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State University of New York at New Paltz vs St. Francis College: which has better ROI?

Public, New Paltz NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Brooklyn NY

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

The verdict

St. Francis College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,516 in 7.4 years versus 7.7 years at State University of New York at New Paltz, on median earnings of $58,099 vs $58,073 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureState University of New York at New PaltzSt. Francis College
Net price / yr$18,809$18,129
Total net cost$75,236$72,516
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,073$58,099
Median debt$18,750$23,250
Payback7.7 yrs7.4 yrs
20-year net return$119,024$122,264

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

Which is cheaper, State University of New York at New Paltz or St. Francis College?

St. Francis College, at $18,129 a year after aid versus $18,809 — a gap of $680 a year, or $2,720 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do State University of New York at New Paltz or St. Francis College graduates earn more?

St. Francis College graduates report a median $58,099 ten years after entry, $26 more than the $58,073 at State University of New York at New Paltz. 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.

Which leaves students with less debt, State University of New York at New Paltz or St. Francis College?

State University of New York at New Paltz: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $23,250 at St. Francis College, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at State University of New York at New Paltz, against 55% at St. Francis College. 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.

State University of New York at New Paltz vs St. Francis College: frequently asked questions

Is State University of New York at New Paltz or St. Francis College a better value?
St. Francis College. It clears its $72,516 net cost in about 7.4 years versus 7.7 years at State University of New York at New Paltz, on median earnings of $58,099 vs $58,073 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, State University of New York at New Paltz or St. Francis College?
St. Francis College: $18,129/yr net price after aid versus $18,809/yr at State University of New York at New Paltz — a difference of $680 a year, or about $2,720 over four years.
Do State University of New York at New Paltz or St. Francis College graduates earn more?
St. Francis College graduates earn a median $58,099 ten years after entry, versus $58,073 at State University of New York at New Paltz — a $26 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.