State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz, New York · Public · 61.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 68/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
SUNY New Paltz is a public liberal arts university in the Hudson Valley, enrolling about 6,086 undergraduates. In-state tuition is $8,572 and average net price is $18,809. The institution earns a Fair Value ROI score of 68, supported by a 71.6% graduation rate, a 9.3-year payback period, and ten-year median earnings of $58,073. Engineering programs - electrical and mechanical - post strong outcomes, and accounting earns a C+ grade. Arts, humanities, and communication programs carry D and F grades across multiple fields, consistent with SUNY New Paltz's strong arts reputation that doesn't translate to immediate earnings. The Hudson Valley location provides proximity to New York City's labor market while maintaining a smaller campus environment, which is a meaningful differentiator for students who want cultural access without Manhattan prices.
State University of New York at New Paltz
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,572/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $18,822/yr |
| Average net price | $18,809/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $75,236 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,073 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,750 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $199 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 71.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 6,086 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $8,572/year ($18,822/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $18,809/year, or roughly $75,236 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $10,541/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $26,256/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $18,750, which works out to about $199 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($36,000) and comes to 0.52, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
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 | $10,541 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,969 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,178 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,937 |
| $110,001+ | $26,256 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $10,541 net. At that cost, New Paltz's 71.6% graduation rate and $58,073 ten-year earnings represent reasonable long-term ROI. Low-income students in engineering or accounting will find especially strong value; those in arts or humanities face a steeper return-on-investment curve that requires careful post-graduation planning.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001 - $75,000 band pays $13,969 - $20,178. The sharp increase from the lowest bracket to the $48,001 - $75,000 range reflects limited merit aid expansion.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Above $75,000, families pay $21,937 - $26,256. At these net prices, New Paltz remains price-competitive with regional privates. Higher-income families should compare program-specific outcomes; engineering and education justify New Paltz clearly, but arts majors at $26,000 net price need to model graduate school pathways to make the investment work.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at State University of New York at New Paltz with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $55,378 | C |
| Teacher Education | $53,267 | C |
| Sociology | $51,290 | D |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $60,371 | C |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $47,453 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $60,929 | D |
| Biology | $57,203 | C |
| English Language and Literature | $45,024 | F |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $60,112 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $103,020 | 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.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering graduates 18 students with year-one earnings of $72,238 and a B+ grade at a 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. The Hudson Valley's growing tech and manufacturing sector - including IBM's regional presence - provides placement pathways. EE at New Paltz is a competitively priced alternative to more expensive engineering programs.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering graduates 44 students at $66,274 in year one and $89,504 at four years. A B grade and 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio are solid.
Accounting
Accounting graduates 30 students with year-one earnings of $47,884 and $67,626 at four years. A C+ grade and 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio reflect moderate value. New York's accounting job market - even at the regional Poughkeepsie and Hudson Valley level - provides consistent entry-level demand for CPA-track graduates.
Psychology
Psychology is New Paltz's second-largest measured program at 174 graduates with year-one earnings of $29,817 and a C grade at 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio. These figures reflect a high proportion of graduates entering graduate programs or lower-wage human services positions. Students should clarify their post-graduation plan before choosing psychology at a school with $18,809 average net price.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 150 students at $28,929 in year one and $53,267 at four years, earning a C grade. New York's teacher certification pathways and the Hudson Valley's suburban and rural school districts create consistent demand. The four-year earnings figure shows meaningful career progression, and New York State's teacher loan forgiveness programs can offset early salary constraints.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 70.1% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 75.3% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 75.4% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 80.7% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How State University of New York at New Paltz’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 61.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 570-650 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600-690 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-29 |
| Enrollment | 6,086 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 31.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,406 |
New Paltz admits 61.6% of applicants. The strong arts and education programs attract applicants nationally.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| State University of New York at New Paltz (this school) | 68 | $18,809 | $58,073 |
| 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 Alabama in Huntsville | 69 | $18,796 | $61,767 |
| University of Missouri-St Louis | 59 | $15,071 | $53,037 |
Who Thrives Here
SUNY New Paltz is a good fit for students who want a selective SUNY education with strong arts or education programs and who are prepared for the earnings trade-offs in those fields. The 61.6% admissions rate is moderately selective. Students targeting engineering, accounting, or education will find solid value at New Paltz's price. Students choosing the arts, theatre, or music programs should be aware of the documented F ROI grades - the specific earnings data and debt ratios suggest graduates will need robust career planning and likely graduate school or freelance income to achieve financial stability.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
State University of New York at New Paltz is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $18,809 a year after aid ($75,236 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $58,073 a decade out, the cost takes about 9.3 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: its 71.6% graduation rate.
Median debt of $18,750 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $36,000 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
State University of New York at New Paltz: Common Questions
Is State University of New York at New Paltz worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether State University of New York at New Paltz is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 68/100 on our ROI scale. At $18,809 a year after aid ($75,236 over four years) against $58,073 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 9.3 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does State University of New York at New Paltz cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $18,809 a year, or roughly $75,236 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do State University of New York at New Paltz graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $58,073 ten years after enrolling, roughly $16,273 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off State University of New York at New Paltz?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 9.3 years for State University of New York at New Paltz. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do State University of New York at New Paltz graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $18,750, against average earnings of $36,000 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at State University of New York at New Paltz?
The six-year graduation rate is 71.6%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
From CampusROI, when there is something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
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.