Fitchburg State vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State ($12,023 vs. $15,340).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 3.3% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($15,452 vs. $15,986).
• Fitchburg State University is 33% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $2,813 more per year; $11,346.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at Buffalo State College than at Fitchburg State University (about $2,227 more per year; $19,653.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Fitchburg State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($11,697 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 40 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

Fitchburg State vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State 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).

• The graduation rate at Fitchburg State is the same as at SUNY Buffalo State University (47% vs. 47%).
• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $1,276 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($21,409 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($221 vs. $234).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.