Fitchburg State vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Fitchburg State vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or SUNY Cortland? 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 Fitchburg State University than SUNY Cortland ($15,340 vs. $19,847).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 0.7% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($15,452 vs. $15,560).
• Fitchburg State University is 27.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $2,472 more per year; $11,346.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at SUNY Cortland than at Fitchburg State University (about $1,358 more per year; $18,784.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at State University of New York at Cortland (92% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 39.8% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($11,539 vs. $8,254).

Fitchburg State vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or SUNY Cortland? 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 SUNY Cortland and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at State University of New York at Cortland (1170) is 20 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsState University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Fitchburg State vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and SUNY Cortland? 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from State University of New York at Cortland earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $1,185 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($222 vs. $234).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 65%)

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.