University at Albany- SUNY vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare University at Albany in Albany, NY with College of Charleston in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Albany is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Albany 16:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY or CofC? 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 University at Albany than CofC ($17,949 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 12.7% lower than at University at Albany ($14,332 vs. $16,423).
• College of Charleston is 19.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University at Albany- SUNY (about $2,112 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $10,866.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at CofC than at University at Albany (about $7,040 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $31,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at College of Charleston (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Albany students is 24.8% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($11,210 vs. $8,983).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University at Albany- SUNY or CofC? 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 CofC and University at Albany- SUNY.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 10 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1220).
• Incoming CofC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at University at Albany- SUNY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 1120/1320; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• University at Albany- SUNY has a higher acceptance rate (69.1%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 11.9% at CofC.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University at Albany- SUNY and CofC? 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).

• University at Albany's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from University at Albany earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,800 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $435 lower median loan debt than CofC graduates ($21,065 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CofC graduates ($217 vs. $222).
• More University at Albany- SUNY graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 60%)

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.