About Empire State University
Empire State University was established in 1971 as a distinctive statewide SUNY institution focused on nontraditional teaching and learning. In March 2023, SUNY Empire State College became Empire State University. It is a place where college faculty mentors guide learners through designing an individual degree program within 12 broad areas. Further, the college continues its 40-year commitment to valuing learning gained from life and work experience and has a clear process for assessing and awarding credit for college-level learning gained through experience.
Empire State awards more than 65 undergraduate degrees, more than 20 graduate degrees, and a doctoral program. Since its foundation, Empire State has been an innovative campus dedicated to empowering learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. This moved up to providing online degrees taught by a world-class faculty. Empire State University online degrees are available at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels and allow students to customize their undergraduate degrees to meet their goals. Online degree programs are a combination of convenience, credibility, and affordability.
Accreditation & Licensing
Empire State University is accredited by:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Type:
4-year, PublicHighest Level Offered:
Doctor's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 12,735 ; Graduate: 3,552Percent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 91% ; Graduate: 99%Graduation Rate:
41%Transfer Rate:
19%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$54,080Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$18,730Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
62%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$6,143Credit for Military Training:
YesOnline Programs offered by Empire State University
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Business
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
Education
Healthcare
Psychology & Human Services
Filters
Frequently Asked Questions About Empire State University
Is Empire State University accredited?
Yes. Empire State University is institutionally accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
How many online programs does Empire State University offer?
Empire State University offers 36 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Empire State University offer?
Empire State University offers programs from associate and bachelor's through master's levels.
How should students contact admissions at Empire State University?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Empire State University expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Empire State University falls into GetEducated’s $$ tuition tier, which points to a mid tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Empire State University?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Empire State University first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
What GPA do most Empire State University programs require?
Most listed programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Is Empire State University military friendly?
Empire State University does not show Yellow Ribbon support. If military benefits matter for your plan, check current military options before you apply.
How can students request information from Empire State University through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Empire State University applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official College Transcript(s), Essay/Writing Sample, Official High School Transcript/GED Score, and Resume/CV. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Empire State University accept life experience credit?
Empire State University does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Empire State University programs fully online or mixed?
Empire State University includes 100% Online and Mostly Online options, so students should check the format of their specific program before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Empire State University offer?
Empire State University has online program options in areas such as Business, Art & Liberal Arts, Education, and Psychology & Human Services; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Do any Empire State University programs have specialized accreditation?
Program-specific accreditors include International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE); Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Are any admission tests required for Empire State University programs?
One recurring admissions-test item is Proof of English Language Proficiency (International Students). Students should confirm whether it applies to their specific program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Empire State University?
Some programs show different in-state and out-of-state tuition totals, so check your specific program cost.
Do any Empire State University programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Empire State University?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Empire State University, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Empire State University programs?
Working adults should confirm program format, total cost, timeline, and application requirements before choosing a path.
Featured Ranking Reports
Empire State University is featured in 14 of our ranking reports!
GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.
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Geographic and Educational Overview
Empire State University is located in New York
New York at a Glance:

Top Majors in New York:
Top Incentives in New York:
- Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): Up to $5,665 annually
- Excelsior Scholarship: Full tuition coverage
Top Career Pathways in New York:
- Entry Level: Financial Analyst ($85,000)
- Mid Level: Senior Analyst ($130,000)
- Senior Level: Finance Director ($200,000+)
- Required Education: BS Finance
- Certifications: CFA, Series 7, Series 63














