Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks State University of New York At Cortland #530 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,032 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing State University of New York At Cortland in the 16.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks State University of New York At Cortland #959 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
State University of New York at Cortland's published cost of attendance is $28,108. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $12,550; middle-income families pay about $20,102; higher-income families pay approximately $25,853. Azimuth ranks State University of New York At Cortland #717 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. As a public university, SUNY Cortland's tuition structure and state support create a more compressed net-price spread than many private institutions. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Most students receive need-based aid, and the net-price figures above reflect how that aid closes the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,455; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's typical four-year earnings, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
State University of New York at Cortland is a strong fit for students interested in education and related fields who want a public university experience in NY. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,555, placing State University of New York At Cortland in the 38.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $12,032 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing State University of New York At Cortland in the 16.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution serves a significant population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 27.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 27.1% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $25,853, with need-based aid available to help close the gap for qualifying students. Fit depends on program alignment — Education represents 32% of degrees, making this a particularly strong choice for students pursuing careers in education and related 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 Cortland hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Azimuth ranks State University of New York At Cortland #530 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Cortland, NY, State University of New York At Cortland enrolls roughly 5,901 undergraduates. Retention is 81.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 68.0%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Where State University of New York At Cortland performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks State University of New York At Cortland #959 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,032 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing State University of New York At Cortland in the 16.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's concentration in Education — a field with strong labor-market demand and clear career pathways — anchors this earnings advantage and supports consistent outcomes across the student body. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. State University of New York At Cortland sits in the 69.2 percentile for access and the 49.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 27.4% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 27.1% identifying as first-generation college students. Mobility outcomes are strong — in the 84.2 percentile — reflecting the institution's success in moving graduates into stable, well-compensated careers regardless of background. For families weighing affordability and long-term financial outcomes together, State University of New York At Cortland offers a public-university pathway with meaningful earnings upside relative to the cost structure.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
State University of New York at Cortland's published cost of attendance is $28,108. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels.
Low-income families pay approximately $12,550; middle-income families pay about $20,102; higher-income families pay approximately $25,853. Azimuth ranks State University of New York At Cortland #717 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. As a public university, SUNY Cortland's tuition structure and state support create a more compressed net-price spread than many private institutions.
The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Most students receive need-based aid, and the net-price figures above reflect how that aid closes the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,455; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's typical four-year earnings, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of State University of New York At Cortland earn median 4-year earnings of $58,555, placing the institution in the 38.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,032 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing State University of New York At Cortland in the 16.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks State University of New York At Cortland #959 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects State University of New York At Cortland's concentration in education and related fields.
Kinesiology is the largest program with 236 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $56,466, at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Subject-Specific Teacher Education program graduates 233 students earning $63,201, and the The Teacher Education program graduates 138 students earning $62,275.
These programs anchor the institution's degree output and shape the overall earnings trajectory for most graduates.
Special Education and Teaching
86 graduates
Business/Managerial Economics
93 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
78 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
233 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
138 graduates
State University of New York at Cortland's program mix is anchored in education and teacher preparation. Kinesiology is the largest program with 236 graduates, followed by Subject-Specific Teacher Education, Teacher Education, Business/Managerial Economics, and Special Education and Teaching.
Across ranked programs serving roughly 1,458 students annually, several deliver solid median four-year earnings outcomes. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's concentration in education and applied professional fields.
Special Education and Teaching leads with median earnings of $74,079 four years after enrollment across 86 graduates, followed by Business/Managerial Economics with $66,644 and 93 graduates. Communication and Media Studies graduates report median earnings of $63,431 across 78 students, while Subject-Specific Teacher Education and Teacher Education round out the earnings leaders.
Education represents the dominant concentration at State University of New York at Cortland, with Education and Social Sciences also present in the program portfolio. This mix positions graduates for careers in education, social services, and related sectors where regional demand remains steady.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with labor-market trends in New York and the Northeast.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Suny Oneonta Higher acceptance rate (19.4 percentage points higher) and located 58 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 70% | $60,386 | Compare |
Keuka College Higher acceptance rate (43.2 percentage points higher) and located 46 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 94% | $58,289 | Compare |
King's College Higher acceptance rate (42.5 percentage points higher) and located 94 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PA | 93% | $59,498 | Compare |
St. Thomas Aquinas College Higher acceptance rate (31.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 82% | $62,909 | Compare |
Bridgewater State University Higher acceptance rate (38.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MA | 89% | $57,466 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Westfield State University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15566 ranked) | MA | 81% | $57,346 | #15566 | Compare |
Montana State University Similar quality tier (#15576 ranked) | MT | 82% | $53,263 | #15576 | Compare |
Fitchburg State University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15584 ranked) | MA | 87% | $53,874 | #15584 | Compare |
Jackson State University Similar quality tier (#15585 ranked) | MS | 93% | $39,060 | #15585 | Compare |
Indiana University-Kokomo Similar quality tier (#15556 ranked) | IN | 86% | $49,917 | #15556 | Compare |
