City College of New York vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY City College 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.

CUNY City College is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY City College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY City College 15:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

City College of New York vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City College of New York 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 CUNY City College than Buffalo State College ($4,664 vs. $12,023).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 15.1% lower than at CUNY City College ($15,986 vs. $18,840).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is 16.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $1,193 more per year; $8,533.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at Buffalo State College than at CUNY City College (about $4,363 more per year; $19,653.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at CUNY City College (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 19.8% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($11,697 vs. $9,763).

City College of New York vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, City College of New York 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 City College of New York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at CUNY City College (1250) is 140 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY City College 1070/1430; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: City College of New York - Test optional; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman City College of New York students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than City College of New York (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at City College of New York vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

City College of New York vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City College of New York 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).

• SUNY Buffalo State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from CUNY City College earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $10,009 lower median loan debt than Buffalo State College graduates ($11,400 vs. $21,409).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buffalo State College graduates ($117 vs. $221).
• More Buffalo State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 52%)

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.