SUNY College at Geneseo vs Barnard College: which has better ROI?
Barnard College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $115,200 in 3.6 years versus 3.8 years at SUNY College at Geneseo, on median earnings of $80,516 vs $67,316 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | SUNY College at Geneseo | Barnard College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,211 | $28,800 |
| Total net cost | $72,844 | $115,200 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,316 | $80,516 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $18,000 |
| Payback | 3.8 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $306,276 | $527,920 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, SUNY College at Geneseo or Barnard College?
SUNY College at Geneseo, at $18,211 a year after aid versus $28,800 — a gap of $10,589 a year, or $42,356 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 College at Geneseo or Barnard College graduates earn more?
Barnard College graduates report a median $80,516 ten years after entry, $13,200 more than the $67,316 at SUNY College at Geneseo. 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 College at Geneseo or Barnard College?
Barnard College: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $19,500 at SUNY College at Geneseo, a difference of $1,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
93% of students finish at Barnard College, against 71% at SUNY College at Geneseo. 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.