Plaza College vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY with SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Plaza College based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Plaza College is located in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Plaza College 28:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

Plaza College vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Plaza College or Buffalo State 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 SUNY Buffalo State University than Plaza College ($12,023 vs. $19,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Plaza College are 3% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($15,500 vs. $15,986).
• Plaza College is 81.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $6,917 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at Buffalo State College than at Plaza College (about $4,203 more per year; $19,653.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Plaza College (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 75.5% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($11,697 vs. $6,665).

Plaza College vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Plaza College or Buffalo State 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 Buffalo State College and Plaza College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Plaza College - Test-free; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Plaza College (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 54.9% at Plaza College vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

Plaza College vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Plaza College and Buffalo State 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 SUNY Buffalo State University earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,700 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $7,494 lower median loan debt than Buffalo State College graduates ($13,915 vs. $21,409).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buffalo State College graduates ($143 vs. $221).
• More Buffalo State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.