Culinary Institute of America vs. Niagara University

Comparable Facts

Compare Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY with Niagara University in Niagara University, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Niagara University is larger than Culinary Institute of America based on total student enrollment (4,033 students vs. 3,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Culinary Institute of America is located in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting); Niagara University is in Niagara University, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Niagara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Culinary Institute of America 18:1; Niagara University 10:1.

Culinary Institute of America vs. Niagara University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Culinary Institute of America or Niagara University? 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 Niagara University than Culinary Institute of America ($16,613 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Niagara University are 10.8% lower than at Culinary Institute of America ($13,400 vs. $15,030).
• Culinary Institute of America is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Niagara University (about $505 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $39,345.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Culinary Institute of America than at Niagara University (about $505 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $39,345.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Niagara University than at Culinary Institute of America (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Niagara University students is 73.5% larger than aid received by Culinary Institute of America students ($33,575 vs. $19,350).

Culinary Institute of America vs. Niagara University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Culinary Institute of America or Niagara University? 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 Niagara University and Culinary Institute of America.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Niagara University (1150) is 90 points higher than at Culinary Institute of America (1060).
• Incoming Niagara University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Culinary Institute of America).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Culinary Institute of America 928/1183; Niagara University 1060/1235.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Culinary Institute of America 17/23; Niagara University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Culinary Institute of America - Test optional; Niagara University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Niagara University Aug 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Niagara University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Culinary Institute of America (3.26).
• Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than Niagara University (87.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at Culinary Institute of America vs. 14.5% at Niagara University.

Culinary Institute of America vs. Niagara University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Culinary Institute of America and Niagara University? 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).

• Graduates from Culinary Institute of America earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Niagara University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Niagara University graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Niagara University graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Niagara University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.