Buffalo State College vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY with University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Buffalo State College vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or UWM? 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 UWM ($12,023 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 26.9% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($11,684 vs. $15,986).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $1,865 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at UWM than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $2,745 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 84.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($11,697 vs. $6,347).

Buffalo State College vs. UWM Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UWM students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 23.8% at UWM.

Buffalo State College vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buffalo State College and UWM? 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 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $3,549 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($21,409 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($221 vs. $258).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.