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SUNY College at Geneseo vs Maria College of Albany: which has better ROI?

Public, Geneseo NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Albany NY

The verdict

Maria College of Albany has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $26,164 in 3.7 years versus 3.8 years at SUNY College at Geneseo, on median earnings of $55,458 vs $67,316 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSUNY College at GeneseoMaria College of Albany
Net price / yr$18,211$13,082
Total net cost$72,844$26,164
Median earnings, 10 yrs$67,316$55,458
Median debt$19,500$20,528
Payback3.8 yrs3.7 yrs
20-year net return$306,276$115,796

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

Which is cheaper, SUNY College at Geneseo or Maria College of Albany?

Maria College of Albany, at $13,082 a year after aid versus $18,211 — a gap of $5,129 a year, or $46,680 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 Maria College of Albany graduates earn more?

SUNY College at Geneseo graduates report a median $67,316 ten years after entry, $11,858 more than the $55,458 at Maria College of 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.

Which leaves students with less debt, SUNY College at Geneseo or Maria College of Albany?

SUNY College at Geneseo: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $20,528 at Maria College of Albany, a difference of $1,028. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at SUNY College at Geneseo, against 30% at Maria College of 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.

SUNY College at Geneseo vs Maria College of Albany: frequently asked questions

Is SUNY College at Geneseo or Maria College of Albany a better value?
Maria College of Albany. It clears its $26,164 net cost in about 3.7 years versus 3.8 years at SUNY College at Geneseo, on median earnings of $55,458 vs $67,316 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, SUNY College at Geneseo or Maria College of Albany?
Maria College of Albany: $13,082/yr net price after aid versus $18,211/yr at SUNY College at Geneseo — a difference of $5,129 a year, or about $46,680 over four years.
Do SUNY College at Geneseo or Maria College of Albany graduates earn more?
SUNY College at Geneseo graduates earn a median $67,316 ten years after entry, versus $55,458 at Maria College of Albany — a $11,858 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.