SUNY Cortland vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; Vassar College 7:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($19,847 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 14.7% lower than at Vassar College ($15,560 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 700.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $62,156 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 278.1% higher at Vassar than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $52,246 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at State University of New York at Cortland than at Vassar College (63% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 595.9% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($57,443 vs. $8,254).

SUNY Cortland vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 330 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• SUNY Cortland has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

SUNY Cortland vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $5,720 lower median loan debt than SUNY Cortland graduates ($15,780 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Cortland graduates ($163 vs. $222).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 75%)

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.