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Empire State University

#1 Best Online Business Programs in New York
Public Saratoga Springs, NY · Suburban · Mid-Atlantic · 87% data
A- Diversity B+ Value B Earnings
Graduation Rate
34% D
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$54,080 B
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$11,676 B-
32% less than the typical college
Enrollment
7,585
Earnings +33% vs avg
Graduation -41% vs avg
Net Price +-32% vs avg

Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.2 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Online Business Programs in New York.

25.2× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $25.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,128,412.

What The Data Says

  1. A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Earnings 33% above the national college median.

  3. Graduation of 34% — 41% below the national average.

  4. Every $1 invested returns $25.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Empire State University

Empire State University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public University
Carnegie Class
Master's University
Enrollment
7,585
Setting
Suburban
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Humanities, Psychology, Health Professions

Why students choose Empire State University

Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

B-
Top 33% overall
B
Earnings
$54,080 median
B+
Value
4.6× net price
B-
Affordability
$11,676/yr net
D
Graduation
34% graduate
A-
Diversity
0.73 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →
1
Can I Get In?

Admissions

Open / non-selective

This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.

Check your odds →
2
Can I Afford It?

Net price + aid

B-
$11,676/yr net

Students pay about $11,676 a year after grants and scholarships — 32% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.

See cost & aid →
3
What Happens After?

Earnings + debt

B
$54,080 median

Graduates earn a median of $54,080 ten years after enrolling — 33% above the typical college, against $18,730 in median debt.

See outcomes →
4
Does It Change Lives?

Mobility + social capital

Limited data

Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.

See mobility →

Overview

Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, New York, caters to students who thrive in a diverse learning environment. With an enrollment of around 7,585, it’s a good fit for those interested in practical fields like Business & Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions, Education, and Physical Sciences. The school’s focus on these programs reflects a commitment to equipping students with skills that are highly relevant in today’s job market.

When it comes to life after graduation, the data shows that graduates earn a median salary of $54,080 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure highlights the potential for upward mobility, especially for those who are strategic in their career choices. Affordability is also a consideration, with a net price of $11,676 after financial aid. That makes it accessible for many students, particularly as 37% of them receive Pell Grants, which can help offset costs for lower-income families.

Looking at the financial bottom line, the median debt for graduates is $18,730, a manageable figure when considering the earnings potential. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are proactive and engaged, making the most of the programs available and the supportive campus community. With the right approach, students can find both personal and professional growth at Empire State University.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Empire State University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Empire State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Saratoga Springs, New York, Empire State University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.

Retention Rate
66%
Full-Time Faculty
22%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$8,539
Student–Faculty Ratio
17:1
Diversity Index
0.73
First-Gen Students
45%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Empire State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Empire State University is $17,558, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,676. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,989 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,730 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$7,648
Out-of-State
$17,558
Avg Net Price
$11,676
Median Debt
$18,730
Pell Grant Rate
37%
Federal Loan Rate
34%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$8,989
Family Income $30K–$48K
$10,507
Family Income $48K–$75K
$14,812
Family Income $110K+
$19,679

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Empire State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Empire State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Empire State University earn a median of $54,080, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$50,167
8 Years
$52,603
10 Years
$54,080
Debt-to-Earnings
0.35x
Earning > $25K
68%

Earnings Trajectory

$50,167 6yr $52,603 8yr $54,080 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (9)
8%
100% (9)
8%
100% (9)
8%
100% (9)
8%

How Empire Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation34%Earnings 10yr$54KNet Price$12KRetention66%Median Debt$19KPell Grant Rate37%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$9K$0-30K$11K$30-48K$15K$48-75K$20K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Empire State University Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Empire State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,676/year ($46,704 total). Graduates earn $54,080 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,175,116 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,128,412 (25.2× your investment). The median debt is $18,730, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 34% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$46,704
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,175,116
Net Return
$1,128,412
ROI Multiple
25.2×
Cost Per Year
$11,676
Median Debt
$18,730
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
34%
Explore all Empire State ROI scenarios

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Federal Grants
$1,858,069
Investment Income
$165,459

Top Programs

The fields Empire State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Top Careers

Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Empire State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Empire State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Saratoga Springs, New York, Empire State University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Empire State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Empire State University is $17,558, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,676. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,989 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,730 in federal student loans.

Is Empire State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Empire State University earn a median of $54,080, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

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Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Empire State University.

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

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