As an Opportunity Builder institution, SUNY New Paltz combines moderately selective admissions with strong access for diverse student populations. The university serves 32.9% Pell-eligible and 31.7% first-generation students while delivering above-average earnings outcomes and maintaining debt levels below peer medians, supporting sustainable career advancement.
Around the national average, reflecting moderate earnings relative to educational investment
With above average performance, driven by controlled net prices and manageable debt levels
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's commitment to serving Pell-eligible, first-generation, and transfer students
With well above average outcomes, indicating effective translation of educational opportunity into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Well above average access and mobility performance
State University of New York at New Paltz ranks #320 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with access performance at the 81.4th percentile leading its four institutional pillars. Located in New Paltz, New York, this medium-sized public university maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 58.7% acceptance rate while serving diverse student populations.
SUNY New Paltz enrolls 32.9% Pell-eligible students and 31.7% first-generation students, placing it well above typical peers on access measures. The institution also enrolls 35.6% transfer students, reflecting its role in providing educational pathways for non-traditional learners.
Graduates earn a median of $58,073 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 66th percentile nationally and $7,957 above the peer median of $50,116. This combination of moderate selectivity, strong access, and above-average earnings positions SUNY New Paltz as an Opportunity Builder institution that balances educational access with solid post-graduation outcomes.
SUNY New Paltz delivers above-average earnings outcomes alongside controlled borrowing levels. Graduates earn a median of $58,073 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 66th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $37,617 at the 25th percentile to $82,174 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines. While earnings fall $1,581 below expectations based on student demographics, placing it around the national average for value-added performance, the institution maintains a favorable debt profile.
Students seeking solid career outcomes at a moderately selective public institution with strong access for first-generation and transfer students. Well-suited for those who want above-average post-graduation earnings alongside manageable debt levels, particularly in education, psychology, and digital communications fields.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the State University Of New York At New Paltz hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/state-university-of-new-york-at-new-paltz/analysis.
SUNY New Paltz admits approximately 58.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the moderately selective category, making it more accessible than highly competitive universities while maintaining academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights that SUNY New Paltz is notably more selective than typical four-year public institutions, accepting 25.9 percentage points fewer applicants than the average peer. This level of selectivity means that academically prepared students have reasonable admission prospects, though the university does evaluate applications holistically rather than accepting all qualified candidates.
Students should expect some competition for admission spots, particularly in popular programs like Psychology and Communications. For prospective applicants, SUNY New Paltz represents a solid target school rather than a safety, requiring attention to application quality and academic preparation.
The moderate selectivity level allows the institution to maintain academic rigor while remaining accessible to students from diverse educational backgrounds, including the substantial transfer student population that comprises 35.6% of enrollment.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
SUNY New Paltz's published cost of attendance is $27,034 per year, including $18,434 in out-of-state tuition (or $8,524 for New York residents), $15,896 for room and board, and $1,240 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $18,481 after financial aid, representing $8,553 in financial aid savings.
This net price places SUNY New Paltz $4,388 above the peer median of $14,093, indicating higher costs than typical public institutions in its comparison group. The difference reflects SUNY New Paltz's stronger academic profile and location in New York, where educational costs tend to exceed national averages.
Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $11,330 for the lowest-income families to $25,074 for the highest-income tier. This $13,744 spread demonstrates progressive financial aid that concentrates support toward families with the greatest need.
The cost structure makes SUNY New Paltz accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds while reflecting the investment required for quality public higher education in New York State.
SUNY New Paltz graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $45,555 six years after enrollment to $53,453 at eight years and $58,073 at ten years, representing 27.5% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohort sizes of 900, 990, and 1,057 graduates across the three timeframes, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $58,073 at the ten-year mark, placing the institution in the 66th percentile nationally and $7,957 above the peer median of $50,116.
While earnings fall $1,581 below expectations relative to student demographics, this places SUNY New Paltz around the national average for value-added performance. Low-income graduates earn $46,100, demonstrating the institution's ability to support economic mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Earnings span from $37,617 at the 25th percentile to $82,174 at the 75th percentile, with a 2.2:1 ratio reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 20.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Artificial Intelligence.
41 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
26 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
14 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
43 graduates
Business/Commerce, General.
31 graduates
SUNY New Paltz offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking. Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #10 nationally and #5 in New York, graduating 93 students with median earnings of $52,303 and an exceptional value score of 93.5.
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia ranks #12 nationally and #3 in New York, producing 109 graduates with median earnings of $45,474. Adult and Continuing Education ranks #16 nationally and #11 in New York, graduating 110 students with median earnings of $51,350 and a strong value score of 93.1.
Psychology, the institution's largest program by enrollment, graduates 194 students annually with median earnings of $48,194 and ranks #68 nationally. Communication and Media Studies graduates 120 students with median earnings of $46,678 and ranks #64 nationally.
Applied/Public Sociology graduates 113 students earning $45,421 and ranks #54 nationally. These programs reflect SUNY New Paltz's strengths in education, communications, and social sciences, with several achieving top-tier national rankings in their respective fields.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Suny Old Westbury Higher acceptance rate (25.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 70 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 85% | $58,526 | Compare |
Manhattanville College Higher acceptance rate (26 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 53 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 85% | $58,832 | Compare |
William Paterson University Of New Jersey Higher acceptance rate (33.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 55 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NJ | 93% | $57,780 | Compare |
State University Of New York At Oswego Higher acceptance rate (21.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 80% | $57,566 | Compare |
St Bonaventure University Higher acceptance rate (22.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 82% | $57,214 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater Similar quality tier (#321 ranked) | WI | 83% | $55,356 | #321 | Compare |
Eastern Michigan University Similar quality tier (#322 ranked) | MI | 81% | $51,793 | #322 | Compare |
Lamar University Similar quality tier (#323 ranked) | TX | 86% | $49,652 | #323 | Compare |
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Similar quality tier (#317 ranked) | IL | 90% | $53,390 | #317 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Similar quality tier in Northeast (#316 ranked) | MA | 92% | $68,804 | #316 | Compare |
