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Head-to-head comparison

Empire State University vs State University of New York at New Paltz: which has better ROI?

Public, Saratoga Springs NY · vs · Public, New Paltz NY

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Saratoga Springs, NY

Empire State University

Net price / year
$11,676
Earnings, 10 years
$54,080
Payback
8.2 yrs

Option B New Paltz, NY

State University of New York at New Paltz

Net price / year
$18,809
Earnings, 10 years
$58,073
Payback
7.7 yrs
The verdict

State University of New York at New Paltz has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,236 in 7.7 years versus 8.2 years at Empire State University, on median earnings of $58,073 vs $54,080 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEmpire State UniversityState University of New York at New Paltz
Net price / yr$11,676$18,809
Total net cost$46,704$75,236
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,080$58,073
Median debt$18,730$18,750
Payback8.2 yrs7.7 yrs
20-year net return$67,696$119,024

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Empire State University or State University of New York at New Paltz?

Empire State University, at $11,676 a year after aid versus $18,809 — a gap of $7,133 a year, or $28,532 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Empire State University or State University of New York at New Paltz graduates earn more?

State University of New York at New Paltz graduates report a median $58,073 ten years after entry, $3,993 more than the $54,080 at Empire State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Empire State University or State University of New York at New Paltz?

Empire State University: its completers carry a median $18,730 in federal loans versus $18,750 at State University of New York at New Paltz, a difference of $20. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at State University of New York at New Paltz, against 41% at Empire State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Empire State University vs State University of New York at New Paltz: frequently asked questions

Is Empire State University or State University of New York at New Paltz a better value?
State University of New York at New Paltz. It clears its $75,236 net cost in about 7.7 years versus 8.2 years at Empire State University, on median earnings of $58,073 vs $54,080 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Empire State University or State University of New York at New Paltz?
Empire State University: $11,676/yr net price after aid versus $18,809/yr at State University of New York at New Paltz — a difference of $7,133 a year, or about $28,532 over four years.
Do Empire State University or State University of New York at New Paltz graduates earn more?
State University of New York at New Paltz graduates earn a median $58,073 ten years after entry, versus $54,080 at Empire State University — a $3,993 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.