Columbia vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

Columbia vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Buffalo State College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY Buffalo State University than Columbia ($12,023 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 9.1% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($15,986 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 742% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $63,312 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 265.6% higher at Columbia than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $52,192 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 472.9% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($67,010 vs. $11,697).

Columbia vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or Buffalo State College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Buffalo State College and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 440 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 1.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

Columbia vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Buffalo State College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $66,900 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $91 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($21,409 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($221 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.