UB vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

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

University at Buffalo is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (31,903 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Buffalo 11:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

UB vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UB or SUNY-ESF? 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry than UB ($19,814 vs. $20,529).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Buffalo are 3.6% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($17,426 vs. $18,080).
• University at Buffalo is 17.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $1,633 more per year; $10,936.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.7% higher at UB than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $9,273 more per year; $31,536.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at University at Buffalo (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Buffalo students is 22.6% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($10,663 vs. $8,699).

UB vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UB or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY-ESF and UB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Buffalo (1300) is 80 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming UB students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Buffalo 1210/1380; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Buffalo 27/32; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UB - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UB students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at SUNY-ESF (3.7).
• UB has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at UB vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

UB vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UB and SUNY-ESF? 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from University at Buffalo earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Buffalo graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than SUNY-ESF graduates ($19,500 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, UB graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY-ESF graduates ($201 vs. $204).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 70%)

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.