Cornell vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

Cornell vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or Buffalo State 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 Buffalo State University than Cornell ($12,023 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 17.7% lower than at Cornell University ($15,986 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 712.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $60,781 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 252.7% higher at Cornell than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $49,661 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Cornell University (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 428.2% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($61,779 vs. $11,697).

Cornell vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell or Buffalo State 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 Buffalo State College and Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 430 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 1.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

Cornell vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and Buffalo State 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).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $57,700 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $9,409 lower median loan debt than Buffalo State College graduates ($12,000 vs. $21,409).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $97 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buffalo State College graduates ($124 vs. $221).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 59%)

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.