Maria College of Albany vs. Plaza College

Comparable Facts

Compare Maria College of Albany in Albany, NY with Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Plaza College is larger than Maria College of Albany based on total student enrollment (1,002 students vs. 722 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Maria College of Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); Plaza College is in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting).
• Maria College of Albany is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maria College of Albany 6:1; Plaza College 28:1.

Maria College of Albany vs. Plaza College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maria College of Albany or Plaza 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 Maria College of Albany than Plaza College ($16,254 vs. $19,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Maria College of Albany are 38.7% lower than at Plaza College ($9,500 vs. $15,500).
• Maria College of Albany is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Plaza College (about $3,290 more per year; $18,740.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at Maria College of Albany than at Plaza College (about $3,290 more per year; $18,740.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plaza College than at Maria College of Albany (93% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maria College of Albany students is 56.1% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($10,405 vs. $6,665).

Maria College of Albany vs. Plaza College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Maria College of Albany or Plaza 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 Plaza College and Maria College of Albany.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maria College of Albany 965/1095.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maria College of Albany - Test optional; Plaza College - Test-free.
• Maria College of Albany has a higher acceptance rate (44.5%) than Plaza College (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.3% at Maria College of Albany vs. 54.9% at Plaza College.

Maria College of Albany vs. Plaza College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maria College of Albany and Plaza 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).

• Graduates from Maria College of Albany earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $6,203 lower median loan debt than Maria College of Albany graduates ($13,915 vs. $20,118).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Maria College of Albany graduates ($143 vs. $208).
• More Maria College of Albany graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 30%)

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.