SUNY Plattsburgh combines accessible admission with strong program-specific outcomes, particularly in health professions and education. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the college serves diverse student populations with above average mobility outcomes while maintaining affordability for families across income levels.
Modestly below average outcomes relative to educational investment costs
With above average performance, driven by manageable costs and controlled debt levels
Well above average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With well above average performance, reflecting the college's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisSUNY Plattsburgh delivers solid earnings outcomes relative to its accessible admission profile and moderate costs. Graduates earn a median of $56,403 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 61st percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $35,998 at the 25th percentile to $76,683 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse program pathways and career trajectories across fields. While earnings fall $2,006 below expectations based on student demographics, this places the institution around the national average at the 47th percentile for earnings beyond expectations.
Students seeking accessible public education with strong outcomes in specialized fields like nursing, environmental science, and criminal justice. Well-suited for first-generation students (31.4%) and Pell-eligible students (38.5%) who want above-average mobility outcomes without highly competitive admission requirements.
SUNY Plattsburgh's Opportunity Builder profile reflects its ability to deliver earnings growth while maintaining broad access.
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 Plattsburgh hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/suny-college-at-plattsburgh/analysis.
Accessible public education with specialized program strengths
SUNY College at Plattsburgh ranks #440 nationally with above average performance at the 73rd percentile. Located in Plattsburgh, New York, this medium-sized public institution maintains accessible admission standards with a 75.2% acceptance rate while delivering above average earnings outcomes.
The college enrolls 38.5% Pell-eligible students and 31.4% first-generation students, demonstrating its commitment to educational access. Students achieve SAT scores ranging from 1100 to 1270, with top-tier performance at the 93rd percentile nationally, indicating strong academic preparation despite accessible admission.
Graduates earn $56,403 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution at the 61st percentile for earnings. This combination of accessible admission, diverse student enrollment, and solid post-graduation outcomes positions SUNY Plattsburgh as an Opportunity Builder institution that serves students from varied backgrounds while maintaining educational quality and career preparation.
SUNY Plattsburgh admits 75.2% of applicants, meaning approximately 3 in 4 applicants receive offers of admission. This admission rate falls within the Open Access category, making the college significantly more accessible than many four-year institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that SUNY Plattsburgh maintains slightly more selective standards than typical institutions in its comparison group, though the difference is modest. This selectivity level means that most academically prepared students have strong chances of admission, though the college does maintain academic standards as evidenced by the strong SAT performance of enrolled students.
Students should view SUNY Plattsburgh as an accessible option that balances opportunity with quality, making it suitable for students seeking reliable admission chances while still attending an institution with solid academic credentials. The relatively accessible admission creates opportunities for students who may not qualify for highly selective institutions but still want strong post-graduation outcomes, particularly in specialized fields like nursing and education.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
104 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
24 graduates
Applied Economics.
20 graduates
Blood Bank Technology Specialist.
8 graduates
Information Resources Management.
18 graduates
SUNY Plattsburgh offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing leads with 104 graduates earning $79,280 and ranking #125 nationally, #21 in New York state.
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching stands out with a remarkable #17 national ranking and value score of 92.7, graduating 44 students with median earnings of $57,485. Environmental Science ranks #33 nationally and #3 in New York, with 45 graduates earning $53,049 and a strong value score of 76.3.
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia ranks #15 nationally and #4 in New York, graduating 77 students with earnings of $46,695. Corrections Administration performs exceptionally well with a #47 national ranking and impressive value score of 75.9, graduating 80 students with earnings of $51,302.
Business Administration and Management represents the largest program with 174 graduates earning $55,355.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purdue University Northwest Similar quality tier (#434 ranked) | IN | 71% | $48,318 | #434 | Compare |
Indiana University-Kokomo Similar quality tier (#433 ranked) | IN | 85% | $49,917 | #433 | Compare |
University Of Missouri-St Louis Similar quality tier (#439 ranked) | MO | 57% | $53,037 | #439 | Compare |
Suny Polytechnic Institute Similar quality tier in Northeast (#440 ranked) | NY | 78% | $64,355 | #440 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Parkside Similar quality tier (#442 ranked) | WI | 73% | $51,129 | #442 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
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.
The combination of moderate sticker prices and meaningful financial aid enables the college to serve both middle-class families paying near full cost and lower-income families receiving substantial aid reductions.
SUNY Plattsburgh graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout their careers. Median earnings rise from $48,089 six years after enrollment to $51,739 at eight years and $56,403 at ten years, representing 17.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 823 to 1,113 graduates across different time horizons, providing confidence in the reported figures. Earnings span from $35,998 at the 25th percentile to $76,683 at the 75th percentile, with a 2.1:1 ratio reflecting reasonable variation across programs and career choices.
Low-income graduates earn $43,000, ranking among the top 50% nationally, indicating the institution supports economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Approximately 25.5% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, with high confidence in this estimate based on program mix analysis, showing the college prepares students for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
