Purchase College vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

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

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Purchase College vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College or Jefferson? 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 at Purchase College than Jefferson ($18,211 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 3.7% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($15,834 vs. $16,436).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 430.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $38,552 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.4% higher at Jefferson than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $28,302 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at SUNY at Purchase College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 235.6% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($35,007 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson and Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 30 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Purchase College vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $82,700 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($12,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($129 vs. $232).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.