University At Albany combines accessible admissions with strong economic mobility outcomes. The university enrolls 42.1% Pell-eligible students while producing graduates who earn $9,039 beyond expectations, demonstrating effectiveness in converting educational opportunity into career advancement with manageable debt levels.
Strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment and debt levels
Above-average cost management and financial aid effectiveness
Excellent enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to peer institutions
Top-tier ability to support economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisMobility Engine: strong access, solid earnings
University At Albany delivers strong return on investment through controlled debt levels combined with solid earnings growth. Graduates earn a median of $67,979 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 84th percentile nationally and $7,436 above the peer median of $60,543.
The institution generates $9,039 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 83.8th percentile for this value-added measure. Median student debt remains manageable at $19,500, matching peer institutions while supporting stronger earnings outcomes.
Students seeking strong economic mobility outcomes at an accessible public university with solid post-graduation earnings. Well-suited for first-generation students and those from lower-income backgrounds who want comprehensive programs with manageable debt levels in New York's capital region.
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 University At Albany hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-at-albany/analysis.
University At Albany ranks #104 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, placing it in the 93.7th percentile with top-tier performance. Located in Albany, New York, this large public research university combines moderately selective admissions with excellent access and mobility outcomes.
The university admits 69.9% of applicants while enrolling 42.1% Pell-eligible students and 30.1% first-generation students, reflecting strong commitment to educational opportunity. University At Albany demonstrates excellent performance in three of four institutional pillars, with top-tier access at the 92.0th percentile and top-tier mobility at the 94.2nd percentile.
As a Mobility Engine institution, University At Albany successfully combines high enrollment of low-income students with strong post-graduation outcomes, producing graduates who earn $9,039 beyond expectations compared to similar students at other institutions.
University At Albany admits 69.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places the university in the moderately selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates University At Albany is somewhat more selective than typical public research universities, accepting about 8 percentage points fewer applicants than similar institutions. This selectivity level means qualified students with solid academic credentials have good prospects for admission, though the university maintains academic standards above open-access institutions.
Students should expect competition from other qualified applicants, particularly for popular programs like Business Administration and Psychology, which graduate large cohorts annually. For most students with strong high school preparation, University At Albany represents a realistic option rather than a high-reach institution.
Prospective students should focus on demonstrating academic readiness and genuine interest in the university's programs rather than worrying about extremely competitive admission scenarios. The moderate selectivity creates a balanced student body while maintaining accessibility for students from diverse academic and economic backgrounds.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University At Albany's published cost of attendance totals $28,490 annually, including $10,408 in-state tuition, $16,182 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $28,998, bringing their total cost to $46,180.
However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with net price averaging $18,486 across all income levels. Financial aid reduces costs by an average of $10,004, representing meaningful savings from the sticker price.
Compared to peer institutions with a median net price of $15,590, University At Albany costs $2,896 more annually, though this premium accompanies stronger earnings outcomes that justify the additional investment. Net prices vary substantially by family income, ranging from $13,066 for families earning under $30,000 to $25,009 for those earning over $110,000.
The $11,943 spread between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates progressive pricing that concentrates aid on students with greatest financial need. For New York residents, University At Albany represents solid value relative to private alternatives, though families should compare costs carefully with other SUNY institutions and evaluate whether the earnings premium justifies any additional expense.
University At Albany graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over their early careers. Median earnings rise from $51,380 six years after enrollment to $60,335 at eight years and $67,979 at ten years, representing 32.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts of 1,888 graduates at six years, 2,160 at eight years, and 2,389 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Earnings span from $44,635 at the 25th percentile to $96,119 at the 75th percentile, reflecting a 2.2:1 ratio that indicates meaningful variation based on program choice and career trajectory.
University At Albany generates $9,039 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting student success. Low-income graduates earn $51,900, ranking among the top 25% nationally for this critical mobility metric.
Approximately 21.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
138 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
129 graduates
Behavioral Aspects of Health.
40 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
304 graduates
Applied Economics.
288 graduates
University At Albany offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for analysis, reflecting comprehensive program diversity. Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping ranks #13 nationally and #3 in New York, graduating 138 students with median earnings of $80,462 and an exceptional value score of 95.6.
Business Administration and Management ranks #28 nationally and #2 in New York, producing 304 graduates with median earnings of $65,362. Psychology ranks #23 nationally and #3 in New York, graduating 318 students with median earnings of $49,362.
Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management represents a distinctive strength, ranking #4 nationally and #1 in New York with 215 graduates. Applied/Public Sociology ranks #35 nationally, graduating 210 students with strong value scores.
The university's program portfolio spans business, social sciences, STEM fields, and specialized areas, supporting diverse career pathways for its graduates.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Higher acceptance rate (16.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 87 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CT | 86% | $73,997 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Higher acceptance rate (17.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 88 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CT | 87% | $73,997 | Compare |
Mount Saint Mary College Higher acceptance rate (12.6 percentage points higher) and located 82 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 82% | $67,705 | Compare |
University Of Utah Higher acceptance rate (17.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | UT | 87% | $67,170 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut-Avery Point Higher acceptance rate (16.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CT | 87% | $73,997 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Similar quality tier (#103 ranked) | PR | 52% | $48,992 | #103 | Compare |
University Of Utah Similar quality tier (#107 ranked) | UT | 87% | $67,170 | #107 | Compare |
University Of California-Merced Similar quality tier (#100 ranked) | CA | 39% | $64,368 | #100 | Compare |
University Of Nevada-Las Vegas Similar quality tier (#99 ranked) | NV | 96% | $55,037 | #99 | Compare |
California State University-Chico Similar quality tier (#108 ranked) | CA | 94% | $64,172 | #108 | Compare |