Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsPublic
Empire State University
Acceptance
81.1%
+1.1pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
6-yr Graduation
41%
+18.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Total enrollment
10,469
peer median 11,277
Avg net price
$11,676
-$10k vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Use this data
About
Empire State University is a public institution located in Saratoga Springs, New York, founded in 1971. It offers over 123 online programs, emphasizing individualized instruction, flexible learning, and support for non-traditional students, including a significant focus on adult learners and military-affiliated individuals.
Admissions & acceptance rate
First-time freshman admissions: how selective the college is, and how many admitted students choose to enroll.
Applied
1,308
1,308 candidates competed
Admitted
1,061
81.1% acceptance rate
Enrolled
270
25.4% yield
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Overall completion
41%+18.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Overall completion
41%+18.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
4-year graduation
28%
4-year graduation
28%
6-year graduation (bachelor’s)
36%
6-year graduation (bachelor’s)
36%
Full-time retention
66%
Full-time retention
66%
Pell equity
10.0pp gap
Pell recipients
45%33 of 74
Non-Pell (all)
35%14 of 40
Subsidized loan, no Pell
36%5 of 14
No Federal Aid
35%9 of 26
Pell recipients here graduate at a 10.0-point higher rate than non-Pell students, unusual and worth a closer look.
Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR) — Pell/SSL cohort, 2024 cohort.
Program outcomes
Federal Program Performance Data: how each program's graduate earnings and debt measure up under Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment.
Of 102 Title IV programs, 27 pass the federal Gainful Employment test and 0 fail. 75 have graduate earnings too small to publish, so they carry no pass/fail verdict.
Total programs
102
Passing
27
26.5% of portfolio
Failing (GE)
0
0.0% of portfolio
Fail rate
0.0%
-0.6pp vs 0.6% national
Pass / fail distribution
102programs
- Passing27 · 26.5%
- No Data75 · 73.5%
- Failing0 · 0.0%
Severity spectrum
Critical
0
Severe
0
Recoverable
0
At Risk
0
Watch
1
Safe
26
No data
75
Tiers band programs by how far graduate earnings sit above or below the benchmark, from Critical (below −15%) through Safe (above +25%). No data means earnings were privacy-suppressed.
Earnings premium gap
Graduate earnings versus the federal benchmark, worst gaps first.
Program
Typical
Benchmark
EP gap
Social Sciences Other
Master's Degree · Social Sciences
$71,200
$63,816
National Same-Field BA Median
+11.6%
+$7,384
Social Sciences Other
Master's Degree · Social Sciences
+11.6%
$71,200 vs $63,816
Visual and Performing Arts General
Bachelor Degree · Visual And Performing Arts
$43,473
$34,350
Same-State HS Median
+26.6%
+$9,123
Visual and Performing Arts General
Bachelor Degree · Visual And Performing Arts
+26.6%
$43,473 vs $34,350
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Master's Degree · Education
$60,265
$46,391
National Same-Field BA Median
+29.9%
+$13,874
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Master's Degree · Education
+29.9%
$60,265 vs $46,391
History
Bachelor Degree · History
$45,252
$34,350
Same-State HS Median
+31.7%
+$10,902
History
Bachelor Degree · History
+31.7%
$45,252 vs $34,350
Curriculum and Instruction
Master's Degree · Education
$62,453
$46,391
National Same-Field BA Median
+34.6%
+$16,062
Curriculum and Instruction
Master's Degree · Education
+34.6%
$62,453 vs $46,391
Psychology General
Associate Degree · Psychology
$48,810
$34,350
Same-State HS Median
+42.1%
+$14,460
Psychology General
Associate Degree · Psychology
+42.1%
$48,810 vs $34,350
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
$49,979
$34,350
Same-State HS Median
+45.5%
+$15,629
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
+45.5%
$49,979 vs $34,350
Education General
Bachelor Degree · Education
$50,954
$34,350
Same-State HS Median
+48.3%
+$16,604
Education General
Bachelor Degree · Education
+48.3%
$50,954 vs $34,350
Debt vs earnings
Median completer debt against median graduate earnings, highest burden first.
