Buffalo State College vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 6,188 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Buffalo State College vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or WVU? 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 WVU ($12,023 vs. $15,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 8.8% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($14,582 vs. $15,986).
• West Virginia University is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $1,571 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.6% higher at WVU than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $8,955 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at West Virginia University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 5.7% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($12,363 vs. $11,697).

Buffalo State College vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buffalo State College or WVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WVU and Buffalo State College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 10 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresWest Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman WVU students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Buffalo State College vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buffalo State College and WVU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $2,592 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($21,409 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($221 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.