Like many other four-year colleges within the State University of New York system, SUNY Oneonta consistently receives praise for providing a quality education at an affordable price. In 2023, it joined the American Talent Initiative, an academic alliance aimed at enrolling, supporting and graduating more low-income students.
SUNY Oneonta has about 5,500 students. The university offers dozens of majors, including dietetics, art and design, fashion and textiles, meteorology and music industry. Money estimates its net price of a degree (before capturing state or federal financial aid) totals about $110,575 — significantly lower than the average of all the schools on Money’s list.
The central New York campus is on a hill overlooking the city of Oneonta, which has about 15,000 residents. It boasts a quaint Main Street, roller rink and farmers market. A lush wooded area two miles from campus is available for recreational activities and also houses the college's weather observatory, with the state's largest optical telescope.
The city itself has a college-town vibe, thanks to SUNY Oneonta and nearby Hartwick College. Students say there are enough bars and restaurants to make for a bustling nightlife.
