Staten Island vs. UB

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY with University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Buffalo is larger than Staten Island based on total student enrollment (31,903 students vs. 11,033 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); University at Buffalo is in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; University at Buffalo 11:1.

Staten Island vs. UB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island or UB? 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 College of Staten Island CUNY than UB ($6,525 vs. $20,529).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Buffalo are 17.6% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($17,426 vs. $21,155).
• University at Buffalo is 46% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $3,446 more per year; $10,936.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.2% higher at UB than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $16,096 more per year; $31,536.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Staten Island CUNY than at University at Buffalo (80% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Buffalo students is 25.1% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($10,663 vs. $8,526).

Staten Island vs. UB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island or UB? 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 UB and Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Buffalo (1300) is 230 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; University at Buffalo 1210/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity at Buffalo 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Staten Island - Test optional; UB - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UB students have a 0.75 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Staten Island has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than UB (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 14.1% at UB.

Staten Island vs. UB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island and UB? 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 College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from University at Buffalo earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $5,513 lower median loan debt than UB graduates ($13,987 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UB graduates ($144 vs. $201).
• More UB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 49%)

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.