SUNY Oswego combines accessible admission with solid post-graduation outcomes, ranking in the 88.6th percentile for mobility. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university serves diverse student populations with manageable debt levels below peer institutions, supporting long-term financial stability despite modest earnings relative to expectations.
Modestly below average due to earnings that fall short of expectations given student characteristics
With above average performance, driven by controlled net prices and manageable debt levels
Well above average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to selectivity level
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Well above average mobility outcomes
State University Of New York At Oswego ranks #344 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 88.6th percentile. Located in Oswego, New York, this medium-sized public university maintains open access with an 80.4% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
SUNY Oswego enrolls 38.7% Pell-eligible students and 27.8% first-generation students, demonstrating strong commitment to educational accessibility. The institution combines high test score performance—SAT scores at the 93rd percentile nationally with a midpoint of 1,177—alongside accessible admission standards.
This profile places SUNY Oswego within the Opportunity Builders quadrant, where institutions maintain broad access while achieving solid economic outcomes. Graduates earn slightly below expectations relative to similar students, with median earnings of $57,566 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 65th percentile nationally.
The university excels particularly in access and mobility measures while maintaining reasonable affordability for students.
SUNY Oswego delivers solid return on investment despite modest earnings performance relative to expectations. Graduates earn a median of $57,566 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 65th percentile nationally.
While graduates earn $3,329 below expectations compared to similar students, this places the institution around the national average for value creation. Earnings range from $38,620 at the 25th percentile to $78,974 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across the university's 20 academic programs.
Students seeking a comprehensive public university experience with diverse academic options and manageable costs. Well-suited for those prioritizing accessibility and practical career preparation over highly competitive environments.
Strong fit for first-generation students and those from diverse economic backgrounds seeking quality education with reasonable debt levels.
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 Oswego hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/state-university-of-new-york-at-oswego/analysis.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
State University Of New York At Oswego's published cost of attendance reaches $27,155 annually—comprising $18,679 in out-of-state tuition ($8,769 for New York residents), $15,440 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less at $17,231 after financial aid, representing $9,924 in average aid savings.
This net price places SUNY Oswego at a $3,138 advantage compared to the peer median of $14,093, making it more expensive than similar institutions. The university's pricing structure reflects its position as a comprehensive public university serving both in-state and out-of-state students.
Net costs vary substantially by family income, ranging from $10,677 for the lowest-income families to $23,253 for the highest-income bracket. The $12,576 gap between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates the university's progressive aid approach, though the overall net price remains above typical peer institutions.
Financial aid covers approximately 37% of published costs on average, with higher percentages for lower-income students through federal and state aid programs.
SUNY Oswego graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their early careers. Median earnings rise from $46,358 six years after enrollment to $52,620 at eight years and $57,566 at ten years, representing 24.2% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 1,490 graduates, providing strong confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $3,329 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the institution at the 41.3rd percentile for earnings uplift—around the national average.
Low-income graduates earn $43,800, demonstrating the university's ability to support economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The earnings distribution spans from $38,620 at the 25th percentile to $78,974 at the 75th percentile, a 2.0:1 ratio indicating moderate variation in outcomes across programs and career paths.
Approximately 24.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, with high confidence in this estimate based on program mix analysis. Compared to peer institutions with similar characteristics, SUNY Oswego graduates earn $7,450 more annually, positioning the university well within its comparison group despite modest value creation metrics.
Computer Engineering, General.
11 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
61 graduates
Applied Economics.
9 graduates
Biology, General.
64 graduates
Insurance.
8 graduates
SUNY Oswego offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Business Administration and Management leads enrollment with 202 graduates earning a median of $53,870, ranking #146 nationally and #11 in New York state.
Digital Communication and Media ranks impressively at #16 nationally and #5 in New York, graduating 145 students with median earnings of $41,333 and a strong value score of 76.2. Adult and Continuing Education demonstrates exceptional performance, ranking #9 nationally and #6 in New York with graduates earning $51,468.
Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #29 nationally with graduates earning $45,184, while Banking and Financial Support Services produces the highest earnings at $68,781 with a #74 national ranking. The university's flagship programs span diverse fields from business and education to communications and sciences, providing multiple pathways for career preparation.
Psychology graduates 110 students annually with median earnings of $42,690, reflecting strong demand across the curriculum.
State University Of New York At Oswego admits 80.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 out of 5 applicants receive admission offers. This places SUNY Oswego in the Open Access category, providing broad educational opportunity to qualified students.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows that SUNY Oswego is slightly more selective than typical institutions with similar characteristics, though the difference is modest at 4.2 percentage points. This level of accessibility means that most students with solid academic preparation can expect admission consideration.
The open access model reflects the university's public mission to serve diverse student populations while maintaining academic standards through other measures like test score expectations. Students should view SUNY Oswego as an accessible option while still demonstrating academic readiness through coursework and standardized testing.
The combination of broad admission access with strong test score performance among enrolled students indicates that many qualified applicants choose to attend, creating a selective student body despite accessible admission policies. For prospective applicants, this means focusing on demonstrating academic preparation and genuine interest in the university's programs rather than viewing admission as uncertain.
Students building college lists should consider SUNY Oswego as a solid foundation choice while also exploring more competitive options if their academic profile supports such applications.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fayetteville State University Similar quality tier (#343 ranked) | NC | 80% | $40,144 | #343 | Compare |
Texas A&M University-San Antonio Similar quality tier (#344 ranked) | TX | 92% | $54,338 | #344 | Compare |
University Of Illinois Springfield Similar quality tier (#336 ranked) | IL | 84% | $57,103 | #336 | Compare |
New Mexico State University-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#334 ranked) | NM | 76% | $39,067 | #334 | Compare |
University Of Alabama In Huntsville Similar quality tier (#346 ranked) | AL | 74% | $61,767 | #346 | Compare |