SUNY Cortland vs. Alvernia University

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY with Alvernia University in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,796 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Alvernia University is in Reading, PA (Small City setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; Alvernia University 14:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. Alvernia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland or Alvernia 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 State University of New York at Cortland than Alvernia University ($19,847 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alvernia University are 0.6% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($15,460 vs. $15,560).
• Alvernia University is 407.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $36,126 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.6% higher at Alvernia University than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $26,216 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alvernia University than at State University of New York at Cortland (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 251.8% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($29,034 vs. $8,254).

SUNY Cortland vs. Alvernia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Cortland or Alvernia 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 Alvernia University and SUNY Cortland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alvernia University (1190) is 20 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; Alvernia University 1093/1286.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; Alvernia University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Alvernia University (3.41).
• SUNY Cortland has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 13.3% at Alvernia University.

SUNY Cortland vs. Alvernia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland and Alvernia 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Alvernia University's (53%).
• Graduates from State University of New York at Cortland earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Alvernia University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Alvernia University graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alvernia University graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 61%)

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.