Plaza College vs. Empire State University

Comparable Facts

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

Empire State University is larger than Plaza College based on total student enrollment (10,469 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Plaza College is located in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting); Empire State University is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Empire State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Plaza College 28:1; Empire State University 17:1.

Plaza College vs. Empire State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Plaza College or Empire State University? 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 Empire State University than Plaza College ($11,659 vs. $19,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Empire State University are 8.2% lower than at Plaza College ($14,230 vs. $15,500).
• Plaza College is 102% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $7,802 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at Empire State University than at Plaza College (about $2,108 more per year; $17,558.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plaza College than at Empire State University (93% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Empire State University students is 23.7% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($8,243 vs. $6,665).

Plaza College vs. Empire State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Plaza College or Empire State University? 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 Empire State University and Plaza College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Plaza College - Test-free; Empire State University - Not reported.

Plaza College vs. Empire State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Plaza College and Empire State University? 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 Empire State University earn a median of about $18,700 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $9,335 lower median loan debt than Empire State University graduates ($13,915 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $97 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Empire State University graduates ($143 vs. $240).
• More Empire State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.