University at Albany
- Graduation Rate
- 63% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $67,979 A
- Top 9% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $17,167 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 69% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 28.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $28.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $28.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,913,066.
What The Data Says
-
A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 67% more than the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $28.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University at Albany Matters
University at Albany is a public research university in Albany, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 9% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 12,564
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Psychology
Why students choose University at Albany
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 69% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,167 a year after grants and scholarships — 0% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $67,979 ten years after enrolling — 67% above the typical college, against $19,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
With over 12,500 students, the University at Albany is a solid choice for those looking for a diverse and engaging college experience. The acceptance rate of 69% means that while it’s competitive, many students can find a place here. Popular fields of study include Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Psychology, and Criminal Justice, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests and career goals.
Looking at life after graduation, alumni earn an average of $67,979 a decade after finishing their degrees. This strong earning potential reflects the value of the programs offered and the demand for graduates in the job market. Affordability is also a consideration; with nearly half of students receiving Pell Grants, the university is accessible to those who need financial support.
The net price after aid stands at $17,167, which is quite manageable for many families. Graduates leave with a median debt of $19,500, a number that suggests a reasonable investment in education. Those who thrive here tend to be self-motivated and engaged, ready to take advantage of the opportunities available on campus and beyond.
Rankings
- #22 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York
- #34 Best Communications Colleges in New York
- #36 Best Computer Science Colleges in New York
- #36 Best Data Science Colleges in New York
- #38 Best MBA Programs in New York
- #40 Highest-Paying Colleges for Criminal Justice
- #42 Best Education Colleges in New York
- #44 Best Online Education Programs in New York
Can I Get In?
How selective University at Albany 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 University at Albany? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University at Albany, located in Albany, New York, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 69% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 26. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 69%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 57%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,012
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.76
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 25,976
- Admitted
- 17,639
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 University at Albany? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University at Albany is $31,256, 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 $17,167. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,112 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,866
- Out-of-State
- $31,256
- Avg Net Price
- $17,167
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 44%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 51%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,112
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,062
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,923
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,085
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 University at Albany — 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 University at Albany Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University at Albany earn a median of $67,979, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $51,380
- 8 Years
- $60,335
- 10 Years
- $67,979
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.29x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,471)
- 58%
- 100% (1,471)
- 58%
- 100% (1,471)
- 58%
- 100% (1,471)
- 58%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University at Albany Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University at Albany delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,167/year ($68,668 total). Graduates earn $67,979 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,981,734 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,913,066 (28.9× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 63% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $68,668
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,981,734
- Net Return
- $1,913,066
- ROI Multiple
- 28.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,167
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $1,054,594
Top Programs
The fields University at Albany 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.
- Social Sciences 15% $45,208 early-career
- Business & Marketing 14% $59,364 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 13% $71,505 early-career
- Psychology 9% $30,899 early-career
- Criminal Justice 9% $38,251 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $32,078 early-career
- Communications 6% $36,192 early-career
- Education 5% $63,735 early-career
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 University at Albany'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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University at Albany? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University at Albany, located in Albany, New York, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 69% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 26. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University at Albany? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University at Albany is $31,256, 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 $17,167. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,112 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
Is University at Albany Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University at Albany earn a median of $67,979, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University at Albany.
- University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD · Close peer70% grad $69,960 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, MA · Close peer67% grad $64,874 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Rhode IslandKingston, RI · Close peer72% grad $69,743 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA · Close peer75% grad $68,396 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Massachusetts-BostonBoston, MA · Close peer50% grad $65,865 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV · Close peer62% grad $60,614 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
