Fisher vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Fisher based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 3,693 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. John Fisher University is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• St. John Fisher University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St. John Fisher University 11:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Fisher vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher or SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than Fisher ($19,847 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. John Fisher University are 4.2% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($14,908 vs. $15,560).
• St. John Fisher University is 364.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $32,316 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.3% higher at Fisher than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $22,406 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at State University of New York at Cortland (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 197.2% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($24,530 vs. $8,254).

Fisher vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher or SUNY Cortland? 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 SUNY Cortland and Fisher.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John Fisher University (1210) is 40 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Fisher students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 1120/1300; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 23/28; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Fisher (3.53).
• Fisher has a higher acceptance rate (66.4%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Fisher vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Fisher vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher and SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from St. John Fisher University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,800 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $2,400 lower median loan debt than Fisher graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,900).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fisher graduates ($222 vs. $247).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisher students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

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.