46,580/yr |
| Average net price | $33,733/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $134,932 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $76,079 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $46,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,561 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $282 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 74.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,409 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Siena College is $46,580/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $33,733/year, or roughly $134,932 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $26,417/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $37,704/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,561 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $282 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $76,079 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.58 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $26,417 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $28,044 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $29,118 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $34,818 |
| $110,001+ | $37,704 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $26,417 per year at Siena — the lowest income bracket paying more than $26,000 at a private school represents limited financial access. Four-year cost around $105,700 against $46,000 median 6-year earnings is a heavy burden. Low-income students at Siena should be enrolled in the highest-earning programs and should consider the public university alternatives in New York that would cost significantly less.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $29,118, and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $34,818. At $29,000-$35,000 annually, four-year costs of $116,000-$139,000 require careful program selection to justify. Middle-income families choosing Siena over SUNY Albany or other public options need to see a specific programmatic advantage or career network benefit to make the math work.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $37,704 per year. Four-year cost around $151,000 is significant. Siena's 6.7-year payback and $46,000 median earnings hold up reasonably at the middle of the income schedule, but full-pay families have access to better-outcome privates for similar or lower cost. The Franciscan mission and campus culture are the non-financial differentiators.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Siena College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $63,227 | D |
| Marketing | $69,793 | C+ |
| Accounting | $78,337 | C+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $88,623 | C+ |
| Biology | $73,491 | D |
| International Relations | $63,075 | D |
| Business Administration and Management | $72,369 | C |
| English Language and Literature | $59,280 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $91,712 | B |
| Economics | $90,802 | 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.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences is Siena's top-performing program: 29 graduates, $64,677 year-one, $91,712 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.353 (ROI grade B) with $22,836 median debt. The four-year trajectory above $91k reflects placement in the Capital Region and broader Northeast tech markets. Siena CS is not a large program, but outcomes are solid for a small Franciscan college. The moderate debt load makes this defensible even at private tuition.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance produces 59 graduates with $54,056 year-one and $88,623 at year four, C+ ROI grade, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.499 with $27,000 median debt. The four-year trajectory above $88k is strong for a regional private college. Finance graduates from Siena access the Albany financial services market and, with proximity to New York City, can tap broader opportunities. The C+ grade reflects the $27,000 debt load against year-one earnings — the payback tightens relative to lower-debt peers.
Accounting
Accounting is a Siena strength with 61 graduates, $49,463 year-one, $78,337 at year four, C+ ROI grade, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.526 with $26,000 median debt. Siena's accounting program feeds into the CPA pipeline and regional public accounting firms. The four-year trajectory to $78k reflects advancement to management and senior accountant roles. The C+ ROI grade rather than B reflects the high sticker tuition driving up debt.
Psychology
Psychology is the largest program at 85 graduates with a D ROI grade: $32,022 year-one, $63,227 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.843 with $27,000 median debt. Year-one earnings below $33k against $27,000 in debt at a private college with $46,580 tuition is a poor financial calculation. The four-year figure of $63k is more respectable but takes four years to reach. Psychology at Siena is viable as a graduate school pipeline; as a standalone career credential at private-school prices, the numbers do not add up.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 82.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 86.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 86.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 89.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 69.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 560-680 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 550-680 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 27-33 |
| Enrollment | 3,409 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,661 |
Siena admits 69.0% of applicants. The SAT 560-680 Math and 550-680 Reading ranges describe a moderately selective bar. ACT 27-33 composite is notable — the 75th percentile at 33 is quite high for this admission rate, suggesting a bimodal distribution. Students with ACT composite below 25 should treat this application cautiously.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Siena's peer set includes Adelphi, Albany College of Pharmacy, Widener, Lewis University, and Bradley University. Siena (75) performs well in this group. Its 74.7% completion rate and 86.4% repayment rate are its strongest metrics. Against Adelphi (similar location, similar tuition, comparable ROI), Siena's stronger repayment rate and slightly higher completion suggest better graduate financial stability. Bradley and Lewis are Midwest peers with similar pricing and outcomes; the regional labor market differences matter more than the institutional comparison.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siena College (this school) | 75 | $33,733 | $76,079 |
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 94 | $29,882 | $131,426 |
| Lewis University | 77 | $17,028 | $66,099 |
| Bradley University | 75 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| Adelphi University | 75 | $30,783 | $75,482 |
| Widener University | 74 | $25,759 | $70,920 |
Who Thrives Here
Siena College admits 69.0% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 560-680 Math and 550-680 Reading; ACT composite 27-33. Enrollment is 3,409. The Pell grant rate of 24.5% reflects a largely middle- and upper-middle-income student body. Siena is a Franciscan Catholic liberal arts college in the Albany area. The campus culture emphasizes service, community, and faith. Students drawn to business, accounting, or health sciences who also want a residential liberal arts experience will find a reasonable match. Students choosing Siena purely on financial grounds should note the high sticker price against the 6.7-year payback.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Siena College delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $33,733 per year ($134,932 over four years), graduates earn a median of $76,079 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.7 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: a 74.7% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $26,561 against $76,079 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.