SUNY Cortland vs. Empire State University

Comparable Facts

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

Empire State University is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (10,469 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Empire State University is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Empire State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; Empire State University 17:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. Empire State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland or Empire 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 Empire State University than SUNY Cortland ($11,659 vs. $19,847).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Empire State University are 8.5% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($14,230 vs. $15,560).
• State University of New York at Cortland is 16% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $1,226 more per year; $8,874.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at SUNY Cortland than at Empire State University (about $1,226 more per year; $18,784.00 vs. $17,558.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Empire State University than at State University of New York at Cortland (82% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Empire State University students ($8,254 vs. $8,243).

SUNY Cortland vs. Empire State University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• 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; Empire State University - Not reported.

SUNY Cortland vs. Empire State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland and Empire 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Empire State University's (19%).
• Graduates from State University of New York at Cortland earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Empire State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Empire State University graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Empire State University graduates ($222 vs. $240).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Empire State University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 44%)

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.