Purchase College vs. Wagner College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Wagner College based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,001 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Wagner College is in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wagner College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Wagner College 11:1.

Purchase College vs. Wagner College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College or Wagner 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 at Purchase College than Wagner College ($18,211 vs. $28,033).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 0.3% lower than at Wagner College ($16,436 vs. $16,485).
• Wagner College is 494.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $44,247 more per year; $53,200.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 177% higher at Wagner College than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $33,997 more per year; $53,200.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wagner College than at SUNY at Purchase College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wagner College students is 263.3% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($37,897 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Wagner College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 40 points higher than at Wagner College (1240).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Wagner College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Wagner College 1190/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Wagner College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Wagner College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Wagner College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wagner College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Wagner College has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 20.1% at Wagner College.

Purchase College vs. Wagner College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College and Wagner 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).

• Wagner College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Wagner College earn a median of about $23,900 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,100 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $3,879 lower median loan debt than Wagner College graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,379).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wagner College graduates ($232 vs. $272).
• More Wagner College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.