Head-to-head comparison
University at Albany vs Molloy University: which has better ROI?
Option A Albany, NY
University at Albany
- Net price / year
- $17,167
- Earnings, 10 years
- $67,979
- Payback
- 3.5 yrs
Option B Rockville Centre, NY
Molloy University
- Net price / year
- $24,347
- Earnings, 10 years
- $77,789
- Payback
- 3.3 yrs
Molloy University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,388 in 3.3 years versus 3.5 years at University at Albany, on median earnings of $77,789 vs $67,979 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University at Albany | Molloy University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,167 | $24,347 |
| Total net cost | $68,668 | $97,388 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,979 | $77,789 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 3.5 yrs | 3.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $323,712 | $491,192 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University at Albany or Molloy University?
University at Albany, at $17,167 a year after aid versus $24,347 — a gap of $7,180 a year, or $28,720 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 University at Albany or Molloy University graduates earn more?
Molloy University graduates report a median $77,789 ten years after entry, $9,810 more than the $67,979 at University at Albany. 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, University at Albany or Molloy University?
University at Albany: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Molloy University, a difference of $7,500. 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?
70% of students finish at Molloy University, against 61% at University at Albany. 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.