SUNY College at Plattsburgh maintains moderate costs typical of public higher education, with a published cost of attendance of $27,415 per year. This total includes $8,881 in in-state tuition, $18,791 for out-of-state students, $16,570 for room and board, and $1,320 for books and supplies.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $28,244 |
| Tuition and Fees | $18,945 |
| Room and Board | $17,300 |
| Books and Supplies | $930 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,088 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $17,156 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $9,400 |
| $30–48k | $12,121 |
| $48–75k | $17,076 |
| $75–110k | $17,655 |
| $110k+ | $24,611 |
SUNY College at Plattsburgh maintains moderate costs typical of public higher education, with a published cost of attendance of $27,415 per year. This total includes $8,881 in in-state tuition, $18,791 for out-of-state students, $16,570 for room and board, and $1,320 for books and supplies. However, financial aid significantly reduces these costs for most families, with average savings of $10,868 per student.
The average net price after aid is $16,547, which is $2,454 higher than the peer median of $14,093, indicating somewhat elevated costs compared to similar public institutions. Despite this cost premium, the college maintains accessibility across income levels through its need-based aid programs. Net prices vary substantially by family income, creating a progressive cost structure that supports economic diversity.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Student borrowing at SUNY Plattsburgh remains within manageable ranges despite somewhat elevated costs. Median student debt of $21,196 closely matches the peer median of $21,105, indicating that debt levels align with similar institutions despite higher net prices.
Debt levels span from $8,250 at the 25th percentile to $26,062 at the 75th percentile, showing reasonable variation based on family circumstances and aid eligibility. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 indicates that graduates typically carry debt equal to about 38% of their annual starting salary, which falls within manageable parameters for loan repayment.
Parent PLUS borrowers carry median debt of $16,685 with monthly payments of $220, representing additional family investment in their students' education. The combination of moderate student debt and solid post-graduation earnings creates favorable conditions for loan repayment, though families should carefully consider total borrowing across all family members when making enrollment decisions.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
SUNY Plattsburgh delivers solid return on educational investment despite modestly elevated costs compared to peer institutions. While graduates earn $2,006 below expectations based on student demographics, placing the college around the national average at the 47th percentile for earnings beyond expectations, the absolute earnings level of $56,403 ranks at the 61st percentile nationally.
Graduates earn $6,287 more than the peer median of $50,116, indicating superior outcomes relative to similar public institutions. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 supports manageable loan repayment, while the progressive cost structure ensures that lower-income students access strong outcomes at reduced prices.
Low-income graduates earning $43,000 represent solid mobility outcomes for this population. The combination of accessible admission, diverse program strengths, and reasonable post-graduation debt positions creates favorable investment conditions, particularly for students in high-performing programs like nursing, education, and environmental science.
SUNY Plattsburgh demonstrates strong commitment to financial accessibility through its aid programs, though costs run somewhat higher than peer institutions. The average financial aid savings of $10,868 per student reflects meaningful support across the student body.
With 38.5% of students receiving Pell grants, the college serves a substantial population of lower-income students who benefit from federal and institutional aid programs. The net price structure shows progressive targeting, with the lowest-income families paying less than 40% of what the highest-income families pay annually.
This aid distribution enables the diverse student composition that includes significant first-generation and transfer student populations. The college's net price of $16,547 exceeds the peer median by $2,454, suggesting that while aid is available, families may pay somewhat more than at comparable public institutions.
