SAU vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

SAU vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU 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 SAU ($12,023 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 28.4% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($11,440 vs. $15,986).
• Spring Arbor University is 298.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $25,481 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.1% higher at SAU than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $14,361 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University as at SUNY Buffalo State University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 104.1% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($23,877 vs. $11,697).

SAU vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU 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 SAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 20 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

SAU vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU 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).

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $2,634 lower median loan debt than SAU graduates ($21,409 vs. $24,043).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SAU graduates ($221 vs. $248).
• More Buffalo State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 58%)

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.