SUNY New Paltz vs SUNY Geneseo

SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Geneseo, both esteemed institutions within the State University of New York system, offer distinct educational experiences. New Paltz boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while Geneseo's rigorous admissions process results in a smaller, tightly-knit community. Geneseo excels in the sciences, social sciences, and psychology, while New Paltz shines in the arts, education, and business. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their post-collegiate endeavors. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	State University of New York at New Paltz	SUNY College at Geneseo
Overview
Location	New Paltz, New York	Geneseo, New York
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	83.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	46.1%	73.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1150 - 1318	1160 - 1320
ACT range	24 - 30	25 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	18.0%	25.0%
Students submitting ACT score	4.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	12,482	9,103
Total number of admissions given out	5,759	6,723
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,133	1,007
Yield rate	19.7%	15.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,387 Out of state: $37,297	In state: $26,707 Out of state: $36,617
Average net price	$15,318	$20,594
Tuition	In state: $7,070 Out of state: $16,980	In state: $7,070 Out of state: $16,980
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,494 Meal plan: $5,000	Room/dormitory: $8,880 Meal plan: $5,900
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	64.0% Average amount $10,509	94.0% Average amount $6,829
Students receiving federal student loan	50.0% Average amount $5,206	59.0% Average amount $5,162
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $13,431	11.0% Average amount $11,433

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,256 Men 36.5% Women 63.5%	4,464 Men 36.4% Women 63.6%
Graduate students	819 Men 31.5% Women 68.5%	71 Men 23.9% Women 76.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	2.8%	N/A
International students	2.3%	0.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	3,198	3,297
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania Mississippi	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Business Visual & Performing Arts Health Professions Engineering	Education Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.3%	76.1%
Dropout rate	5.4%	3.1%
Transferred out	20.3%	20.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,136 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $77,593 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,207 Year 2: $51,607 Year 3: $70,694 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,261 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $68,967 Education, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $56,776 Year 3: $64,432 Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,173 Year 2: $56,979 Year 3: $60,594 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,780 Year 2: $59,688 Year 3: $60,283 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,434 Year 2: $57,899 Year 3: $59,895 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,718 Year 2: $43,128 Year 3: $55,591 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,748 Year 2: $45,794 Year 3: $53,954 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,928 Year 2: $39,508 Year 3: $53,925	Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,027 Year 2: $56,114 Year 3: $64,994 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,924 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $56,930 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,823 Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $54,268 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,289 Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $52,417 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $46,020 Year 2: $45,305 Year 3: $46,940 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,741 Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: $46,602 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,843 Year 2: $24,421 Year 3: $44,063 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $22,760 Year 2: $20,748 Year 3: $42,508 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,563 Year 2: $32,711 Year 3: $41,633 Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,257 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $41,202

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Geneseo?

SUNY New Paltz is located in a vibrant, historic town at the foothills of the Shawangunk Ridge, offering a blend of outdoor recreation and cultural experiences. It's known for its strong arts programs, particularly in ceramics, metal, and photography, and its proximity to New York City. SUNY Geneseo, on the other hand, is situated in a classic college town in the Genesee Valley, emphasizing a strong liberal arts education with a focus on undergraduate research and a close-knit campus community. Geneseo is generally considered more academically rigorous and attracts students seeking a traditional liberal arts experience.
Which college is better for students interested in the arts?

While both offer arts programs, SUNY New Paltz is generally considered stronger in the visual and performing arts, especially in areas like ceramics, metal, photography, and theatre. Its location also provides access to art scenes in the Hudson Valley and New York City. SUNY Geneseo has a solid arts program, but it's often overshadowed by its strengths in other academic areas.
How do the academic reputations of SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Geneseo compare?

SUNY Geneseo generally has a stronger academic reputation, often ranking higher in national liberal arts college rankings. It's known for its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on undergraduate research. SUNY New Paltz has a solid academic reputation, particularly in specific programs like education and the arts, but it's not typically ranked as highly as Geneseo overall.
What is the campus environment like at each school?

SUNY New Paltz has a more diverse and eclectic student body, reflecting its location and broader range of programs. The campus is lively and offers a mix of academic and social activities. SUNY Geneseo has a more traditional college town feel, with a strong sense of community and a focus on academics and campus involvement. It tends to attract students seeking a more focused and academically driven environment.
How do the locations of SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Geneseo differ, and how does that impact student life?

SUNY New Paltz is located in the town of New Paltz, NY, which offers a vibrant downtown area with shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing in the Shawangunk Ridge. Its proximity to New York City (about 90 minutes) provides opportunities for internships and cultural experiences. SUNY Geneseo is located in the village of Geneseo, NY, a more traditional college town. While offering a charming and supportive environment, it's more isolated than New Paltz, with fewer immediate access to major metropolitan areas.
Which school is more affordable?

As SUNY schools, both New Paltz and Geneseo have similar tuition rates for in-state students. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like room and board, fees, and personal expenses. It's best to check the official websites of both colleges for the most up-to-date cost information and financial aid opportunities.
What are the popular majors at SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Geneseo?

SUNY New Paltz is known for its strong programs in art, education, business, and communication. Popular majors include art, digital media production, early childhood education, and psychology. SUNY Geneseo is known for its strong liberal arts programs, particularly in education, biology, business, and psychology. Popular majors include biology, business administration, education (various specializations), and psychology.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Geneseo offer career services to assist students with internships, job searching, and career planning. SUNY New Paltz benefits from its proximity to New York City and the Hudson Valley, providing access to a wider range of internship opportunities in various fields. SUNY Geneseo has strong connections with employers in upstate New York and emphasizes career preparation within its academic programs.
What are the graduation rates and retention rates at each school?

SUNY Geneseo generally has higher graduation and retention rates compared to SUNY New Paltz. This reflects Geneseo's more selective admissions process and its focus on student success. While New Paltz has solid graduation and retention rates, Geneseo typically outperforms it in these metrics.
Which school is better for students interested in undergraduate research?

SUNY Geneseo places a strong emphasis on undergraduate research across various disciplines. It provides numerous opportunities for students to engage in research projects with faculty members. SUNY New Paltz also offers research opportunities, but it's not as central to the academic experience as it is at Geneseo.

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