SUNY Cortland vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

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

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Chatham University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; Chatham University 10:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland or Chatham? 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 Chatham ($19,847 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 12.6% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($13,600 vs. $15,560).
• Chatham University is 402.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $35,752 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.6% higher at Chatham than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $25,842 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at State University of New York at Cortland (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 264.6% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($30,095 vs. $8,254).

SUNY Cortland vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Cortland or Chatham? 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 Chatham and SUNY Cortland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 10 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Chatham students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27; Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; Chatham - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• Chatham has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

SUNY Cortland vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland and Chatham? 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 Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from State University of New York at Cortland earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than SUNY Cortland graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Cortland graduates ($211 vs. $222).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 62%)

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.