SUNY Empire State University
Locations: Saratoga Springs (NY)
Annual Tuition: $17,558
Student Reviews
Jessica Burhans
Reviewed: 4/1/2026
Degree: Business Administration
I was able to attend Suny Empire State College all online. This was very helpful to me because I had 2 babies while finishing my Bachelor's Degree. I was able to keep up with studies and not have to leave my kids for a long drive. All of the teachers were patient, knowledgeable, and understanding. I had one teacher who refused to give an A, so I got an A-, making my overall GPA not be a solid 4.0, but he was still very educated and I learned a ton from him on Human Resources. I own my own business,... Read More
Beth
Reviewed: 3/11/2026
Degree: Data Analytics
I am doing the online Masters of Science in Applied Data Analytics. I work full time and have kids, and I find the program extremely flexible. The faculty are great and I've learned so much from the courses, including things that I have immediately implemented at my job. I currently have one class left until I graduate and I would highly recommend this program for anyone involved in business analysis who wants to learn more and advance in their job.
LRoth
Reviewed: 1/14/2026
Degree: Management Information Systems
Attending Empire State online was a great experience. The advisors are exceptional and will truly help you find the right course plan for you. Despite being online, the school did a great job supporting us with various opportunities for additional academic support, library and technology assistance.
Elli
Reviewed: 9/18/2023
Degree: Liberal Arts
Go somewhere else. You aren't being taught anything, just reading and writing papers. If you are not the best with writing, save your money because that's all this school is. Very rarely do professors offer help or communicate. I've had a couple great ones, the rest just have the degree but no knowledge on teaching. The workloads are out of control and the discussion posts are a complete waste of time. There would be no discussion graded in a normal class, why are we forced to interact constantly.... Read More
Never again
Reviewed: 5/26/2023
Degree: Liberal Arts
Between unrealistic expectations in their history courses, having an “mentor” who hasn’t reached out to me in 5 months, being ignored by my student coordinator when I told her I was depressed and struggling with my mental health. All my professors were great, but some give a ridiculously large amount of work for an online SUNY. I don’t know if they are trying to prove something since they’re online and no one outside of the Saratoga Springs area knows what Empire is. But this college made me hate... Read More
Anonymous
Reviewed: 12/15/2022
Degree: Clinical Psychology
If you're transferring make sure your courses will be accepted. They'll accept C grades and up. They won't tell you unless you ask. Some professors give an unbelievable amount of work. Advisors are worthless. I would not recommend this college. Happy I graduated with excellent grades. But the experience was awful.
This school sucks
Reviewed: 12/14/2022
Degree: Human Resources
This school is terrible. If you need to speak to a teacher for anything good luck. If you notice a teacher is grading something wrong and you ask you’re gonna get told it’s just a glitch with the computer. Even if it bring you to a failing grade. The amount of effort that goes into teaching is 0. The actual materials offered to help in you in any way shape or form is non existent. This was a waste of my time and money and I will not be attending a mother semester.
