UB vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Buffalo is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (31,903 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Buffalo 11:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

UB vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UB or Purchase College? 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 at Purchase College than UB ($18,211 vs. $20,529).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 5.7% lower than at University at Buffalo ($16,436 vs. $17,426).
• University at Buffalo is 22.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $1,983 more per year; $10,936.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.2% higher at UB than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $12,333 more per year; $31,536.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Buffalo than at SUNY at Purchase College (76% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Buffalo students is 2.2% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($10,663 vs. $10,432).

UB vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UB or Purchase College? 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 Purchase College and UB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Buffalo (1300) is 20 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming UB students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Buffalo 1210/1380; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Buffalo 27/32; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UB - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UB students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• UB has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at UB vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

UB vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UB and Purchase College? 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).

• University at Buffalo's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from University at Buffalo earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Buffalo graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UB graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($201 vs. $232).
• More UB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 65%)

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.