Buffalo State College vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY with Portland State University in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Portland State University is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1; Portland State University 17:1.

Buffalo State College vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Portland State University? 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 Portland State University than Buffalo State College ($10,195 vs. $12,023).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 14.1% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($13,728 vs. $15,986).
• Portland State University is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $3,146 more per year; $11,679.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.1% higher at Portland State University than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $11,421 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Portland State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 10% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($11,697 vs. $10,629).

Buffalo State College vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buffalo State College or Portland State University? 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 Portland State University and Buffalo State College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Portland State University (1130) is 20 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; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPortland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Portland State University students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

Buffalo State College vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buffalo State College and Portland State University? 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 Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $1,225 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($21,409 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($221 vs. $234).
• More Buffalo State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 55%)

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.