University at Albany- SUNY vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

University at Albany is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Albany 16:1; Vassar College 7:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($17,949 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Albany are 10% lower than at Vassar College ($16,423 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 553.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University at Albany- SUNY (about $60,164 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $10,866.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.3% higher at Vassar than at University at Albany (about $39,774 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $31,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at Vassar College (96% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 412.4% larger than aid received by University at Albany students ($57,443 vs. $11,210).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 280 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1220).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at University at Albany- SUNY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 1120/1320; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• University at Albany- SUNY has a higher acceptance rate (69.1%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University at Albany's (64%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than University at Albany- SUNY graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $55,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $5,285 lower median loan debt than University at Albany- SUNY graduates ($15,780 vs. $21,065).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University at Albany- SUNY graduates ($163 vs. $217).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University at Albany- SUNY students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.