What does it cost?

Paying for Your College Education

A college education is an investment, but it’s an investment that can pay big dividends. A typical college graduate earns roughly $900,000 more than a typical high-school graduate over their working life. And 86.8% of SUNY Empire alumni say their degree increased their earning potential.

As part of the State University of New York, SUNY Empire is a smart choice when it comes to making the most of your investment. In addition to affordable SUNY tuition, we offer generous transfer credit options and a wide range of financial aid options.

If you have the desire to earn your degree, SUNY Empire can help make it happen.

Tuition Rates

Associate and Bachelor's Courses

$295
per credit for New York state residents

$353
per credit for online out-of-state residents

$353
per credit ($708 per credit less $355*) for out-of-state residents

Graduate (Non-MBA) Courses

$471
per credit for New York state residents

$565
per credit for online out-of-state residents

$565
per credit ($963 per credit less $398*) for out-of-state residents

Graduate (MBA) Courses

$625
per credit for New York state residents

$750
per credit for online out-of-state residents

$750
per credit ($1016 per credit less $266*) for out-of-state residents

* All nonresident students taking guided independent studies, classroom-based courses or blended studies are automatically eligible for an Empire State College nonresident tuition grant to offset their education's costs.

Table of Total Tuition and Fee Costs Per Credit for NYS Resident Undergraduates

Table of Total Tuition and Fee Costs Per Credit for Online Out-of-State Undergraduates

Table of Total Tuition and Fee Costs Per Credit for Out-of-State Undergraduates

What Financial Aid is available at SUNY Empire?

65% of our undergraduate students and 45% of our graduate students receive some type of financial aid each year.

Three types of financial aid are available. To see if you qualify, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

1. Grants and Scholarships

Grant and scholarship money does not need to be repaid. In addition to federal and state grants and scholarships, SUNY Empire offers dozens of institutional scholarships. ESCFAST has a complete list.

2. Loans

You may be eligible to receive subsidized (you pay the interest) and/or unsubsidized loans (the government pays some of the interest) based on your financial need. Loans must be repaid, but most federal student loans come with favorable terms.

3. Federal Work Study

The federal work study program provides part-time jobs to help undergraduate and graduate students with financial need pay education expenses..

Payment Plan

If financial aid doesn’t fully cover your educational expenses, you may be able to take advantage of our time payment plan, which allows you to pay your balance in three convenient installments.

Credit for What You Already Know

SUNY Empire’s individualized Prior Learning Assessment (iPLA) helps you turn college-level learning you already have (from professional licensures and standardized exams to military training and continuing education) and determine whether it meets the criteria for college credit, reducing cost and time to degree. More than half of students who complete an associate or a bachelor’s degree at SUNY Empire receive PLA credits.

On average, students who receive PLA credits and complete an associate degree cut their time to degree by 2-3 terms and save approximately $7,000.
On average, students who receive PLA credits and complete a bachelor’s degree cut their time to degree by 3-4 terms and save approximately $10,000.

Generous Transfer Credit

Transfer your previously earned college credits (pending approval based on relevance to your degree program, grade earned and other factors). Undergraduate students may be able to transfer up to 79 credits into a degree program; graduate students may be able to transfer up to 9 credits into master’s programs and up to 3 credits into advanced certificate programs.

Military Discounts

SUNY Empire offers several financial benefits for active-duty military service members, reservists and National Guard members, veterans, spouses and dependents of active-duty military service members. Learn more about military discounts.

Scholarships

SUNY Empire will distribute more than $700,000 in scholarships to students for the 2019-20 academic year, thanks to generous alumni, employees, foundations and friends of the college. You may be eligible. View the full listing.

Partnerships

We partner with community colleges, businesses and organizations throughout New York to provide educational benefits to their employees. Yours might be one of them and could save you time and money. Speak with your HR office or learn more about partnerships.