University of South Alabama vs. Buffalo State College

Should I go to University of South Alabama or SUNY College at Buffalo? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of South Alabama or Buffalo State College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of South Alabama vs. SUNY College at Buffalo comparison
University of South Alabama SUNY College at Buffalo College 3 College 4
University of South Alabama SUNY College at Buffalo
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Overview

University of South Alabama Buffalo State College
Location Mobile, AL Buffalo, NY
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 13,768 6,470
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #750 #609
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu buffalostate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama Buffalo State College
Tuition (In State) $8,976 $7,070
Tuition (Out of State) $17,952 $17,490
Room & Board $8,830 $16,716
Avg Net Price $13,613 $13,735
Avg Grant Aid $8,500 $8,921
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 88%

Admission

University of South Alabama Buffalo State College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,593 15,943
Admitted 8,247 12,096
Acceptance Rate 65.5% 75.9%
Enrolled % 23.3% 12%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 2.84
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 1015/1200 960/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2026

Academics

University of South Alabama Buffalo State College
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama Buffalo State College
Graduation Rate 39% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $40,700
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $21,409
Median Loan Payment $253 $221

Diversity

University of South Alabama Buffalo State College
% Men 7% 4%
% Women 28% 10%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 51%
% Black 24% 28%
% Hispanic 3% 12%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

University of South Alabama Buffalo State College
% In-State 73% 94%
% Out-of-State 26% 3%

Campus

University of South Alabama Buffalo State College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (13,768 students vs. 6,470 students)

University of South Alabama vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or Buffalo State College?

  • University of South Alabama is 27% more expensive to attend than Buffalo State College for in-state tuition ($8,976.00 vs. $7,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.6% higher at University of South Alabama than SUNY College at Buffalo ($17,952.00 vs. $17,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Alabama than Buffalo State College ($13,613 vs. $13,735)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 89.3% lower than costs at SUNY College at Buffalo ($8,830 vs. $16,716)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Alabama than SUNY College at Buffalo (94% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY College at Buffalo students is 5% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($8,921 vs. $8,500)

University of South Alabama vs. Buffalo State College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama or Buffalo State College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Buffalo State College or University of South Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Alabama (1045) is 144 points higher than at Buffalo State College (901)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Buffalo State College (19)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.85 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84)
  • Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (75.9%) than University of South Alabama (65.5%)

University of South Alabama vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama or Buffalo State College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Buffalo State College and University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at Buffalo State College is higher than University of South Alabama (47% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $4,500 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $40,700)
  • SUNY College at Buffalo students graduate with a $3,091 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($21,409 vs. $24,500)
  • Buffalo State College graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($221 vs. $253)
  • More Buffalo State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/