SUNY Empire State College
School info
3.3
Overall Quality
Reputation
3.5
Food
2.8
Clubs
2.7
Facilities
3.2
Internet
3.5
Location
3.8
Opportunities
3.3
Safety
4.2
Social
2.7
Happiness
3.5
Basic Information
Location
- Saratoga Springs, NY
Institution Overview
- Public/Private: Public university
- Established: 1971; 53 years ago (1971)
Academic information
Degree Courses
- More than 120
Key Area
- Women's
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- American Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Sustainability Studies
- International Relations
Student and Staff Numbers
- Students: 15,268
- Undergraduates: 12,033
- Postgraduates: 3,235
- Academic Staff: 160 full time and 490 part time
Notable Alumni
- Kenny Barron
- Alice Fulton
- Bob Herbert
- Ginny Brown-Waite
- Alan Rachins
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Students talk about this school
Good reviews
Overall 5
It is a gem hidden for those who can see it and are serious about their education.
Overall 5
awesome place - good professors and reasonable tuition.
Overall 5
Great College, my counselor Jim R., was very helpful and professional. The online classes were easy to navigate through.
Overall 4.9
Good college
Overall 4.7
SUNY has been great for me, it is not demanding and all transfer credits were accepted.
Few things - classes are mostly self-learning, professors are a bit hands-off & don't tend to allow late work in tough circumstances & SUNY systems go down a lot and I've had a LOT of issues at times with logins/my correct password not being accepted.
Overall 4.5
That the staff is friendly and eager to help you achieve your goals.
Overall 4.5
Empire is a top-notch institution and I am forever grateful for my experience as an undergrad. I graduated in December 2010 with a Bachelors in business and economics. I loved ESC so much that I will begin their Graduate program (MBA) in September 2011! The faculty has a few duds - make sure to check ratemyprofessor.com prior to registration!
Overall 4.4
Very reasonable tuition. Like any university, some professors care more than others. You have to be self-motivated, as these programs are online and geared towards independent, adult learners. Lots of diversity and clubs. Can feel lonely online so important to reach out for help. Move at your own pace. Highly recommend.
Overall 4.4
This is an online based State school. They took almost all of my credits from other schools from >10 yrs ago. Some profs engage way more than others. There is a lot of reading, discussion posts and writing (its online after all) You can log in at any time, very flexible. It isn't a joke, its college, its hard. Did i say a lot of reading/writing?
Overall 4.4
Had extensive experiential learning that translated to 55 credits towards bachelors. Online learning excellent for adult students. Very good experience here. Note some ratings do not apply since online classes only.
Bad reviews
Overall 1
This beauty boasts a 7% graduation rate. Yes, that is correct 7%!! After one semester of mass incompetence, unanswered questions and wasted tuition on 2 classes where I learned nothing except not to count on any of the mentors for anything I now believe that 7% might be inflated. I've read some of the other reviews here and concur. stay away!
Overall 1.3
Terrible school, stay far away if possible. You will learn nothing, and experience professors who don't care about their students.
Overall 1.4
Since my wife and I have been attending (4 semesters) they have had nothing but problems with their online classrooms. You call tech support and they create a ticket and literally close it out without resolution because it always seems to be a software problem from Moodle.
Overall 1.6
It's nearly impossible to communicate with the faculty. I've taken 3 classes, with 3 different teachers. Only 1 replied to emails within a few days. Another one typically replies in about two weeks (a long time when you have questions about an assignment)the third never responded after 3 emails and a phone call. I highly recommend ANYplace else
Overall 1.7
Online only. You're basically teaching yourself from course textbooks. Professor is an anonymous entity that sets the syllabus and grades the assignments. You're on your own. Have taken 5 courses w/ 5 different adjuncts that all have different criteria and rarely participate. Doing team projects & class participation online is very difficult.
Overall 1.7
They take your money
Overall 1.8
All about money. No support for students. Can't get through to any office personnel. If you want to earn a successful degree where you are totally on your own, this is the place. Otherwise, be prepared for stress
Overall 1.8
They don't tell you about all the hidden obstacles that lie ahead. Calling the people in this place is the worst, and, basically, from my experience, there is no student support system. Class books are way outdated, and the professor I had didn' t actively engage in the online class, only gave negative feedback. I will earn my B degree elsewhere
Overall 1.8
The faculty don't answer emails or phone calls and don't seem to care about the students at all. (one of my mentors never got back to me all semester. after sending a third email to him I got an out of office reply and that was my only response. and he is the department chair!) I recommend ANY other college, this one is a joke.
Overall 1.9
Please do not waste your time or money. This school is not set up for student success. The professors don't teach, have no empathy and students are not allowed to make appointments with the dean which is ridiculous. The employees are no help, they force each student to take an unnecessary educational planning course. Students teach themselves.