
Alfred, NYpublicwww.alfredstate.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 67%–82% 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 College of Technology at Alfred is a hands-on, career-focused public college in rural New York, where 99% of graduates land jobs or further education. With an acceptance rate around 66-76%, it's a practical choice for students seeking affordable, industry-aligned programs in tech, engineering, and applied fields—backed by a 17:1 student-faculty ratio and a scrappy, inclusive campus culture.
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.
Alfred State maintains a moderately selective admissions process, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 57% to 82% across sources—likely reflecting fluctuations by year and applicant pool. The middle 50% of admitted students typically have SAT scores between 1000–1190 or ACT composites of 20–24, with an average high school GPA of 85 (roughly a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale). Notably, the college is 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., allowing applicants to forgo SAT/ACT submissions. About 23% of enrollees boast GPAs of 3.75 or higher, suggesting academic rigor isn't absent despite the accessible threshold.
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.
Alfred State shines in career-ready education, offering over 70 majors—primarily in technology, applied sciences, and vocational fields like construction management, nursing, and computer engineering. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention, particularly in hands-on programs where students work with industry-standard equipment. A standout feature: 99% of graduates are employed or in grad school within six months. While not a research powerhouse, its pragmatic curriculum earns praise; one Computer Science parent on College Confidential noted it offers 'better employment opportunities' than some tech degrees at more prestigious schools like RPI.
Life at Alfred State balances rural tranquility with active engagement. Sixty-one percent of students live on campus, fostering a tight-knit community where clubs range from robotics to multicultural groups. The vibe is collaborative but spirited—annual rivalries with neighboring Alfred University (a private institution) inject playful competition. Niche reviews highlight an 'inclusive' atmosphere, though the remote location (90 minutes from Rochester) means off-campus options are limited. Sports are Division III, with intramurals and outdoor activities like hiking filling the social calendar.
Alfred State delivers on its promise of employability: median earnings hit $45,460 within six years of graduation, outperforming many regional peers. The six-year graduation rate sits at 62%, with 58% finishing in four years—solid for a public college serving 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. U.S. News ranks it the #1 SUNY Regional College, crediting strong outcomes and faculty engagement. Notably, families typically invest $14,488 (below the national median), making the ROI compelling for cost-conscious students.
As a SUNY school, Alfred State keeps costs low: in-state tuition runs $8,892, with out-of-state students paying $16,782. The average 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 is $14,877–$18,759, and 76.58% of students receive financial aid. SUNY’s tuition-free programs for eligible NY residents (households earning under $125k) further sweeten the deal. The college provides net price calculators, but warns estimates aren’t binding—a nod to the complexity of aid packages.
Alfred State is the anti-thesis of ivory-tower academia—a place where welding labs and cybersecurity studios matter more than lecture halls. Its 99% job-placement rate reflects an unapologetic focus on turning students into skilled professionals, not just graduates. The rural setting fosters camaraderie (think bonfires and intramural hockey), while SUNY’s affordability makes it a stealthily strategic choice for hands-on learners. For those eyeing steady paychecks over prestige, it’s a rare blend of practicality and community.