University at Albany- SUNY vs. UB

Comparable Facts

Compare University at Albany in Albany, 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 University at Albany- SUNY based on total student enrollment (31,903 students vs. 17,560 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); University at Buffalo is in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Albany 16:1; University at Buffalo 11:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. UB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany than UB ($17,949 vs. $20,529).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Albany are 5.8% lower than at University at Buffalo ($16,423 vs. $17,426).
• University at Buffalo is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University at Albany- SUNY (about $70 more per year; $10,936.00 vs. $10,866.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at UB than at University at Albany (about $280 more per year; $31,536.00 vs. $31,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at University at Buffalo (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Albany students is 5.1% larger than aid received by University at Buffalo students ($11,210 vs. $10,663).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. UB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany- SUNY.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Buffalo (1300) is 80 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1220).
• Incoming UB students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at University at Albany- SUNY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 1120/1320; University at Buffalo 1210/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31; University at Buffalo 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; UB - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UB students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• UB has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than University at Albany- SUNY (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 14.1% at UB.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. UB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany's (64%).
• Graduates from University at Buffalo earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than University at Albany- SUNY graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $55,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Buffalo graduates have a $1,565 lower median loan debt than University at Albany- SUNY graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,065).
• Among borrowers, UB graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University at Albany- SUNY graduates ($201 vs. $217).
• More University at Albany- SUNY graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 70%)

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.