Admit rate has ranged 58%–75% 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 Plattsburgh is a public liberal arts college where the Adirondacks meet Lake Champlain, offering a pragmatic, experiential education with a surprisingly global outlook. With a 78% acceptance rate and test-optional admissions, it attracts students drawn to its strong business and health programs, active campus life, and post-grad earnings that outpace many regional peers.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
3,769
In-state tuition
$9,035
Out-of-state tuition
$18,945
Campus Housing
42% of students
Acceptance Rate
78.4%
Most Popular Majors
Business, Health Professions
Student-Faculty Ratio
16:1
Six-Year Graduation Rate
67%
Median Earnings (10-Years)
$58,319
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,403
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.3×
Median debt at graduation
$21,196
Graduation rate
59%
First-year retention
73%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
63%
Pell (lower-income) share
57%
First-generation share
31%
Endowment / student
$8,060
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$71,095
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions$64,493
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other$59,350
Management Information Systems and Services$55,512
Finance and Financial Management Services$50,856
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
3
Per 1,000 students
0.80
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.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
91
Summer high
78°F
Winter low
16°F
Annual rain
42.1"
Annual snow
48.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at State University of New York at Plattsburgh?
State University of New York at Plattsburgh's acceptance rate is approximately 78% (Plattsburgh, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for State University of New York at Plattsburgh?
Admitted students at State University of New York at Plattsburgh typically score 1080–1250 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does State University of New York at Plattsburgh cost?
At State University of New York at Plattsburgh, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,156 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend State University of New York at Plattsburgh?
State University of New York at Plattsburgh enrolls approximately 3,769 undergraduate students.
Where is State University of New York at Plattsburgh located?
State University of New York at Plattsburgh is located in Plattsburgh, NY.
Admissions
SUNY Plattsburgh's admissions process leans accessible, with a 78.4% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (6,924 admits from 8,830 applicants in 2024). The school is firmly Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight.—less than 1% of first-year students submitted SAT scores recently. Middle 50% ranges for those who do submit are 1040–1260 (SAT) and 21–30 (ACT). GPA matters more: 12% of enrollees had a 3.75+ GPA, while 18% fell in the 3.50–3.74 range. Described as 'moderately difficult' in selectivity, it’s a realistic target for B+ students seeking a SUNY education with hands-on learning.
With 70+ programs spanning business, health professions, and liberal arts, SUNY Plattsburgh emphasizes 'learning by doing.' Every major incorporates internships, fieldwork, or hands-on projects—a selling point for career-focused students. Business and health programs dominate popularity, but the school retains a liberal arts core, requiring exploration across disciplines. Small classes (the student-faculty ratio is 16:1) and a 65% six-year graduation rate suggest solid support for a public institution. Graduate programs exist but undergrads rule the 256-acre campus.
Compare State University of New York at Plattsburgh
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.
Marketing
$42,363
International Business$41,565
Computer and Information Sciences, General$41,342
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.
Life here balances outdoor adventure (kayaking on Lake Champlain, hiking the Adirondacks) with an activist streak—Reddit threads and Niche reviews highlight a student body engaged in social justice. Only 42% live on campus, but clubs thrive, from cultural groups like the Black Student Union to Greek life. The vibe is 'active but not raucous,' with a focus on community-building. Division III athletics (SUNYAC conference) draw crowds, but the real glue is the tight-knit feel of a 5,400-student campus where professors know your name.
Alumni outcomes defy the modest sticker price: the Class of 2025 reported an average full-time salary of $55,630, while College Scorecard notes median earnings of $58,319 at the 10-year mark—beating many regional peers. The six-year graduation rate hovers at 67%, and 44% finish in four years. Notably, graduates out-earn the national median by ~10% within six years ($48,089 vs. $43,000), per U.S. News. For a school where 66% receive aid, that ROI explains why Plattsburgh draws First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students and career switchers alike.
At $17,625 Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. (after aid) for in-state students, Plattsburgh undercuts many Northeastern publics. The average aid package covers significant ground, with $4.8 million in institutional scholarships awarded annually. Out-of-state net price jumps to ~$27,000—still a bargain compared to private colleges. Two-thirds of students receive aid, and the financial aid office gets high marks for guiding families through SUNY’s bureaucracy. The kicker? A 1.55-year 'payback period' (per EdSmart), meaning grads recoup costs fast with those above-average salaries.
Plattsburgh punches above its weight by merging SUNY affordability with the experiential focus of a private college. Its location—a stone’s throw from Vermont and Quebec—lends an unexpectedly international flavor (study abroad participation is high). The combo of strong earnings, hands-on learning, and a campus that’s 'just the right size' makes it a smart choice for students who want career prep without cutthroat competition. It’s the kind of school where business majors intern at local startups and psychology students run mental health workshops—no ivory tower here.
State University of New York at Plattsburgh logo · sourceState University of New York, Plattsburgh · sourceState University of New York, Plattsburgh · sourceSUNY--Plattsburgh - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · source
