Rider University vs. Purchase College

Deciding between Rider University and SUNY at Purchase College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Rider University
SUNY at Purchase College

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
  • Purchase College Purchase, NY
  • Setting
  • Rider University Large Suburban
  • Purchase College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Rider University 4,003
  • Purchase College 3,333
  • Type
  • Rider University Private 4 Year
  • Purchase College Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Rider University #307
  • Purchase College #351
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Rider University -
  • Purchase College -
  • Status
  • Rider University Non-profit
  • Purchase College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Rider University
  • Purchase College

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Rider University $41,120
  • Purchase College $8,953
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Rider University $41,120
  • Purchase College $19,203
  • Room & Board
  • Rider University $17,230
  • Purchase College $16,436
  • Average Net Price
  • Rider University $26,506
  • Purchase College $18,211
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Rider University $29,294
  • Purchase College $10,432
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Rider University 100%
  • Purchase College 72%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Rider University 10,071
  • Purchase College 7,845
  • Admitted
  • Rider University 7,920
  • Purchase College 5,809
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Rider University 78.6%
  • Purchase College 74%
  • Enrolled
  • Rider University 9.1%
  • Purchase College 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rider University 1210
  • Purchase College 1280
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rider University 29
  • Purchase College 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Rider University 3.41
  • Purchase College 3.37
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Rider University B+
  • Purchase College B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Rider University Difficult
  • Purchase College Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Rider University
  • Purchase College Low
  • ACT Range
  • Rider University 27/31
  • Purchase College 27/30
  • SAT Range
  • Rider University 1100/1320
  • Purchase College 1185/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Rider University Test optional
  • Purchase College Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Rider University
  • Purchase College Jul 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Rider University 14:1
  • Purchase College 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Rider University
    • Business (34%)
    • Education (15%)
    • English and Literature (13%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Purchase College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (37%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Communication (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Rider University 63%
  • Purchase College 56%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Rider University $53,000
  • Purchase College $40,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Rider University 73%
  • Purchase College 65%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Rider University $25,750
  • Purchase College $22,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Rider University $266
  • Purchase College $232

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Rider University 41%
  • Purchase College 42%
  • % Women
  • Rider University 59%
  • Purchase College 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Rider University Medium
  • Purchase College High
  • HBCU
  • Rider University No
  • Purchase College No
  • % White
  • Rider University 62%
  • Purchase College 55%
  • % Asian
  • Rider University 5%
  • Purchase College 4%
  • % Black
  • Rider University 12%
  • Purchase College 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • Rider University 12%
  • Purchase College 18%
  • % Native American
  • Rider University 0%
  • Purchase College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Rider University 0%
  • Purchase College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Rider University 3%
  • Purchase College 5%
  • % International
  • Rider University 3%
  • Purchase College 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Rider University 2%
  • Purchase College 7%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Rider University 73%
  • Purchase College 79%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Rider University 23%
  • Purchase College 19%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Rider University Yes
  • Purchase College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Rider University No
  • Purchase College No
  • Meal Plan
  • Rider University Yes
  • Purchase College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Rider University Yes
  • Purchase College Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Rider University No
  • Purchase College Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rider University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (4,003 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rider University is located in Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Rider University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rider University 14:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Rider University vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider University or Purchase 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 at Purchase College than Rider University ($18,211 vs. $26,506).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 4.6% lower than at Rider University ($16,436 vs. $17,230).
  • Rider University is 359.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $32,167 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $8,953.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 114.1% higher at Rider University than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $21,917 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $19,203.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at SUNY at Purchase College (100% vs. 72%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 180.8% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($29,294 vs. $10,432).

Rider University vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rider University or Purchase 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 Purchase College and Rider University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 70 points higher than at Rider University (1210).
  • Incoming Rider University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 1100/1320; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 27/31; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rider University - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Rider University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
  • Rider University has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than Purchase College (74%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Rider University vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Rider University vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rider University and Purchase 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).

  • Rider University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
  • Graduates from Rider University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,000 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Rider University graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,750).
  • Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rider University graduates ($232 vs. $266).
  • More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 65%)

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.