University at Albany- SUNY vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

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

University at Albany is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Albany 16:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany- SUNY ($12,023 vs. $17,949).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 2.7% lower than at University at Albany ($15,986 vs. $16,423).
• University at Albany is 27.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $2,333 more per year; $10,866.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59% higher at University at Albany- SUNY than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $11,603 more per year; $31,256.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at University at Albany (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 4.3% larger than aid received by University at Albany students ($11,697 vs. $11,210).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Albany (1220) is 110 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 1120/1320; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University at Albany- SUNY students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than University at Albany- SUNY (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University at Albany's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from University at Albany earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,800 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $344 lower median loan debt than Buffalo State College graduates ($21,065 vs. $21,409).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buffalo State College graduates ($217 vs. $221).
• More University at Albany- SUNY graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 59%)

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.