University at Albany- SUNY vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

University at Albany is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Albany 16:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany than Purchase College ($17,949 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Albany are 0.1% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($16,423 vs. $16,436).
• University at Albany is 21.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $1,913 more per year; $10,866.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.8% higher at University at Albany- SUNY than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $12,053 more per year; $31,256.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at SUNY at Purchase College (96% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Albany students is 7.5% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($11,210 vs. $10,432).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany- SUNY.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 60 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1220).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at University at Albany- SUNY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 1120/1320; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Purchase College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than University at Albany- SUNY (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University at Albany's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from University at Albany earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $1,435 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($21,065 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($217 vs. $232).
• More University at Albany- SUNY graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.