State University of New York at New Paltz
#6 Best Communications Colleges in New York- Graduation Rate
- 70% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,073 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,809 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 62% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 21.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.2 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Communications Colleges in New York.
Every $1 spent returns $21.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,518,539.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 42% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 3.69% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why State University of New York at New Paltz Matters
State University of New York at New Paltz is a public university in New Paltz, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 6,086
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Communications
Why students choose State University of New York at New Paltz
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 62% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1170–1340. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,809 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,073 ten years after enrolling — 42% above the typical college, against $18,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 5% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With around 6,100 students, SUNY New Paltz is a vibrant community that caters to a diverse range of interests and aspirations. It’s particularly well-suited for those drawn to programs in Education, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Social Sciences, and Psychology. The acceptance rate of 62% suggests that while the school is selective, it still welcomes a broad array of students who are eager to engage in an enriching academic experience.
After graduation, students at SUNY New Paltz can expect a solid earning potential, with a median income of $58,073 a decade post-graduation. This figure highlights the value of the education they receive. Affordability is also a consideration, with a net price of $18,809 after aid, making it accessible for many families. The data shows that a significant portion of students, about 32%, receive Pell Grants, indicating that SUNY New Paltz supports a diverse socioeconomic student body.
When it comes to the financial aspect, students often graduate with a median debt of $18,750, which is fairly manageable compared to national averages. Those who thrive here tend to be proactive and engaged, taking full advantage of the resources and opportunities available, whether it's through on-campus activities or internships in nearby cities. The supportive environment and strong academic programs position graduates well for future success.
Rankings
- #6 Best Communications Colleges in New York
- #7 Best Education Colleges in New York
- #12 Best MBA Programs in New York
- #16 Best Online Colleges in New York
- #16 Best Engineering Colleges in New York
- #23 Best Computer Science Colleges in New York
- #23 Best Data Science Colleges in New York
- #25 Best Colleges for Education
Can I Get In?
How selective State University of New York at New Paltz is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into State University of New York at New Paltz? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
State University of New York at New Paltz, located in New Paltz, New York, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 62% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,265. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 62%
- Retention Rate
- 85%
- SAT Average
- 1265
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1170–1340
- ACT Range
- 25–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 49%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,406
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 32%
- Applicants
- 13,228
- Admitted
- 7,708
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 State University of New York at New Paltz? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at State University of New York at New Paltz is $18,822, 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 $18,809. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,541 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,572
- Out-of-State
- $18,822
- Avg Net Price
- $18,809
- Median Debt
- $18,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,541
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,969
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,178
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,256
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 State University of New York at New Paltz — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is State University of New York at New Paltz Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of State University of New York at New Paltz earn a median of $58,073, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,555
- 8 Years
- $53,453
- 10 Years
- $58,073
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.32x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (662)
- 61%
- 100% (662)
- 61%
- 100% (662)
- 61%
- 100% (662)
- 61%
How State Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is State University of New York at New Paltz Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, State University of New York at New Paltz delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,809/year ($75,236 total). Graduates earn $58,073 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,593,775 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,518,539 (21.2× your investment). The median debt is $18,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 70% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $75,236
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,593,775
- Net Return
- $1,518,539
- ROI Multiple
- 21.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,809
- Median Debt
- $18,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does State University of New York at New Paltz Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
State University of New York at New Paltz is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.69%, among the highest in the country. About 9.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.69%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 37.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $124,860
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,631,779
- Investment Income
- $273,777
Top Programs
The fields State University of New York at New Paltz 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.
- Education 15% $39,374 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $54,412 early-career
- Psychology 11% $35,506 early-career
- Communications 11% $42,876 early-career
- Social Sciences 10% $51,244 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 10% $60,922 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $28,433 early-career
- Health Professions 4%
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 State University of New York at New Paltz's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into State University of New York at New Paltz? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
State University of New York at New Paltz, located in New Paltz, New York, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 62% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,265. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend State University of New York at New Paltz? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at State University of New York at New Paltz is $18,822, 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 $18,809. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,541 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,750 in federal student loans.
Is State University of New York at New Paltz Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of State University of New York at New Paltz earn a median of $58,073, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does State University of New York at New Paltz Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
State University of New York at New Paltz is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.69%, among the highest in the country. About 9.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is State University of New York at New Paltz? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at State University of New York at New Paltz. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to State University of New York at New Paltz.
- State University of New York at CortlandCortland, NY · Close peer68% grad $60,236 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fashion Institute of TechnologyNew York, NY · Close peer82% grad $62,696 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL · Close peer63% grad $61,767 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Winona State UniversityWinona, MN · Close peer59% grad $58,532 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock, PA · Close peer66% grad $53,032 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD · Close peer68% grad $61,515 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is State University of New York at New Paltz? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at State University of New York at New Paltz. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note