EC vs. UB

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmira College in Elmira, NY with University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Buffalo is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (31,903 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); University at Buffalo is in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; University at Buffalo 11:1.

EC vs. UB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC or UB? 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 University at Buffalo than EC ($20,529 vs. $23,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 16.5% lower than at University at Buffalo ($14,550 vs. $17,426).
• Elmira College is 256.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UB (about $28,040 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $10,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.6% higher at EC than at University at Buffalo (about $7,440 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $31,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at University at Buffalo (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elmira College students is 169.9% larger than aid received by University at Buffalo students ($28,780 vs. $10,663).

EC vs. UB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC or UB? 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 UB and EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Buffalo (1300) is 60 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming UB students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; University at Buffalo 1210/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; University at Buffalo 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; UB - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UB students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than UB (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 14.1% at UB.

EC vs. UB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC and UB? 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).

• University at Buffalo's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from University at Buffalo earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Buffalo graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UB graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More EC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 70%)

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.