Excelsior University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Albany, New York. It enrolls 11,550 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
Academic CalendarOther Academic Year
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
50/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes—
Value—
Affordability29
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for Excelsior University.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Excelsior University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Net-price data is not yet reported for this school.
Average Net Price
—
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
28%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
34%
Borrowing to attend
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,25010%percentile
$3,50025%percentile
$13,769Medianpercentile
$13,50075%percentile
$20,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $11,253
↓ $2,516
No Pell $10,500
↓ $3,269
Dependent students $5,500
↓ $8,269
Independent students $11,485
↓ $2,284
Female students $12,250
↓ $1,519
Male students $9,500
↓ $4,269
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,833, close to what completers borrow ($13,769) but without the degree to show for it.
Graduation Rate & Retention
37% of full-time students who enrolled at Excelsior University graduate within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
37%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
—
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Excelsior University earn a median of $78,493 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$78,493
Earning > $25K
88%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Who Studies Here
Excelsior University is home to 11,550 students, a large student community. Some distinctive traits: 48% are first-generation college students, 100% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
11,550
Part-Time
100%
First-Generation
48%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 55.7%6,428
Black 20.8%2,407
Hispanic 14.1%1,632
Other 4.9%571
Asian 3.1%353
International 0.8%89
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Excelsior University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityAlbany, New York
Housing
Commuter campusOnline-only, no physical campus
Adult Learners
86%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Other Academic Yearscheduling structure
Designation
Online-only institution
What You Can Study
Excelsior University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
61 distinct programs across
14 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Excelsior University is 20:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
20:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$50M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$81,477
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
20 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
No Rank
20
100%
$81,477
Pros & Cons of Excelsior University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Excelsior University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Above-average post-graduation earnings
First-gen-friendly student body
Flexible part-time enrollment options
CONS
Larger class sizes than typical
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
Mostly part-time student body, less full-time campus feel
Best for:
Based on the data, Excelsior University is a fit for
working adults or students needing part-time study options; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Excelsior University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Excelsior University.
What is Excelsior University known for?
Excelsior University is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Nursing, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Excelsior University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Excelsior University are $78,493, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Excelsior University accredited?
Yes. Excelsior University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend Excelsior University?
Excelsior University enrolls 11,550 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Excelsior University?
Excelsior University graduates 37% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Excelsior University a public or private college?
Excelsior University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Excelsior University located?
Excelsior University is located in Albany, New York.
What programs does Excelsior University offer?
Excelsior University offers 61 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Nursing, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Excelsior University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Excelsior University is 20:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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