University at Albany vs Barnard College: which has better ROI?
University at Albany has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $68,668 in 3.5 years versus 3.6 years at Barnard College, on median earnings of $67,979 vs $80,516 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University at Albany | Barnard College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,167 | $28,800 |
| Total net cost | $68,668 | $115,200 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,979 | $80,516 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $18,000 |
| Payback | 3.5 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $323,712 | $527,920 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University at Albany or Barnard College?
University at Albany, at $17,167 a year after aid versus $28,800 — a gap of $11,633 a year, or $46,532 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University at Albany or Barnard College graduates earn more?
Barnard College graduates report a median $80,516 ten years after entry, $12,537 more than the $67,979 at University at 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, University at Albany or Barnard College?
Barnard College: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University at Albany, 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 61% at University at 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.