University at Albany
Albany, New York · Public · 69.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 79/100 · Strong Value
University at Albany
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,866/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $31,256/yr |
| Average net price | $17,167/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $68,668 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,979 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $41,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $207 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 61.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 12,564 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
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 | $11,112 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,062 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,923 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,037 |
| $110,001+ | $24,085 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University at Albany with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $76,633 | B |
| Psychology | $55,004 | D |
| Biology | $58,703 | D |
| Economics | $63,331 | C |
| Homeland Security | $69,365 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,724 | D |
| Sociology | $57,508 | D |
| International Relations | $64,270 | C |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $80,285 | C+ |
| Accounting | $98,010 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University at Albany is $10,866/year ($31,256/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 $17,167/year, or roughly $68,668 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,112/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,085/year.
The median graduate leaves with $19,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $207 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $67,979 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.48 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 69.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 74.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 76.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 79.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 69.1% |
| Enrollment | 12,564 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 43.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,012 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University at Albany (this school) | 79 | $17,167 | $67,979 |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 92 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County | 84 | $16,467 | $69,960 |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | 81 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| University of Rhode Island | 79 | $21,440 | $69,743 |
| University of Vermont | 78 | $19,343 | $62,472 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University at Albany delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $17,167 per year ($68,668 over four years), graduates earn a median of $67,979 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.3 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $19,500 is very manageable against $67,979 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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.