Christina Basso
Reviewed: 3/24/2022
Degree: Education
If you are looking for an university that is not student-centered, has no care of providing adequate resources with a student with disabilities, this is the university for you! The Student Affairs division is second to none. There is no meeting with the provost or dean of students within you major. You get stuck at the level of Director of Student Life. I will not name the individual, but she is hostile, passive aggressive, and screaming matches over MS Teams and phone have to occur in order to meet... Read More
Anonymous
Reviewed: 11/26/2021
Degree: Fine Arts
I am currently enrolled in all online classes . Most of what I am learning I can find on google for free. Independent studies are a ripoff because you basically teach yourself everything. You get no holidays but the staff of course get them . Many can’t be as productive without breaks and holidays . I had transferred from CUNY where I was far more productive because we had holidays. State schools should not be allowed to deny Thanksgiving or Spring Holidays but SUNY does that . Only staff get holidays.... Read More
Javier Martinez
Reviewed: 11/16/2021
Degree: Public Administration
I was in my mid-30's and wanted to make a career change, but needed to finish my bachelor's degree to do so. I did extensive research into online degree programs because I was going to have to work full time while taking classes and didn't have a schedule that allowed me to attend evening classes at a brick-and-mortar school. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the SUNY system not only offered online degrees, but also offered a degree specifically in my field of interest, not just in "General... Read More
Williss
Reviewed: 10/12/2020
Degree: Science & Math
I got a degree in Science, Mathematics and Technology with a concentration in Mathematics. In the 1.5 semesters of math classes I took from this school online, I can only remember 1 teacher providing a half dozen lectures - 1. Most often, the book was the only resource given. On top of that, written communication from the "instructors" was poor far too often. Responses are usually days later so you better hope there isn't any miscommunication because that deadline on your work isn't budging. I say... Read More
SUNY graduate
Reviewed: 9/15/2020
Degree: Emergency Management
SUNY Empire was my first complete online school, for half of my Bachelors and my Masters. I had a great experience while going here, to the point when I continue to look for online schools, I use Empire's standards. I was searching for online schools to get my Master's and almost all want Live classes. If I'm busy with working and family, and unable to attend school physically, obviously Live classes would be just as inconvenient. Online is SUPPOSED to be convenient and helpful with managing your... Read More
Thomas
Reviewed: 2/20/2020
Degree: Business
This school will not prepare students for real professional challenges. The online courses are too dependent on expensive textbooks that do majority of the teaching. Also, the instructional designers are outdated and use copied template styles for all courses designs. I recommend attending a local school and utilizing their professional network connections, which Empire will not provide. This school is convenient, but its value is empty and not beneficial for long-term professional success.
Sen-Pei Hsia
Reviewed: 5/10/2019
Degree: Management
Excellent school for adult learners. This school is meant for those non traditional adult learners who have either had a break in their education, a career, a family that they had to take care of, or any other reason why they couldn't pursue linear academic success earlier in their lives. I think that SUNY Empire State College is one of the best schools that I have attended simply because of their mentorship program, which is when they pair you with a mentor who guides you throughout your academic... Read More
SUNY Graduate
Reviewed: 4/17/2019
Degree: Business Administration
My experience at SUNY Empire State College was wonderful. The curriculum was challenging, the professors were amazing and the entire staff were extremely professional. As in every college or university, you will get good and bad reviews but my experience, as a previous student and a current professional those who complain about schools are usually the ones who are unable to keep up with the challenge. Empire State College is part of the SUNY and as such, it upholds the reputation, quality of education... Read More
Paul
Reviewed: 12/27/2018
Degree: Business
Like any school there are good and bad professors. I made the most of it and had some good learning experiences. I utilized the disability services office due to a cognitive ability impairing condition and was supposed to be allowed additional time to post assignments, I had one professor who did not follow these instructions and it was impacting my grade. I spoke with my very unsympathetic and rather mean "mentor" who said I could drop the class. I did, and apparently it did not go through and I... Read More
Empire State College Review
Reviewed: 12/11/2018
Degree: Human Services
Some instructors slow to post grades, and feedback. Constant outtages, and technology issues. I was going off to grad school, and was on a time constraint- was told by Empire administration to request grades early so that I would not be dropped, some of them refused saying they felt that they were doing me a favor. Meanwhile I was constantly bombarded by emails threatening to drop me from my graduate program. I experienced a number of personal/ professional setbacks while attending ESC, and the term... Read More
Student
Reviewed: 11/19/2018
Degree: Military Science
Slow to post grades. Professors often do not communicate with students, and seem to work/post on their own time schedule. Throughout my six year academic career, I have NEVER experienced this before. Usually grades have been posted precisely when due, and there is high instructor feedback.
Anonymous
Reviewed: 10/28/2018
Degree: Sociology
Good Overall. The school is great. But some professors are unprofessional. A L. is also professor at Skidmore College, and former students have negatively reviewed her there. She is an effective teacher, but does not grade in a timely fashion.
Current Student
Reviewed: 8/24/2018
Degree: Sociology
Helpful in some ways, horrific in others. I found many of the staff members rude, and unprofessional when I called. I worked hard and earned a 3.7 GPA and am on track for the same this term. Despite this the school passed me up for scholarships. I am earning both an associates, and bachelors this final term.