The State University of New York at New Paltz has been ranked No. 2 in the Affordable Colleges Online list of “Top 50 Affordable Colleges with a High ROI,” a list of the nation’s most affordable colleges with the biggest return on investment (ROI).
“This recognition from Affordable Colleges Online reflects our ongoing efforts to provide an excellent education to each of our students while also remaining sensitive to the expense of a college education. We are proud to receive another testamonial to the outstanding value of a New Paltz education,” said L. David Eaton, vice president of enrollment management at New Paltz.
The State University of New York at New Paltz has been ranked No. 5 in the College Database list of “Top 50 public colleges and universities for best lifetime degree value,” a list of the nation’s college’s with the greatest lifetime return on investment (ROI). New Paltz was one of only three SUNY campuses included in this national ranking, and the only one in the top 10.
The College Database set out to find the post-secondary, public institutions whose graduates enjoy the largest earnings gap between non-degree holders, over a 30-year span.
“Students paying for college want to know they’re making a solid long-term investment,” said Wes Ricketts, vice president and general manager of The College Database. “We wanted to highlight the institutions with graduates who earn top dollar five, 10 and even 30 years after earning their degree.”
The State University of New York at New Paltz ranked 6th among best public regional universities in New England and the Mid-Atlantic with both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual college rankings. New Paltz also ranked 33rd among public and private regional universities in New England and the Mid-Atlantic with bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
New Paltz rose in two critical categories used in the rankings – average first-year student retention rates and six-year graduation rates.
New Paltz’s average first-year retention rate is 88 percent, increased from 87 percent in the 2013 rankings. The six-year graduation rate is 73 percent, up from 69 percent in the 2013 rankings and 68 percent in the 2012 rankings.
“We are pleased to see our increasing graduation rates, well above national averages, recognized in these rankings,” said L. David Eaton, vice president of enrollment management at New Paltz. “The high peer assessment reflects our growing reputation as a well-regarded public university in the Northeast.”
The rankings will be published in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 America’s Best Colleges Guidebook, which will be published in the magazine’s Sept. 24 issue. They are also posted on the U.S. News & World Report’s website at http://www.usnews.com.
The State University of New York at New Paltz was ranked 49th out of 100 public four-year institutions for high-quality education at an affordable price in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine’s yearly rankings for 2014. New Paltz was one of just nine SUNY schools included on the list, which ranked colleges nationwide according to low sticker prices, ample financial aid, and low average debt upon graduation, as well as admission rate, student-faculty ratio, and other factors.
“We are honored to receive another external and expert endorsement of the outstanding value of a New Paltz education,” said L. David Eaton, vice president of enrollment management at New Paltz. “This testimonial underscores what we already know about this college – we have outstanding students who are successful here in their lives after graduation, and we remain affordable, thus providing access to talented students from New York State and beyond.”
