University at Albany vs SUNY Polytechnic Institute: 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 3.5 years at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, on median earnings of $67,979 vs $64,355 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University at Albany | SUNY Polytechnic Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,167 | $14,164 |
| Total net cost | $68,668 | $56,656 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,979 | $64,355 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $17,250 |
| Payback | 3.5 yrs | 3.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $323,712 | $263,244 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University at Albany or SUNY Polytechnic Institute?
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, at $14,164 a year after aid versus $17,167 — a gap of $3,003 a year, or $12,012 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 SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
University at Albany graduates report a median $67,979 ten years after entry, $3,624 more than the $64,355 at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. 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 SUNY Polytechnic Institute?
SUNY Polytechnic Institute: its completers carry a median $17,250 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University at Albany, a difference of $2,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
61% of students finish at University at Albany, against 55% at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. 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.