Albany, NY · Private University
Is University at Albany Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$67,979
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,408
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,998
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$115,992
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.34x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
63.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,486
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University at Albany graduates earn $22,979 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University at Albany ranked by graduate earnings
48 graduates
294 graduates
33 graduates
299 graduates
30 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University at Albany
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University at Albany, the gap between the highest-earning major (Accounting and Related Services: $80,462) and the lowest (Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology: $26,245) is $54,217/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related ServicesBest ROI | $80,462 | 2.8x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $69,386 | 2.4x |
| Applied Mathematics(1yr data) | $65,604 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $65,362 | 2.3x |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | $62,649 | 2.2x |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other | $61,222 | 2.1x |
| Economics | $58,487 | 2.0x |
| Chemistry | $57,546 | 2.0x |
| Criminology | $56,030 | 1.9x |
| Social Work | $54,302 | 1.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $52,846 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics | $51,547 | 1.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $51,117 | 1.8x |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | $50,246 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $49,362 | 1.7x |
| History | $49,151 | 1.7x |
| Journalism | $49,005 | 1.7x |
| Sociology | $47,666 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $46,952 | 1.6x |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(1yr data) | $45,637 | 1.6x |
| International/Global Studies | $44,646 | 1.5x |
| Anthropology | $41,534 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $40,861 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $40,531 | 1.4x |
| Homeland Security(1yr data) | $38,472 | 1.3x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $33,266 | 1.1x |
| Area Studies(1yr data) | $32,808 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $30,810 | 1.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies(1yr data) | $30,792 | 1.1x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies(1yr data) | $29,823 | 1.0x |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyLowest(1yr data) | $26,245 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University at Albany stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $67,979 10 years after starting, $22,979 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.5 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.