St. Cloud State University vs. Buffalo State College

Deciding between Saint Cloud State University and SUNY Buffalo State University? 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.

Saint Cloud State University
SUNY Buffalo State University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • St. Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
  • Buffalo State College Buffalo, NY
  • Setting
  • St. Cloud State University Small City
  • Buffalo State College Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • St. Cloud State University 10,732
  • Buffalo State College 6,188
  • Type
  • St. Cloud State University Public 4 Year
  • Buffalo State College Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • St. Cloud State University #704
  • Buffalo State College #545
  • Religious Affiliation
  • St. Cloud State University -
  • Buffalo State College -
  • Status
  • St. Cloud State University Non-profit
  • Buffalo State College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • St. Cloud State University
  • Buffalo State College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • St. Cloud State University $10,245
  • Buffalo State College $8,533
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • St. Cloud State University $10,245
  • Buffalo State College $19,653
  • Room & Board
  • St. Cloud State University $10,596
  • Buffalo State College $15,986
  • Average Net Price
  • St. Cloud State University $14,735
  • Buffalo State College $12,023
  • Average Grant Aid
  • St. Cloud State University $7,036
  • Buffalo State College $11,697
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • St. Cloud State University 84%
  • Buffalo State College 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • St. Cloud State University 5,976
  • Buffalo State College 18,219
  • Admitted
  • St. Cloud State University 5,665
  • Buffalo State College 13,290
  • Acceptance Rate
  • St. Cloud State University 94.8%
  • Buffalo State College 72.9%
  • Enrolled
  • St. Cloud State University 16.6%
  • Buffalo State College 9.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St. Cloud State University 1140
  • Buffalo State College 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • St. Cloud State University 21
  • Buffalo State College
  • Average High School GPA
  • St. Cloud State University 3.4
  • Buffalo State College 2.84
  • Typical High School Grades
  • St. Cloud State University B+
  • Buffalo State College B-
  • Admissions Standards
  • St. Cloud State University Moderate
  • Buffalo State College Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • St. Cloud State University
  • Buffalo State College Low
  • ACT Range
  • St. Cloud State University 17/25
  • Buffalo State College
  • SAT Range
  • St. Cloud State University 1025/1260
  • Buffalo State College 980/1240
  • Submit Test Scores
  • St. Cloud State University Test optional
  • Buffalo State College Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027
  • Buffalo State College
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • St. Cloud State University 18:1
  • Buffalo State College 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • St. Cloud State University
    • Business (27%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Buffalo State College
    • Education (26%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • St. Cloud State University 48%
  • Buffalo State College 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • St. Cloud State University $46,700
  • Buffalo State College $40,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • St. Cloud State University 67%
  • Buffalo State College 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • St. Cloud State University $22,500
  • Buffalo State College $21,409
  • Median Loan Payment
  • St. Cloud State University $232
  • Buffalo State College $221
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • St. Cloud State University 44%
  • Buffalo State College 41%
  • % Women
  • St. Cloud State University 56%
  • Buffalo State College 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • St. Cloud State University Medium
  • Buffalo State College High
  • HBCU
  • St. Cloud State University No
  • Buffalo State College No
  • % White
  • St. Cloud State University 73%
  • Buffalo State College 51%
  • % Asian
  • St. Cloud State University 6%
  • Buffalo State College 3%
  • % Black
  • St. Cloud State University 7%
  • Buffalo State College 28%
  • % Hispanic
  • St. Cloud State University 3%
  • Buffalo State College 12%
  • % Native American
  • St. Cloud State University 0%
  • Buffalo State College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • St. Cloud State University 0%
  • Buffalo State College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • St. Cloud State University 3%
  • Buffalo State College 3%
  • % International
  • St. Cloud State University 7%
  • Buffalo State College 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • St. Cloud State University 1%
  • Buffalo State College 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • St. Cloud State University 69%
  • Buffalo State College 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • St. Cloud State University 10%
  • Buffalo State College 4%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • St. Cloud State University Yes
  • Buffalo State College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • St. Cloud State University No
  • Buffalo State College No
  • Meal Plan
  • St. Cloud State University Yes
  • Buffalo State College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • St. Cloud State University Yes
  • Buffalo State College No
  • Daycare Facility
  • St. Cloud State University Yes
  • Buffalo State College Yes
  • Learn More
  • St. Cloud State University Details
  • Buffalo State College Details

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Cloud State University is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (10,732 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
  • Saint Cloud 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: Saint Cloud State University 18:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

St. Cloud State University vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Cloud State University 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 St. Cloud State University ($12,023 vs. $14,735).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 33.7% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($10,596 vs. $15,986).
  • Saint Cloud State University is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $1,712 more per year; $10,245.00 vs. $8,533.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 91.8% higher at Buffalo State College than at Saint Cloud State University (about $9,408 more per year; $19,653.00 vs. $10,245.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Saint Cloud State University (100% vs. 84%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 66.2% larger than aid received by Saint Cloud State University students ($11,697 vs. $7,036).

St. Cloud State University vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Cloud State University 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 St. Cloud State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Cloud State University (1140) is 30 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Cloud State University 1025/1260; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Cloud State University 17/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Cloud State University - Test optional; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman St. Cloud State University students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
  • St. Cloud State University has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at St. Cloud State University vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

St. Cloud State University vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Cloud State University 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).

  • Saint Cloud State University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
  • Graduates from Saint Cloud State University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $1,091 lower median loan debt than St. Cloud State University graduates ($21,409 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Cloud State University graduates ($221 vs. $232).
  • More St. Cloud State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.