Fisher vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. John Fisher University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (3,693 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. John Fisher University is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• St. John Fisher University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St. John Fisher University 11:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Fisher vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher or Purchase 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 at Purchase College than Fisher ($18,211 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. John Fisher University are 9.3% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($14,908 vs. $16,436).
• St. John Fisher University is 360.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $32,237 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.5% higher at Fisher than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $21,987 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at SUNY at Purchase College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 135.1% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($24,530 vs. $10,432).

Fisher vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher or Purchase 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 Purchase College and Fisher.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 70 points higher than at Fisher (1210).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Fisher).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 1120/1300; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 23/28; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fisher students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Fisher vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Fisher vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher and Purchase 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from St. John Fisher University earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $1,400 lower median loan debt than Fisher graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,900).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fisher graduates ($232 vs. $247).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 65%)

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.