Program
Median debt
Median earnings
Debt burden
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
$21,914
$49,979
44%
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
$21,914 debt · $49,979 earn
Community Organization and Advocacy
Bachelor Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
$24,614
$56,825
43%
Community Organization and Advocacy
Bachelor Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
$24,614 debt · $56,825 earn
English Language and Literature/Letters Other
Bachelor Degree · English Language And Literature/Letters
$21,252
$54,265
39%
English Language and Literature/Letters Other
Bachelor Degree · English Language And Literature/Letters
$21,252 debt · $54,265 earn
Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor Degree · Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
$25,597
$66,111
39%
Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor Degree · Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
$25,597 debt · $66,111 earn
Business/Commerce General
Bachelor Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$24,943
$69,365
36%
Business/Commerce General
Bachelor Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$24,943 debt · $69,365 earn
Biological and Physical Sciences
Bachelor Degree · Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
$24,592
$71,066
35%
Biological and Physical Sciences
Bachelor Degree · Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
$24,592 debt · $71,066 earn
Public Administration and Social Service Professions Other
Bachelor Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
$23,375
$72,188
32%
Public Administration and Social Service Professions Other
Bachelor Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
$23,375 debt · $72,188 earn
Business/Commerce General
Associate Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$20,396
$63,915
32%
Business/Commerce General
Associate Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$20,396 debt · $63,915 earn
Accreditation status & history
Who accredits the institution, current standing, and any past actions.
AccreditedInstitutional accreditor
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Accredited since 1974Next review Jan 2028
Programmatic accreditations · 3
Action history · 12
- Sep 2025Renewal of AccreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education · Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels
- Sep 2025Renewal of AccreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education · Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels
- Apr 2024Grant Substantive Change: DegreeMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
- Jan 2022Grant Substantive Change: OtherMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
- Apr 2021Grant Substantive Change: OtherMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Aid exceeds costFamily pays
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Avg net price
$11,676
-$10,387vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs median $22,063
Federal loans
33.9%
In-state tuition
$7,648
Out-of-state
$17,558
Federal aid volume & trends
Pell grants and federal Direct Loan volume disbursed to students, and how they've trended.
In AY 2024–25, 5,145 students received $24.8M in Pell grants, alongside $43.0M in federal Direct Loans.
Pell recipients
5,145
AY 2024–25
Pell disbursed
$24.8M
$24,788,697 total
Direct Loans
$43.0M
6,965 loan awards
Pell recipients · 5-year trend
4k’20
4k’21
4k’22
4k’23
5k’24
Loan volume by type · AY 2024–25
Subsidized$12.2M
3,140 loan awards
Unsubsidized · UG$17.2M
3,019 loan awards
Unsubsidized · Grad$12.6M
749 loan awards
Parent PLUS$220K
19 loan awards
Grad PLUS$749K
38 loan awards
Loan awards count each loan type a student holds, not unique borrowers; one student may carry several (e.g. subsidized and unsubsidized), so the per-type figures are the reliable detail.
Student loan default rate
The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.
Of 2,494 borrowers who entered repayment, 41 (1.6%) defaulted within three years — below the 2.3% national rate.
Default rate
1.6%
-0.7pp vs 2.3% national
Borrowers in repayment
2,494
Defaulted
41
Measurement window
3 years
Federal CDR standard
Default rate vs national, by cohort
2016
6.5%-2.8
2017
7.0%-2.2
2018
4.3%-2.7
2019
1.6%-0.7
2020*
0.0%
This institutionNational rate
* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.
