Humboldt State University vs. Buffalo State College

Should I go to Humboldt State University or SUNY College at Buffalo? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Humboldt State University or Buffalo State College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Humboldt State University vs. SUNY College at Buffalo comparison
Humboldt State University SUNY College at Buffalo College 3 College 4
Humboldt State University SUNY College at Buffalo
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Overview

Humboldt State University Buffalo State College
Location Arcata, CA Buffalo, NY
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 6,156 6,470
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #803 #609
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website humboldt.edu buffalostate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Humboldt State University Buffalo State College
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,070
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $17,490
Room & Board $13,166 $16,716
Avg Net Price $13,837 $13,735
Avg Grant Aid $10,046 $8,921
% Receiving Grant Aid 65% 88%

Admission

Humboldt State University Buffalo State College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,019 15,943
Admitted 13,855 12,096
Acceptance Rate 98.8% 75.9%
Enrolled % 6.9% 12%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 2.84
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25
SAT Range 970/1190 960/1190
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 30, 2026

Academics

Humboldt State University Buffalo State College
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Humboldt State University Buffalo State College
Graduation Rate 40% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $40,700
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $21,409
Median Loan Payment $201 $221

Diversity

Humboldt State University Buffalo State College
% Men 3% 4%
% Women 6% 10%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 51%
% Black 3% 28%
% Hispanic 33% 12%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Humboldt State University Buffalo State College
% In-State 93% 94%
% Out-of-State 7% 3%

Campus

Humboldt State University Buffalo State College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • SUNY College at Buffalo is larger than than Humboldt State University based on total student enrollment (6,470 students vs. 6,156 students)

Humboldt State University vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Humboldt State University or Buffalo State College?

  • SUNY College at Buffalo is 23.1% more expensive to attend than Humboldt State University for in-state tuition ($7,070.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.8% higher at Humboldt State University than SUNY College at Buffalo ($17,622.00 vs. $17,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY College at Buffalo than Humboldt State University ($13,735 vs. $13,837)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Humboldt State University are 27% lower than costs at SUNY College at Buffalo ($13,166 vs. $16,716)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at SUNY College at Buffalo than Humboldt State University (88% vs. 65%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Humboldt State University students is 12.6% larger than aid received SUNY College at Buffalo ($10,046 vs. $8,921)

Humboldt State University vs. Buffalo State College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Humboldt State University or Buffalo State College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Buffalo State College or Humboldt State University .

  • The average SAT score at Humboldt State University (990) is 89 points higher than at Buffalo State College (901)
  • Incoming Humboldt State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Buffalo State College (19)
  • Accepted freshman Humboldt State University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Buffalo State College (75.9%)

Humboldt State University vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Humboldt State University or Buffalo State College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Buffalo State College and Humboldt State University.

  • The graduation rate at Buffalo State College is higher than Humboldt State University (47% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from SUNY College at Buffalo earn on average $1,700 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($40,700 vs. $39,000)
  • Humboldt State University students graduate with a $1,909 lower median federal student loan debt than Buffalo State College graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,409)
  • Humboldt State University graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than Buffalo State College graduates. ($201 vs. $221)
  • More Buffalo State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Humboldt State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/