SUNY Oneonta combines moderate selectivity with strong mobility outcomes as an Opportunity Builder institution. Graduates earn $10,270 above peer medians while maintaining debt levels below comparable institutions, creating favorable conditions for post-graduation financial stability and career advancement.
Placing it around the national average, as solid earnings outcomes balance against moderate value-added performance
With above average performance driven by controlled net prices and manageable debt levels
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in converting access into economic advancement
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in converting access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisSUNY Oneonta delivers solid return on investment through controlled costs and steady graduate earnings. Students pay a median of $19,812 in debt, slightly below the peer median of $21,105, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33.
Graduates earn $60,386 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 73rd percentile nationally and $10,270 above the peer median of $50,116. The net price of $18,833 sits $4,740 below peer institutions, making education more affordable for families across income levels.
Students seeking strong regional outcomes at a public institution with reasonable costs and moderate selectivity. Well-suited for those interested in business, education, and criminal justice programs, particularly first-generation students (25.8%) looking for a supportive environment with solid career preparation at an accessible price point.
SUNY Oneonta admits approximately 70.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the moderately selective category, making it more accessible than highly competitive universities while maintaining meaningful admission standards.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows that SUNY Oneonta is somewhat more selective than typical public institutions in its comparison group. This selectivity level creates a balanced admissions environment where qualified students have reasonable prospects for admission without the extreme uncertainty faced at highly selective institutions.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
SUNY Oneonta's published cost of attendance is $27,258 per year, including $8,812 in in-state tuition, $19,232 for out-of-state students, $15,810 for room and board, and $1,400 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $18,833 after financial aid, representing savings of $8,425 from the sticker price.
This net price sits $4,740 below the peer median of $14,093, making SUNY Oneonta more expensive than comparable public institutions in its peer group. The substantial gap between published prices and actual costs reflects the institution's financial aid efforts, though net prices remain higher than similar universities.
New York residents benefit from the lower in-state tuition rate, while out-of-state students face the full published tuition. The difference between in-state and out-of-state costs creates a significant price advantage for New York residents, with out-of-state students paying approximately $10,420 more annually in tuition alone.
Financial aid effectiveness varies by family income, with lower-income families receiving more substantial support to offset published prices. The net price calculation includes all forms of aid, including federal Pell grants, state aid, and institutional scholarships, providing a more accurate picture of actual family costs than sticker prices suggest.
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
25 graduates
Business/Managerial Economics.
172 graduates
Corrections Administration.
92 graduates
American Government and Politics (United States).
20 graduates
Agricultural Teacher Education.
63 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Similar quality tier (#411 ranked) | CA | 99% | $47,626 | #411 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the Suny Oneonta hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/suny-oneonta/analysis.
Well above average mobility performance
SUNY Oneonta demonstrates well above average mobility performance, ranking #415 nationally with mobility at the 83.96th percentile. Located in Oneonta, New York, this medium-sized public university maintains moderate selectivity with a 70.2% admission rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
The institution enrolls 33.3% Pell-eligible students and 25.8% first-generation students, positioning it within the Opportunity Builders category where institutions balance accessibility with strong outcomes. Graduates earn $60,386 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 73rd percentile nationally.
While earnings beyond expectations register slightly below the median at -$2,558, the institution's strong mobility performance reflects its ability to serve diverse student populations effectively. Test scores rank at the 93rd percentile with SAT scores ranging from 1090 to 1250, indicating academic rigor despite accessible admission standards.
This combination of moderate selectivity, diverse enrollment, and solid earnings outcomes positions SUNY Oneonta as an Opportunity Builder institution focused on converting educational access into economic advancement.
Students with solid academic credentials should view SUNY Oneonta as a realistic option rather than a reach school. The 70% admission rate indicates that the institution evaluates applicants holistically while maintaining standards that support strong academic outcomes.
For most applicants with appropriate academic preparation, admission probability is favorable, making SUNY Oneonta an accessible choice for building a balanced college list. Students should still present their strongest academic profile, but the admission rate suggests that competitive applicants can reasonably expect positive outcomes in the application process.
SUNY Oneonta graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over the early career period. Median earnings increase from $49,723 six years after enrollment to $57,701 at eight years and $60,386 at ten years, representing 21.4% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 1,125 graduates, providing solid confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $10,270 more annually than the peer median of $50,116, indicating strong performance relative to similar public institutions.
Earnings distribution spans from $43,193 at the 25th percentile to $82,950 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. The 1.9:1 ratio between top and bottom quartile earnings suggests moderate variation in outcomes across disciplines.
Low-income graduates earn $39,700 annually, supporting economic mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds. Approximately 18.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Cohort sizes grow from 780 at six years to 1,125 at ten years, reflecting consistent tracking of graduate outcomes across multiple graduating classes.
SUNY Oneonta offers 18 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome tracking. Business/Managerial Economics ranks #8 nationally and #1 in New York State, producing 172 graduates with median earnings of $69,125 and an impressive value score of 85.7.
Corrections Administration ranks #6 nationally and #2 in the state, graduating 92 students with median earnings of $59,313. Adult and Continuing Education ranks #10 nationally and #7 in New York, with 113 graduates earning $51,242.
Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #7 nationally and #4 in the state, graduating 63 students with median earnings of $56,592. Clinical Nutrition ranks #2 nationally and #2 in New York State, producing 27 graduates earning $55,178.
Several programs achieve flagship status at the institution, including Communication and Media Studies with 186 graduates, Psychology with 162 graduates, and Biology with 107 graduates, demonstrating strong student demand across diverse academic fields.
Northeastern State University Similar quality tier (#414 ranked) | OK | 99% | $45,379 | #414 | Compare |
University Of Michigan-Flint Similar quality tier (#409 ranked) | MI | 69% | $53,230 | #409 | Compare |
Austin Peay State University Similar quality tier (#416 ranked) | TN | 96% | $44,301 | #416 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Similar quality tier (#405 ranked) | WI | 90% | $52,021 | #405 | Compare |
