SUNY at Fredonia
Fredonia, New York · Public · 77.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 51/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
SUNY Fredonia scores 51 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The institution's aggregate ROI is weighed down by a 50.2% completion rate, a 10.6-year payback period, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.737. In-state tuition is $8,831, but net price reaches $15,897 after fees, making total cost meaningful relative to the $32,900 average 6-year earnings. Median debt of $24,250 is high relative to those earnings. Most of the high-enrollment programs - Teacher Education (69 graduates, D grade), Drama/Theatre Arts (54 graduates, F grade), Music (36 graduates, F grade), Design and Applied Arts (32 graduates, F grade), and Psychology (69 graduates, D grade) - are in the D to F range. The arts-heavy program mix defines Fredonia's identity but also explains much of its weak aggregate ROI. Business Administration (68 graduates, $44,089 year-one, C grade) is the largest moderate-ROI program.
SUNY at Fredonia
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,831/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $19,771/yr |
| Average net price | $15,897/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $63,588 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,247 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $257 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 50.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,755 |
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: $8,831/year ($19,771/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 $15,897/year, or roughly $63,588 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 $9,395/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,743/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $24,250, which works out to about $257 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($32,900) and comes to 0.74, 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 | $9,395 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,327 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,116 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,302 |
| $110,001+ | $20,743 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $9,395 per year at SUNY Fredonia - modest in absolute terms. But at $32,900 average 6-year earnings and a 50.2% completion rate, the risk is significant. Low-income students who do not complete are left with debt and no credential. The 0.737 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests borrowers as a group are struggling with repayment relative to their earnings.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $16,116 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $16,302 - nearly twice the low-income bracket. At $16,000+ per year, the economic case becomes narrower for students in lower-earning programs.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $20,743 - the highest in the schedule. Out-of-state students or high-income in-state families paying this amount face a 10.6-year payback against $32,900 average earnings. This is an unfavorable ratio unless the student is in CS, information science, or a specific business track.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at SUNY at Fredonia with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $53,292 | D |
| Psychology | $47,043 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $58,133 | C |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $39,770 | F |
| Teacher Education | $49,763 | D |
| Music | $45,794 | F |
| Design and Applied Arts | $43,087 | F |
| Special Education and Teaching | $55,441 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $53,149 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $55,155 | 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.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences shows $88,991 year-four earnings with a B+ ROI grade and debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.303 against $27,000 median debt. Graduate count is not reported by Scorecard for this cohort. Year-one earnings are also not reported. The 4-year figure suggests strong outcomes relative to the institutional average. Tech graduates from Fredonia likely enter Buffalo and regional NY markets, or remote-eligible roles nationally.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is Fredonia's largest reported program at 68 graduates, earning $44,089 year-one and $58,133 year-four (ROI grade C, debt-to-earnings 0.582, median debt $25,648). The C grade reflects outcomes against a meaningful debt load. Graduates entering regional business roles in western New York face a tighter labor market than in major metro areas, which depresses earnings relative to debt service.
Music
Music earns an F grade at Fredonia: 36 graduates, $21,524 year-one, $45,794 year-four, debt-to-earnings 1.254 with $27,000 median debt. Debt exceeds year-one earnings by 25%. Fredonia has a well-regarded music conservatory, and students who pursue music here are making a deliberate career choice. But the financial math is unambiguous: year-one earnings of $21,524 with $27,000 in debt is a tight starting position.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Drama/Theatre earns an F grade at Fredonia: 54 graduates, $20,453 year-one, $39,770 year-four, debt-to-earnings 1.32 with $27,000 median debt. This is the worst ROI ratio among high-enrollment programs at the institution. Students pursuing theatre here are trading financial return for professional training in a specialized field. The 4-year trajectory to $39,770 is gradual; the early-career financial stress is real.
Teacher Education, Subject-Specific
Teacher Education (69 graduates) earns a D grade: $36,276 year-one, $53,292 year-four, debt-to-earnings 0.744 with $27,000 median debt. Students should research starting salaries in their target districts before committing.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 71.6% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 75.9% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 76.3% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 80.1% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How SUNY at Fredonia’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 | 77.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 570-690 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 590-680 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 23-28 |
| Enrollment | 2,755 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,123 |
At 77.7% admission, SUNY Fredonia is broadly accessible. Test score ranges are SAT 570-690 Math, 590-680 Reading; ACT 23-28. Admission is not competitive, but program completion is the actual risk: 50.2% of enrolled students do not finish within 150% of normal time. Students should ask about program-specific completion rates, not just institutional averages.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUNY at Fredonia (this school) | 51 | $15,897 | $54,247 |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 92 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | 81 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | 51 | $11,772 | $51,129 |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University | 48 | $8,039 | $45,079 |
| Wayne State College | 46 | $15,360 | $47,075 |
Who Thrives Here
SUNY Fredonia admits 77.7% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 570-690 Math and 590-680 Reading; ACT composite 23-28. Enrollment is 2,755 students on a residential campus in western New York. Pell grant rate of 38.8% reflects significant financial need in the student body. Students who arrive intending to study music, theatre, or arts should understand that these programs produce F-grade ROI at Fredonia's price point - a deliberate trade-off between career passion and financial return.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for SUNY at Fredonia is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $15,897 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $54,247 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 10.6 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: its 50.2% graduation rate, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 (median across the schools we score: 0.61).
Median debt of $24,250 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $32,900 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
SUNY at Fredonia: Common Questions
Is SUNY at Fredonia worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. SUNY at Fredonia scores 51/100 on our ROI scale. At $15,897 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $54,247 ten years after entry, so it takes about 10.6 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does SUNY at Fredonia 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 $15,897 a year, or roughly $63,588 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 SUNY at Fredonia graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $54,247 ten years after enrolling, roughly $12,447 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 SUNY at Fredonia?
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 10.6 years for SUNY at Fredonia. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do SUNY at Fredonia graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $24,250, against average earnings of $32,900 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at SUNY at Fredonia?
The six-year graduation rate is 50.2%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.