SUNY Geneseo combines selective academic standards with accessible public education. As a Selective Achievers institution, the college delivers strong career outcomes while maintaining moderate costs and manageable debt levels, supporting long-term financial stability for graduates across liberal arts and professional programs.
With above average results, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above average performance, indicating controlled costs and moderate debt levels
With above average results, showing moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's ability to support economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisSUNY Geneseo delivers strong earnings outcomes while maintaining moderate debt levels for graduates. Median earnings reach $67,316 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 83rd percentile nationally.
The earnings range spans from $48,703 at the 25th percentile to $94,584 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across liberal arts and professional programs. While earnings performance is around the national average relative to student demographics, graduates earn $17,200 more annually than the peer median of $50,116.
Students seeking a selective public liberal arts education with strong outcomes in business, mathematics, and sciences. Well-suited for academically prepared students who want small college experience with public school affordability and demonstrated career success across diverse 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.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Suny College At Geneseo hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/suny-college-at-geneseo/analysis.
Selective public liberal arts college
SUNY College at Geneseo ranks #395 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with performance at the 75.8th percentile and well above average institutional outcomes. Located in Geneseo, New York, this medium-sized public institution maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 63.5% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation results.
Geneseo enrolls 25.4% Pell-eligible students and 18.6% first-generation students, positioning it within the Selective Achievers quadrant where institutions serve fewer low-income students while delivering strong outcomes. The college demonstrates exceptional academic preparation with SAT scores among the highest we track, ranging from 1200-1380 with a median of 1296.
This places admitted students well above typical public institution standards. Graduates earn $67,316 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 83rd percentile nationally and significantly above the peer median of $50,116.
SUNY Geneseo admits approximately 63.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 3 applicants receive offers of admission. This places the institution in the moderately selective category, significantly more accessible than highly selective private colleges but more competitive than typical public institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights Geneseo's relative selectivity within the public sector, with acceptance rates 21 percentage points lower than similar institutions. This selectivity level reflects the college's academic reputation and strong outcomes within the SUNY system.
Students should expect meaningful competition for admission, particularly from high-achieving in-state applicants drawn to the liberal arts focus and relatively low cost. The admission process requires solid academic preparation, though the majority of qualified applicants do receive offers.
For prospective students, this selectivity suggests Geneseo should be considered a target school for well-prepared students rather than a safety option, requiring backup plans with higher acceptance rates.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
SUNY Geneseo's published cost of attendance reaches $26,461 annually, including $8,966 in-state tuition, $15,380 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $18,021 after financial aid, representing savings of $8,440 from the sticker price.
This net price sits $3,928 above the peer median of $14,093, reflecting Geneseo's positioning as a selective public institution. The cost structure demonstrates typical patterns for SUNY institutions, with moderate tuition levels but additional expenses for residential students.
Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $19,206, though most attendees benefit from in-state rates. The financial aid system provides meaningful support, with average savings covering nearly one-third of total costs.
Students should expect costs above typical public institutions but well below private college levels, making Geneseo accessible to middle-income families while requiring careful financial planning.
SUNY Geneseo graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median income rising from $51,097 six years after enrollment to $60,682 at eight years and $67,316 at ten years. This represents 31.7% earnings growth from the six-year to ten-year mark, indicating strong career advancement.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 763 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. While earnings performance is around the national average relative to student demographics, graduates significantly outperform peer institutions by $17,200 annually.
Low-income graduates earn $47,400, demonstrating solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. The earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the gap between the 25th percentile ($48,703) and 75th percentile ($94,584) representing a 1.9:1 ratio.
Approximately 18.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education paths.
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
67 graduates
Applied Economics.
25 graduates
Algebra and Number Theory.
50 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
82 graduates
Analytical Chemistry.
17 graduates
SUNY Geneseo offers 19 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Accounting Technology ranks #38 nationally and #4 in New York, producing 67 graduates with median earnings of $78,676 and a strong value score of 86.5.
Applied Economics ranks #85 nationally and #9 in New York, graduating 25 students with median earnings of $74,334. Mathematics ranks #56 nationally and #8 in New York, with 50 graduates earning $65,571.
Business Administration ranks #82 nationally and #8 in New York, graduating 82 students with median earnings of $65,289. Biology ranks #43 nationally and #5 in New York, with 150 graduates earning $51,619.
Psychology represents the largest program by enrollment, graduating 175 students annually with median earnings of $47,289, demonstrating both student demand and career preparation across diverse fields.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
D'youville University Higher acceptance rate (18.8 percentage points higher) and located 55 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 82% | $66,942 | Compare |
University Of Pittsburgh-Bradford Higher acceptance rate (27.3 percentage points higher) and located 73 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PA | 91% | $66,125 | Compare |
Le Moyne College Higher acceptance rate (11.8 percentage points higher) and located 89 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 75% | $62,731 | Compare |
University Of Utah Higher acceptance rate (23.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | UT | 87% | $67,170 | Compare |
Kalamazoo College Higher acceptance rate (12.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MI | 76% | $65,590 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southeastern Oklahoma State University Similar quality tier (#390 ranked) | OK | 80% | $45,079 | #390 | Compare |
North Dakota State University-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#389 ranked) | ND | 96% | $62,203 | #389 | Compare |
Southern Connecticut State University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#387 ranked) | CT | 81% | $55,043 | #387 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Similar quality tier (#395 ranked) | WI | 76% | $58,561 | #395 | Compare |
University Of Louisiana At Monroe Similar quality tier (#383 ranked) | LA | 75% | $46,769 | #383 | Compare |