University at Albany- SUNY vs. Suffolk County Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare University at Albany in Albany, NY with Suffolk County Community College in Selden, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Suffolk County Community College is larger than University at Albany- SUNY based on total student enrollment (19,973 students vs. 17,560 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); Suffolk County Community College is in Selden, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Suffolk County Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Albany 16:1; Suffolk County Community College 25:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Suffolk County Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY or Suffolk County Community 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 Suffolk County Community College than University at Albany- SUNY ($4,965 vs. $17,949).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Suffolk County Community College are 79.5% lower than at University at Albany ($3,374 vs. $16,423).
• University at Albany is 63.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Suffolk County Community College (about $4,236 more per year; $10,866.00 vs. $6,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.9% higher at University at Albany- SUNY than at Suffolk County Community College (about $18,796 more per year; $31,256.00 vs. $12,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at Suffolk County Community College (96% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Albany students is 51.6% larger than aid received by Suffolk County Community College students ($11,210 vs. $7,393).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Suffolk County Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University at Albany- SUNY or Suffolk County Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Suffolk County Community College and University at Albany- SUNY.

• Suffolk County Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University at Albany 1120/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University at Albany 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; Suffolk County Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman University at Albany- SUNY students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Suffolk County Community College (2.5).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Suffolk County Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University at Albany- SUNY and Suffolk County Community College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University at Albany's six-year graduation rate is 64%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Suffolk County Community College.
• Graduates from University at Albany earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Suffolk County Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,800 vs. $40,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Suffolk County Community College graduates have a $13,565 lower median loan debt than University at Albany- SUNY graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,065).
• Among borrowers, Suffolk County Community College graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University at Albany- SUNY graduates ($77 vs. $217).
• More University at Albany- SUNY graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Suffolk County Community College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 55%)

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.