State University of New York at Cortland
Cortland, New York · Public · 59.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 65/100 · Fair Value
SUNY Cortland posts a 65/100 ROI score in our Fair Value tier — a solid mid-pack public outcome reflecting strong fundamentals on completion, payback, and repayment. The 68% completion rate is well above the four-year national average for regional publics, and the 9.1-year paybackPeriod is respectable. Median earnings of $38,100 six years out climb meaningfully to $60,236 by year ten — a 58% jump that reflects how Cortland's teacher-prep and health-professions concentrations pay off as graduates accumulate experience and credentials. Median debt of $21,500 against $38,100 early earnings yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, well within the manageable zone. In-state tuition is $8,874, but the net price of $22,345 reflects significant room/board/fees on a residential campus, pushing four-year cost to $89,380. Three-year repayment rate of 76.1% is strong. With 5,901 students and a 27.4% Pell rate, Cortland serves a moderately middle-class population and delivers competent value. Earnings premium of 28.2% over high-school baseline confirms the degree pays. The school's biggest weakness is its high net price for a SUNY — out-of-pocket costs sit closer to those of mid-tier privates than to flagship publics — but the back-end outcomes earn the cost.
State University of New York at Cortland
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,874/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $18,784/yr |
| Average net price | $22,345/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $89,380 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,236 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $228 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 68.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,901 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at State University of New York at Cortland is $8,874/year ($18,784/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $22,345/year, or roughly $89,380 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,550/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,853/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $228 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $60,236 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.56 - 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 | $12,550 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,453 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,102 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,636 |
| $110,001+ | $25,853 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $12,550 net — a strong number reflecting Pell, NY State TAP, and SUNY institutional aid. Across four years that's $50,200 against $38,100 early-career earnings — a defensible ratio especially with the 10-year earnings climbing to $60,236. The 76% three-year repayment rate suggests low-income borrowers do work down their balances.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001–$48,000 bracket pays $16,453, the $48,001–$75,000 bracket pays $20,102, and the $75,001–$110,000 bracket pays $21,636 — a clean monotonic progression with no inversions. Middle-income families pay $66,000-$86,000 over four years; the math works for students in teacher prep, kinesiology, or health professions but is tighter for liberal arts tracks.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $25,853 — about $103,400 across four years. That's modestly above the published $89,380 total cost, suggesting bracket-level outliers at the top end. High-income families paying full freight at Cortland are buying a strong teacher-prep pipeline and central-NY residential experience; the value math is solid for vocational tracks but unremarkable for non-credential majors.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at State University of New York at Cortland with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $63,201 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $56,466 | D |
| Teacher Education | $62,275 | C |
| Psychology | $56,366 | D |
| Special Education and Teaching | $74,079 | - |
| Business Information Systems | $66,644 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,431 | C |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $62,122 | B |
| Political Science and Government | $56,593 | C |
| History | $51,043 | D |
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.
Teacher Education, Subject-Specific
Cortland's largest program (252 graduates) is a flagship subject-specific teacher prep track. First-year earnings of $42,132 climb to $63,201 by year four — a strong trajectory reflecting NY teacher salary schedules and Cortland's pipeline into Northeast school districts. Median debt of $25,837 yields a 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio (C grade in the early years). For students committed to public-school teaching in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, this program is one of Cortland's most defensible value plays.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology graduates 247 students annually — Cortland's signature undergraduate program and a regional draw. First-year earnings of $28,289 against $25,681 median debt produce a 0.91 debt-to-earnings ratio (D grade), but four-year earnings climb to $56,466 as graduates move into PT/OT/PA programs, athletic training, or coaching roles. The first-year earnings figure understates outcomes for students who continue to graduate-level credentialing.
Teacher Education
Generalist teacher education adds another 160 graduates with first-year earnings of $37,979 climbing to $62,275 by year four — nearly identical trajectory to the subject-specific program. Median debt of $25,902 yields a 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio (C grade). Combined with the subject-specific track, Cortland produces over 400 teachers per year, making it one of the largest teacher pipelines in upstate NY.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 95 students with first-year earnings of $32,159 climbing to $56,366 by year four. Median debt of $23,616 produces a 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio (D grade). As at most schools, the bachelor's-only psychology path is soft on early earnings; the four-year recovery suggests many graduates pursue counseling, school psych, or social work credentials within 2-4 years of graduation.
Business Information Systems
Business Info Systems graduates 89 students with first-year earnings of $40,517 climbing to $66,644 by year four — one of Cortland's strongest non-teaching programs. Median debt of $26,000 yields a 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio (C grade). For students who want a business-tech track at SUNY pricing, this program delivers solid mid-career earnings without the selectivity gates of larger SUNYs.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 70.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 76.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 79.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 82.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 59.8% |
| Enrollment | 5,901 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 27.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,557 |
Cortland admits 59.8% of applicants — moderately selective for a SUNY four-year. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are not reported in current Scorecard data, common as more SUNY campuses move test-optional. The 68% completion rate suggests admit standards align well with retention, and Cortland's strong teacher-prep and kinesiology programs draw students with clear vocational targets, which historically correlates with higher persistence.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among Cortland's listed peers — CUNY Baruch College, CUNY Brooklyn College, University of Michigan-Dearborn, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and University of West Florida — Cortland sits in the upper half. Baruch is the standout with a much higher ROI score driven by business-focused earnings; Brooklyn College and UM-Dearborn post comparable Fair Value tier scores; Mizzou-St. Louis and UWF land slightly below on completion and earnings. Cortland's teacher-prep specialization gives it a more predictable earnings ramp than many of these peers' liberal-arts-heavy mixes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| State University of New York at Cortland (this school) | 65 | $22,345 | $60,236 |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 92 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | 81 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | 72 | $9,492 | $59,649 |
| University of West Florida | 62 | $9,364 | $49,137 |
| University of Missouri-St Louis | 59 | $15,071 | $53,037 |
Who Thrives Here
Cortland fits students aimed at teaching, kinesiology, exercise science, communication disorders, or business information systems — vocational tracks with clear NY-state employment pipelines. The 5,901-student campus, 27.4% Pell rate, and central-NY rural setting make this a working-to-middle-class regional public with strong retention. Students who finish a teacher prep or health-pro track see median 10-year earnings near $60,000; students drifting through liberal arts without credentialing see noticeably weaker outcomes (Liberal Arts D grade, $44,687 four-year earnings).
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
State University of New York at Cortland offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $22,345 per year leads to $89,380 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $60,236 a decade out. The payback period of 9.1 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: a 68.0% graduation rate.
Median debt of $21,500 against $60,236 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.