RPI vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

RPI vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI 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 RPI ($12,023 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 11.8% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($15,986 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 651% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $55,548 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 226.1% higher at RPI than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $44,428 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 272% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($43,517 vs. $11,697).

RPI vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI 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 RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 330 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 1.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

RPI vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $41,800 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $6,091 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($21,409 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($221 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 59%)

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.