Academic programs at Empire State
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Distinct CIP programs84
UndergraduateOffered
GraduateOffered
Top program families by completions
3,120 total completions
01Business
80425.8%
01Business
80425.8%
02Liberal Arts
56017.9%
02Liberal Arts
56017.9%
03Public Admin
40212.9%
03Public Admin
40212.9%
04Education
36011.5%
04Education
36011.5%
05Psychology
34311.0%
05Psychology
34311.0%
06Health Professions
2387.6%
06Health Professions
2387.6%
07Physical Sciences
1555.0%
07Physical Sciences
1555.0%
08Multi/Interdisciplinary
1354.3%
08Multi/Interdisciplinary
1354.3%
09Family/Consumer Sci
732.3%
09Family/Consumer Sci
732.3%
10Visual/Performing Arts
501.6%
10Visual/Performing Arts
501.6%
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Fall total
10,469
12-mo unduplicated
17,601
Undergraduate
13,647
Graduate
3,954
Gender split
Men
31%5,399
Women
69%12,202
Race / ethnicity composition
White
45.9%
Hispanic
16.4%
Black
16.1%
Unknown
13.9%
Asian
3.5%
Two or more
3.1%
Non-resident
0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.2%
Campus safety & crime statistics
Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.
Criminal offenses · per 1,000 students
0.00
0 offenses · 9,545 students
3-year trend
0.002 yrs ago0.211 yr ago0.00Latest
Offenses · 3-yr
2
Last three years
VAWA · 3-yr
0
DV, dating, stalking
Hate crimes · 3-yr
0
Res-hall fires · 3-yr
0
Criminal offenses by type
No criminal offenses reported.
By location
0total
VAWA offenses
0
Domestic violence
0
Dating violence
0
Stalking
0 total under the Violence Against Women Act.
Hate crimes by bias
No hate crimes reported.
Arrests vs disciplinary referrals
CategoryArrestsReferrals
Weapons00
Drugs00
Liquor00
Residence-hall fires
No residence-hall fires reported.
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
Student-to-faculty
17.0:1
Instructional staff (full-time equivalent)
166
Empire State vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions Empire State selected for federal comparison reporting.
This institutionPeer median
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectEmpire State University | 41% | 81.1% | 10,469 | $11,676 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
| 6% | — | 11,277 | $15,172 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 47% | — | 50,715 | $9,597 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 10% | — | 28,004 | $31,266 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 27% | — | 3,511 | $14,895 | — | |
| 33% | — | 14,667 | $17,550 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 20% | — | 47,761 | $17,956 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 38% | 67.5% | 1,004 | $22,143 | — | |
| — | — | 12,941 | — | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 3% | — | 9,457 | $25,243 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 43% | 78.9% | 113,257 | $22,472 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 0% | — | 903 | $31,062 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 50% | 54.5% | 22,115 | $22,878 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| — | — | 9,489 | $24,198 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 24% | 96.5% | 16,178 | $21,634 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| — | — | 7,544 | — | Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs | |
| 17% | — | 5,646 | $8,370 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 20% | — | 63,012 | $22,063 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| — | 92.9% | 8,996 | $32,654 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 23% | — | 1,478 | $10,864 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 0% | — | 49,441 | $33,817 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| Peer group median | 23% | 80.0% | 11,277 | $22,063 |
Institutions like Empire State
Explore the federal data for institutions in Empire State's comparison group.
- Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsArizona
American InterContinental University System
Grad rate6%Admit rate—Enrollment11,277Net price$15,172View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsWest Virginia
American Public University System
Grad rate47%Admit rate—Enrollment50,715Net price$9,597View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalCalifornia
Ashford University
Grad rate10%Admit rate—Enrollment28,004Net price$31,266View data - Arizona
Aspen University
Grad rate27%Admit rate—Enrollment3,511Net price$14,895View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsNebraska
Bellevue University
Grad rate33%Admit rate—Enrollment14,667Net price$17,550View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalMinnesota
Capella University
Grad rate20%Admit rate—Enrollment47,761Net price$17,956View data - Michigan
Cleary University
Grad rate38%Admit rate67.5%Enrollment1,004Net price$22,143View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsNew York
Excelsior University
Grad rate—Admit rate—Enrollment12,941Net price—View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsOhio
Franklin University
Grad rate3%Admit rate—Enrollment9,457Net price$25,243View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalArizona
Grand Canyon University
Grad rate43%Admit rate78.9%Enrollment113,257Net price$22,472View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalSouth Dakota
National American University-Rapid City
Grad rate0%Admit rate—Enrollment903Net price$31,062View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsCalifornia
National University
Grad rate50%Admit rate54.5%Enrollment22,115Net price$22,878View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalCalifornia
Northcentral University
Grad rate—Admit rate—Enrollment9,489Net price$24,198View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsConnecticut
Post University
Grad rate24%Admit rate96.5%Enrollment16,178Net price$21,634View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium ProgramsNew Jersey
Thomas Edison State University
Grad rate—Admit rate—Enrollment7,544Net price—View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsArkansas
University of Arkansas Grantham
Grad rate17%Admit rate—Enrollment5,646Net price$8,370View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMaryland
University of Maryland Global Campus
Grad rate20%Admit rate—Enrollment63,012Net price$22,063View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalCalifornia
University of Massachusetts Global
Grad rate—Admit rate92.9%Enrollment8,996Net price$32,654View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsNew Hampshire
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online
Grad rate23%Admit rate—Enrollment1,478Net price$10,864View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalMinnesota
Walden University
Grad rate0%Admit rate—Enrollment49,441Net price$33,817View data
Empire State Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
Team
2 members
- Eileen McDonnellExecutive Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Planning
- Mitchell S. Nesler, Ph.D.Vice President for Decision Support
Reports & documents (3)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- DashboardDashboardsunyempire.edu
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- Strategic planEmpire State University Strategic Plan2025The Empire State University Strategic Plan aims to enhance student success through supportive academic and social experiences, prioritize academic and inclusive excellence by embracing diversity, and advance organizational effectiveness by fostering an inclusive climate and continuous improvement. The plan also focuses on raising the university's public profile by promoting its distinctive, flexible, and affordable educational offerings, and engaging with various stakeholders to expand awareness and support for its mission. Together, these strategic priorities seek to position the university as a national leader in high-quality, accessible education.sunyempire.edu
Frequently asked questions about Empire State University
Quick answers to the questions most often asked about Empire State.
What is the acceptance rate at Empire State University?
Empire State University's acceptance rate is 81.1% (1,061 admitted from 1,308 applicants), based on the latest IPEDS.
What is the graduation rate at Empire State University?
Empire State University reports a 6-year graduation rate of 41% per the latest IPEDS.
How many students attend Empire State University?
Empire State University reports a total enrollment of 10,469 students per the latest IPEDS.
What is the average net price at Empire State University?
The average net price at Empire State University is $11,676 per the latest College Scorecard. Net price is the published cost of attendance minus grant aid.
What is the yield rate at Empire State University?
Empire State University's yield rate is 25.4%, the share of admitted students who enrolled, per the latest IPEDS.
Where is Empire State University located?
Empire State University is located in Saratoga Springs, New York 12866-4391.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
IPEDS2025 provisional data (Fall 2025–26 release, July 28, 2026)
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.
DAPIP accreditationContinuously refreshed
Accreditation status for institutions and programs, reported by recognized accrediting agencies.
Federal Pell Grant volumeAY 2025–26 (through Q3), through March 31, 2026
Pell Grant recipient counts, award amounts, and disbursements by institution and award year.
Federal student loan volumeAY 2025–26 (through Q3), through March 31, 2026
Federal Direct Loan recipient counts and disbursement volume by institution and award year.
Cohort Default RatesFY 2022 official rates
Institution-level federal student loan default rates, measuring borrowers who default within three years of entering repayment.
Equity in Athletics (EADA)Academic year 2024–25
Athletics participation, coaching, revenues, and expenses by sport and gender for Title IV institutions.
Campus Safety & SecurityData through reporting year 2024
Criminal offenses, arrests, disciplinary actions, VAWA offenses, and fire statistics reported by campus under the Clery Act.
Last reviewed July 2026All data sources & release dates →
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