SUNY at Fredonia vs Hartwick College: which has better ROI?
Hartwick College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $125,280 in 9.8 years versus 10.8 years at SUNY at Fredonia, on median earnings of $61,107 vs $54,247 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | SUNY at Fredonia | Hartwick College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,897 | $31,320 |
| Total net cost | $63,588 | $125,280 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,247 | $61,107 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 10.8 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $54,152 | $129,660 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, SUNY at Fredonia or Hartwick College?
SUNY at Fredonia, at $15,897 a year after aid versus $31,320 — a gap of $15,423 a year, or $61,692 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do SUNY at Fredonia or Hartwick College graduates earn more?
Hartwick College graduates report a median $61,107 ten years after entry, $6,860 more than the $54,247 at SUNY at Fredonia. 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, SUNY at Fredonia or Hartwick College?
SUNY at Fredonia: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Hartwick College, a difference of $2,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at Hartwick College, against 50% at SUNY at Fredonia. 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.