Purchase College vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Purchase College vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Vassar ($18,211 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 9.9% lower than at Vassar College ($16,436 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 693.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $62,077 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 269.9% higher at Vassar than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $51,827 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Vassar College (72% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 450.6% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($57,443 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College 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 Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 220 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Purchase College vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $6,720 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($15,780 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($163 vs. $232).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.