Students at SUNY Oneonta achieve earnings that place the university in the top 25% nationally, reflecting strong career preparation and alumni network connections throughout New York state.
Graduates benefit from solid completion rates and demonstrate excellent loan repayment success, with zero defaults on federal student loans.
SUNY Oneonta ranks among public four-year institutions with a balanced profile that emphasizes accessibility and steady outcomes. The university serves a diverse student body with about 33% of students receiving Pell Grants and roughly 26% being first-generation college students, while maintaining solid graduation rates that exceed many peer institutions. Students complete their degrees at higher-than-average rates, with 70% finishing within six years and 74% within eight years.
What distinguishes SUNY Oneonta is its consistent delivery of above-average earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $60,386 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 78th percentile nationally for long-term earnings. This performance reflects the university's strength in business and professional programs, combined with its location in New York state where graduates have access to diverse employment markets.
As a medium-sized public university in New York, SUNY Oneonta provides the personal attention of a smaller institution while offering the resources and program breadth of the SUNY system. The university maintains reasonable affordability across income levels while delivering earnings outcomes that justify the investment for most students and families.
SUNY Oneonta's program portfolio reflects a practical, career-oriented approach that prepares students for stable employment in competitive fields. Business/Managerial Economics stands out as the highest aggregate return program, graduating 172 students annually who earn around $43,426 ten years after graduation. This program combines strong enrollment with solid earnings, making it a key economic driver for the institution and demonstrating the university's strength in preparing students for business careers.
Accounting Technology represents the university's highest-earning program, with 25 graduates achieving median earnings of $55,286. This specialized program shows how SUNY Oneonta can deliver exceptional outcomes in focused professional fields where employers value specific technical skills and certifications. The strong earnings in accounting reflect both the program's quality and the consistent demand for financial professionals throughout New York state.
While some programs like Biology show more modest early earnings around $30,650, they still provide solid preparation for graduate school or entry-level positions in healthcare and research fields. The university's largest program by enrollment graduates 186 students annually, though specific earnings data varies. Overall, SUNY Oneonta's program mix emphasizes practical skills and professional preparation that translate into stable career outcomes across different fields of study.
SUNY Oneonta graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that place the university well above average nationally. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $60,386, ranking in the 78th percentile among all public four-year institutions. This strong earnings performance reflects the university's focus on practical, career-oriented programs that prepare students for stable employment in competitive job markets.
The university's strongest financial returns come from business and accounting programs. Business/Managerial Economics, the institution's highest aggregate return major, graduates 172 students annually who earn around $43,426 ten years out. Accounting Technology graduates, though fewer in number at 25 per year, achieve some of the highest earnings at $55,286. These programs demonstrate SUNY Oneonta's ability to connect students with employers who value practical skills and professional preparation.
While some programs like Biology show more modest early earnings around $30,650, the overall institutional performance suggests that graduates across majors benefit from SUNY Oneonta's reputation and alumni network throughout New York state. The university's above-average earnings outcomes, combined with reasonable debt levels, create a favorable return on investment for most students who complete their degrees.
SUNY Oneonta offers predictable and reasonable affordability across different income levels, making it accessible to a broad range of New York families. Low-income students pay about $11,716 annually in net price, while middle-income families see costs around $17,775 per year. Even higher-income families face manageable net prices of approximately $24,749, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education accessible within the SUNY system.
Debt levels remain reasonable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $19,812 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $20,132. These amounts are manageable given the university's solid earnings outcomes, and the institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates can successfully repay their educational investments. The loan repayment trajectory shows that borrowers make steady progress reducing their balances, with many achieving full payoff within reasonable timeframes.
What makes SUNY Oneonta particularly sustainable financially is the combination of moderate borrowing and reliable earnings outcomes. With graduates earning a median of $60,386 ten years out, most can comfortably handle their debt obligations while building long-term financial stability. The university's position within the SUNY system also provides cost predictability that helps families plan effectively for the full degree program.
Suny Oneonta Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
