University at Albany- SUNY vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare University at Albany in Albany, NY with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Albany is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Albany 16:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY or SUNY Cortland? 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 SUNY Cortland ($17,949 vs. $19,847).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 5.3% lower than at University at Albany ($15,560 vs. $16,423).
• University at Albany is 22.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $1,992 more per year; $10,866.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.4% higher at University at Albany- SUNY than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $12,472 more per year; $31,256.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at State University of New York at Cortland (96% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Albany students is 35.8% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($11,210 vs. $8,254).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Albany (1220) is 50 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming University at Albany- SUNY students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 1120/1320; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• University at Albany- SUNY has a higher acceptance rate (69.1%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University at Albany's (64%).
• Graduates from University at Albany earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,800 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $435 lower median loan debt than SUNY Cortland 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 SUNY Cortland graduates ($217 vs. $222).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University at Albany- SUNY students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 70%)

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.