Admit rate has ranged 61%–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 Geneseo is New York's public honors college—a rare breed that combines the rigor of a liberal arts education with the affordability of the state system. With a 66% acceptance rate and SAT scores averaging 1290, it's selective but accessible, offering small classes, strong outcomes (64% graduate in four years), and a median early-career salary of $51,097. The vibe is tight-knit and intellectually serious, with a campus culture that prizes both academic achievement and quirky traditions.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
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
3,869
In-state tuition
$8,999
Out-of-state tuition
$19,569
Acceptance Rate
66%
4-Year Grad Rate
64%
Most Popular Major
Business Administration
Student-Faculty Ratio
Not provided in sources
Median Salary (6 Years)
$51,097
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$67,316
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.7×
Median debt at graduation
$19,500
Graduation rate
71%
First-year retention
87%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
78%
Pell (lower-income) share
44%
First-generation share
19%
Endowment / student
$10,769
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Accounting and Related Services$56,114
Economics$42,682
Business Administration, Management and Operations$41,565
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$39,369
Mathematics$37,568
Chemistry$36,141
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
8
Per 1,000 students
2.07
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
95
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
23°F
Annual rain
40.7"
Annual snow
40.1"
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.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.7%
Bottom → top quintile
44%
From bottom quintile
4%
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at SUNY College at Geneseo?
SUNY College at Geneseo's acceptance rate is approximately 66% (Geneseo, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for SUNY College at Geneseo?
Admitted students at SUNY College at Geneseo typically score 1190–1340 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does SUNY College at Geneseo cost?
At SUNY College at Geneseo, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,211 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend SUNY College at Geneseo?
SUNY College at Geneseo enrolls approximately 3,869 undergraduate students.
Where is SUNY College at Geneseo located?
SUNY College at Geneseo is located in Geneseo, NY.
Admissions
Geneseo's admissions process is moderately selective, with a 66% acceptance rate (rising to 84.9% for early applicants). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1210–1340 on the SAT or 26–31 on the ACT, with an average GPA of 3.75+. Notably, test scores are optional as of recent cycles. The college received nearly 10,000 applications in peak years (e.g., 2010), though recent trends suggest fluctuating selectivity. Applications are due March 1 for regular decision.
Geneseo’s academic rigor is its calling card—100% of students complete first-year seminars and writing-intensive courses, and 60% participate in service learning. The most popular major is Business Administration (105 degrees awarded annually), but the college shines in liberal arts, with strong programs in education, biology, and psychology. Small classes are the norm, and faculty are praised for being . Unique offerings include a 4+1 AI in Business program and robust study-abroad opportunities. The curriculum emphasizes capstone projects, with 100% of seniors completing one.
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.
Communication and Media Studies$32,711
International Relations and National Security Studies$32,569
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 at Geneseo revolves around its strong sense of community and clubs for every niche—from psychology club to gaming club. The campus is vibrant but not a party school, with a focus on "intentionally educational" engagement (think: sustainability initiatives, not Greek life). Students describe the vibe as collaborative rather than cutthroat, with a mix of academic intensity and quirky traditions. The rural location (90 minutes from Rochester) fosters a tight-knit feel, though some lament the lack of big-city amenities.
Geneseo delivers strong ROI: 64% graduate in four years (well above the national average), and alumni earn a median salary of $51,097 six years out. For business majors, employment rates hit 90–98% within seven months of graduation. The college’s upward mobility metrics are notable, with many 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 outperforming income expectations. Notably, the Master’s in Accounting program boasts near-perfect job placement.
As a SUNY school, Geneseo is a bargain: in-state net price averages $18,726, while out-of-state students pay around $32,000 after aid. A whopping 96% of first-years receive grants or scholarships, with average aid packages of $14,989. The college offers a Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator to estimate costs, and financial aid staff are notably hands-on in helping families navigate options.
Geneseo is the only public honors college in New York, offering a private-school experience at a public price. Its blend of rigorous academics (evidenced by 100% senior capstone completion), strong outcomes, and quirky community spirit makes it a standout among SUNY schools. The college punches above its weight in alumni earnings and graduation rates, proving that you don’t need Ivy League debt to get a transformative education. For students who thrive in a serious-but-not-stuffy environment, it’s a hidden gem.
