Empire State University
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and in-state New York residents. graduation rate is below 40%; fewer than half of freshmen return for sophomore year. a public school with 7,046 students.
About This School
Empire State University is a public institution located in Saratoga Springs, New York with approximately 7,046 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $11,147 per year. The graduation rate is 29%, and the typical graduate earns $46,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Empire State University is a public university headquartered in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Empire State University is a multi-site institution offering associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral degrees, and distance degrees worldwide through the Center for Distance Learning. The university has approximately 12,000 undergraduate students and has an acceptance rate of 51%. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $11,147/year net price and a median debt of only $11,000 at graduation, this school is genuinely affordable, and its flexible, multi-site structure makes it a practical choice for working adults or non-traditional students who need distance learning options. However, the 29% graduation rate and 46% freshman retention rate are serious red flags — most students who start here don't finish, which is worth understanding before enrolling. Worth considering if you're a self-directed, independent learner who needs flexibility and low cost, but if you thrive with structure and in-person community, look carefully at whether this environment will keep you on track.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,046 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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