SUNY, Purchase College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About SUNY
Studios and stages sit a short walk from wooded lawns, which says a lot about Purchase College. The school is known for a serious arts focus alongside strong work in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Classrooms, galleries, rehearsal rooms, a major performing arts center, and a well regarded campus museum set an academic tone that's hands on and critique driven. Students find advising, tutoring, counseling, and a library that stays lively when projects hit crunch time.
Campus life leans creative and collaborative. Student run venues host late night shows, clubs fill the calendar, and open studios and senior showcases draw crowds. Recreation ranges from fitness centers and intramurals to quiet paths you'll actually use. Career prep centers on portfolios, internships, and visiting pros who know the New York arts and media scene, with Westchester opportunities close by. The culture feels unpretentious, a little scrappy, very DIY. Notable alumni include Edie Falco and Constance Wu.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
SUNY, Purchase College offers 43 degree programs across 15 major academic fields, graduating approximately 751 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Arts (21 programs, 397 graduates), Communication (4 programs, 93 graduates), Psychology (1 programs, 58 graduates), Social Sciences (4 programs, 53 graduates) and English (2 programs, 42 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Arts (21 programs, 397 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dance | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 39 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0101 |
| Playwriting and Screenwriting | 37 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0504 |
| Theatre Arts | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Fine and Studio Arts Management | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.1002 |
| Theatre Design and Technology | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0502 |
| Painting | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0708 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0602 |
| Graphic Design | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Acting | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0506 |
| Film and Media Studies | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0601 |
| Jazz Studies | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0910 |
| Art History and Conservation | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0703 |
| Photography | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0605 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
| Printmaking | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0710 |
| Musical Theatre | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0509 |
| Music Performance | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Music | 7 |
|
Master's
|
50.0901 |
| Sculpture | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0709 |
| Voice and Opera Performance | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0908 |
Communication (4 programs, 93 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0100 |
| Mass Communication and Media Studies | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0102 |
| Journalism | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0401 |
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0702 |
Psychology (1 programs, 58 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 58 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Social Sciences (4 programs, 53 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropology | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
| Political Science and Government | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Economics | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
English (2 programs, 42 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
| Creative Writing | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1302 |
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 38 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
24.0101 |
History (1 programs, 15 graduates)
Historical Studies, Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
54.0101 |
Human Sciences (1 programs, 12 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Management | 12 |
|
Other Award
|
19.0708 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 12 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
Mathematics (1 programs, 9 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at SUNY, Purchase College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about SUNY, Purchase College
How much does it cost to attend SUNY, Purchase College?
The annual tuition at SUNY, Purchase College is $8,953 for in-state students and $18,863 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $29,043 for in-state students and $38,953 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $15,400 (on) / $16,836 (off) and books and supplies $1,240.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does SUNY, Purchase College offer?
SUNY, Purchase College offers 43 academic programs across 15 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (21 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (4 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (4 programs)
- English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for SUNY, Purchase College?
SUNY, Purchase College has an 72.8% acceptance rate and a 14.8% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 7,221
- Students admitted: 5,259
- Students enrolled: 777
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at SUNY, Purchase College?
SUNY, Purchase College provides financial aid to 22% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $9,627 and average loans of $6,318.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,351
- State/Local grants: $4,631
- Institutional grants: $3,516
- Federal loans: $5,340
The university supports 490 students with grants and 339 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for SUNY, Purchase College graduates?
SUNY, Purchase College graduates earn a median salary of $31,229 after 6 years and $45,092 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $18,464 (25th percentile) to $68,776 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $75,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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