Buffalo State College vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

Buffalo State College vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia ($12,023 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 6.9% lower than at Arcadia University ($15,986 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 481.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $41,077 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.4% higher at Arcadia than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $29,957 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 196.7% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($34,705 vs. $11,697).

Buffalo State College vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buffalo State College or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and Buffalo State College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 60 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arcadia students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

Buffalo State College vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buffalo State College and Arcadia? 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $5,591 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($21,409 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($221 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.