Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Shenango

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY with Penn State Shenango in Sharon, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Penn State Shenango based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Shenango is in Sharon, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Shenango is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1; Penn State Shenango 7:1.

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Shenango Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Penn State Shenango? 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 Buffalo State University than Penn State Shenango ($12,023 vs. $18,383).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Shenango are 4.5% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($15,274 vs. $15,986).
• Penn State Shenango is 64.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $5,491 more per year; $14,024.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at Penn State Shenango than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $3,907 more per year; $23,560.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Penn State Shenango (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 30.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Shenango students ($11,697 vs. $8,962).

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Shenango Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buffalo State College or Penn State Shenango? 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 Penn State Shenango and Buffalo State College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Shenango (1140) is 30 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240; Penn State Shenango 1040/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Penn State Shenango - Test optional.
• Penn State Shenango has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 28% at Penn State Shenango.

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Shenango Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buffalo State College and Penn State Shenango? 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).

• SUNY Buffalo State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Penn State Shenango's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Shenango earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $5,409 lower median loan debt than Penn State Shenango graduates ($21,409 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Shenango graduates ($221 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Shenango graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.