Students at Siena College achieve earnings that place the institution among the top performers nationally, with graduates earning well above typical outcomes for similar private colleges.
The combination of strong career preparation and excellent loan repayment performance makes Siena a solid financial investment for families who can manage the higher upfront costs.
Siena College delivers strong long-term financial outcomes for graduates, though access remains limited by higher costs typical of private institutions. Located in Loudonville, New York, this medium-sized private college focuses on preparing students for professional careers, with graduates earning a median of $76,079 ten years after enrollment. The institution ranks in the 88th percentile nationally for earnings, reflecting its strength in business, technology, and professional programs that connect directly to well-paying career paths.
What distinguishes Siena is its ability to help students achieve strong financial outcomes across multiple fields. The college's Digital Marketing program combines solid enrollment with strong earnings potential, while newer programs like Artificial Intelligence position graduates for high-demand tech careers. With about 23% of students receiving Pell Grants and a 76% six-year graduation rate, Siena serves primarily middle- and upper-income families who can manage higher net prices in exchange for personalized education and strong career preparation.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Siena demonstrates that smaller private colleges can deliver meaningful economic value when they focus on career-oriented programs and maintain strong employer connections. The college's location in the Capital Region provides access to government, business, and technology employers while offering the close-knit community experience that many families seek from private higher education.
Siena College's program portfolio balances popular liberal arts majors with professionally-oriented fields that lead directly to strong career outcomes. Digital Marketing represents the college's sweet spot, combining substantial enrollment of 116 graduates with solid median earnings of $47,565, creating significant aggregate value for both students and the institution. This program reflects Siena's ability to identify emerging professional fields and build curriculum that meets employer demand.
The college's technology programs show particular promise for high earnings. Artificial Intelligence, though smaller with 40 graduates, produces the highest individual earnings at $62,734, positioning students for high-demand roles in tech and data science. This premium reflects both the specialized nature of the field and the college's investment in cutting-edge curriculum that prepares students for rapidly evolving technology careers.
Traditional liberal arts programs maintain strong enrollment but show more varied outcomes. Psychology remains the largest major with 85 graduates earning around $31,133, typical for a field where many students pursue graduate school or entry-level positions in social services. Biology graduates earn about $29,141, reflecting the common pattern of pre-health students who often continue to medical or graduate school. These programs serve important educational missions but require students to think strategically about post-graduation pathways to maximize their investment.
Siena College graduates achieve strong long-term earnings that place the institution among the top performers nationally. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $76,079, ranking in the 88th percentile compared with similar institutions. This performance reflects the college's focus on professional programs and career preparation, with particularly strong outcomes in business, technology, and specialized fields that connect directly to high-demand career paths.
The college's program mix drives much of this success. Digital Marketing stands out as both popular and financially rewarding, graduating 116 students annually with median earnings of $47,565—a combination that generates substantial aggregate value for the institution. Artificial Intelligence, though smaller with 40 graduates, produces the highest individual earnings at $62,734, reflecting the premium that tech employers place on specialized skills. Psychology remains the largest program with 85 graduates, though earnings are more modest at $31,133, while Biology graduates earn around $29,141 in early career years, typical for students often pursuing graduate school or entry-level research positions.
Siena's strength lies in preparing students for careers that offer both immediate earning potential and long-term growth. The college's location in New York's Capital Region provides access to diverse employers in government, finance, technology, and healthcare, while the institution's career services and alumni network help students transition effectively from college to professional roles.
Affordability represents Siena College's primary challenge, with net prices that place significant financial demands on most families. Low-income students face annual costs of about $25,588, while middle-income families pay around $28,940, and higher-income households see net prices reach $37,049. These figures reflect the reality of private college pricing, where even substantial financial aid leaves most families with considerable out-of-pocket expenses that rank in the bottom 12th percentile nationally for affordability.
The debt picture requires careful family planning. Typical graduates leave with about $26,561 in federal student loan debt, a manageable level given Siena's strong earnings outcomes, but many families also rely on Parent PLUS loans averaging $33,856 to bridge the gap between aid and total costs. Combined, these borrowing levels mean that families often take on $60,000 or more in total educational debt, making Siena a significant financial commitment that works best for families with substantial income or savings to support the investment.
What makes this investment more sustainable is Siena's strong loan repayment performance. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, and graduates demonstrate excellent repayment behavior, with nearly 15% of borrowers paying off their loans entirely within the first year after graduation. This repayment success reflects both the strong earnings outcomes and the financial literacy that comes with families who can afford private college costs in the first place.
Siena College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
