
New Paltz, NYpublicwww.newpaltz.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 45%–62% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
SUNY New Paltz is a public liberal arts university nestled in the Hudson Valley, known for its strong arts programs, competitive admissions, and vibrant campus life. With a 62% acceptance rate and a focus on undergraduate research, it attracts students who want a mid-sized college experience with the affordability of the SUNY system.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
SUNY New Paltz is somewhat selective, with an acceptance rate of 61.6% (fall 2023). The university receives over 16,000 applications for a first-year class of around 1,150 students. Middle 50% SAT scores range from 1190–1330, and ACT scores from 25–29. The regular application deadline is April 1, though early action is encouraged for competitive programs like fine arts and engineering. Notably, the school considers eligible non-citizens, including DACA and undocumented students who completed high school in the U.S.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
New Paltz offers nearly 100 majors, with standout programs in fine arts (ceramics, graphic design, studio arts), education, and STEM. Key academic features include:
Popular majors include Elementary Education (102 graduates in 2024), English (75), and Psychology. The university also boasts 50+ graduate programs, with notable offerings in business, music therapy, and computer science. Small class sizes (62% have fewer than 20 students) foster close faculty interaction.
The campus buzzes with creative energy, fueled by its proximity to the artsy town of New Paltz and the Shawangunk Mountains. Highlights:
New Paltz graduates fare well, with:
Education majors dominate job placements, while arts graduates often cluster in NYC creative fields.
As a SUNY school, New Paltz is relatively affordable:
While tuition has risen, it remains below private colleges in the region, making it a value pick for in-state students.
New Paltz carves a niche as the SUNY system's arts powerhouse, with ceramics, graphic design, and theater programs rivaling pricier conservatories. Its Hudson Valley location—equal parts crunchy and cultured—attracts outdoorsy creatives. Unlike larger SUNYs, it retains a liberal arts college vibe (small classes, undergrad research) while offering public-school affordability. The catch? Rising selectivity, especially for studio arts spots, means applicants should showcase both academic chops and creative spark.