University at Albany — ROI, Cost & Payback
University at Albany charges a net price of $17,167/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $68,668. Graduates earn a median $67,979 ten years after entry, $19,619/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.5 years — a 20-year net return of $323,712, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University at Albany's 3.5-year payback ranks #234 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 82% of them, and #30 of 203 in New York.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,167/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $68,668 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $67,979 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $19,619/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $323,712 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University at Albany's own numbers. Net price $17,167 × 4 years = $68,668 total. Median earnings $67,979 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $19,619 a year of premium. $68,668 ÷ $19,619 = 3.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $323,712. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University at Albany students graduate with?
A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 29% of the $67,979 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University at Albany students graduate?
61% finish their degree — 39% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $68,668 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $112,570 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University at Albany expensive compared with other New York colleges?
Its $17,167 net price runs $1,746 below the $18,913 median across the 203 New York colleges we profile, and $6,984 less across the full degree.