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SUNY Oneonta vs Skidmore College: which has better ROI?

Public, Oneonta NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Saratoga Springs NY

The verdict

Skidmore College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $129,188 in 6.2 years versus 6.4 years at SUNY Oneonta, on median earnings of $69,363 vs $60,386 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSUNY OneontaSkidmore College
Net price / yr$19,158$32,297
Total net cost$76,632$129,188
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,386$69,363
Median debt$19,812$19,500
Payback6.4 yrs6.2 yrs
20-year net return$163,888$290,872

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

Which is cheaper, SUNY Oneonta or Skidmore College?

SUNY Oneonta, at $19,158 a year after aid versus $32,297 — a gap of $13,139 a year, or $52,556 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 Oneonta or Skidmore College graduates earn more?

Skidmore College graduates report a median $69,363 ten years after entry, $8,977 more than the $60,386 at SUNY Oneonta. 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 Oneonta or Skidmore College?

Skidmore College: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $19,812 at SUNY Oneonta, a difference of $312. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

83% of students finish at Skidmore College, against 69% at SUNY Oneonta. 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 Oneonta vs Skidmore College: frequently asked questions

Is SUNY Oneonta or Skidmore College a better value?
Skidmore College. It clears its $129,188 net cost in about 6.2 years versus 6.4 years at SUNY Oneonta, on median earnings of $69,363 vs $60,386 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, SUNY Oneonta or Skidmore College?
SUNY Oneonta: $19,158/yr net price after aid versus $32,297/yr at Skidmore College — a difference of $13,139 a year, or about $52,556 over four years.
Do SUNY Oneonta or Skidmore College graduates earn more?
Skidmore College graduates earn a median $69,363 ten years after entry, versus $60,386 at SUNY Oneonta — a $8,977 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.