Houghton University vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare Houghton University in Houghton, NY 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 Houghton University based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 1,200 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Houghton University is located in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Houghton University 12:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Houghton University vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Houghton University 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 State University of New York at Cortland than Houghton University ($19,847 vs. $21,274).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 27% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($11,360 vs. $15,560).
• Houghton University is 107.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $9,556 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at SUNY Cortland than at Houghton University (about $354 more per year; $18,784.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at State University of New York at Cortland (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houghton University students is 20% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($9,902 vs. $8,254).

Houghton University vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Houghton University 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 Houghton University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houghton University (1270) is 100 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Houghton University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 1170/1375; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 26/31; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Houghton University - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Houghton University has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Houghton University vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Houghton University 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).

• Houghton University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from State University of New York at Cortland earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Houghton University graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Houghton University graduates ($222 vs. $263).
• More Houghton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 75%)

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.