RIT vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

RIT vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT 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 RIT ($12,023 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 1% lower than at Rochester Institute of Technology ($15,986 vs. $16,142).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 594.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $50,741 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 201.6% higher at RIT than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $39,621 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Rochester Institute of Technology (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 199.9% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($35,077 vs. $11,697).

RIT vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIT 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 RIT .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 270 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.86 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than RIT (66.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

RIT vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT 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).

• Rochester Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $6,591 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($21,409 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($221 vs. $289).
• More RIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.