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SUNY College at Potsdam

SUNY-Potsdam

Potsdam, New York 13676-2294

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege town

Excellent value

SUNY College at Potsdam is a public institution in Potsdam with particular strength in psychology and business.

A small campus of 2K undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

48% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $47,866 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,295.

Established
1816
Motto
"To Learn - To Search - To Serve"
Mascot
Max C. Bear
Type
Public college
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

116 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Visit

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85%Acceptance
SAT Avg
1,951Students
10:1Student:Faculty
48%Grad Rate
$47,866Earnings 10yr
$14,295Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate85.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Financial Aid

Pell Grant eligible
43%
First-generation
34%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,712
Tuition (out-of-state)$18,622
Room & Board$15,084
Books & Supplies$950
Total Cost of Attendance$24,489
Average Net Price$14,295
Median Debt at Graduation$24,250
Monthly Payment (10yr)$257

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$8,948
$30–48K$11,590
$48–75K$14,617
$75–110K$16,141
$110K+$19,966

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

36.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.7%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$18,166

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

14

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Student-faculty ratio
10:1

Programs (59)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

78%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
1,951
Gender Split
58% / 42%
Women / Men
First Generation
34%
Pell Grant Recipients
43%

Race & Ethnicity

White 73%
Black 7%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 2%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate47.9%
Freshman Retention77.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$39,440
10 Years$47,866

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Bears

Ice hockeyVolleyballSoccer

History & Fun Facts

  • History 1800s Potsdam was founded by Benjamin Raymond in 1816 as the "St.
  • In 1834, the academy was chosen by the New York State Legislature to exclusively offer a teacher education program for its senatorial district.
  • In 1866, the State Legislature ended its funding of teacher education departments in private academies, and began establishing several normal schools throughout the state.
  • The Village of Potsdam was thus named as one of four locations for new normal schools, and in 1867, the St.
  • By 1886, the Potsdam Normal School had become the first institution in the United States to offer a normal training course for public school music teachers in the United States.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

139Very High

Estimated from NY state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675K
253 mi(439 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
277 mi(480 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
326 mi(565 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BTV Burlington91 mi
SYR Syracuse Hancock121 mi
ALB Albany145 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA253 mi · ~7h 19m drive
New York, NY277 mi · ~8h drive
Hartford, CT231 mi · ~6h 40m drive
Providence, RI266 mi · ~7h 41m drive
Albany, NY152 mi · ~4h 23m drive
Syracuse, NY126 mi · ~3h 38m drive
Rochester, NY167 mi · ~4h 49m drive
Buffalo, NY230 mi · ~6h 39m drive
Philadelphia, PA326 mi · ~9h 25m drive
Pittsburgh, PA388 mi · ~11h 13m drive
Harrisburg, PA319 mi · ~9h 13m drive
Newark, NJ274 mi · ~7h 55m drive
Trenton, NJ307 mi · ~8h 52m drive
Northern (cold winters, cool summers)

Visit Planning

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