Buffalo State College vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Buffalo State College vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Chatham? 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 Chatham ($12,023 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 14.9% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($13,600 vs. $15,986).
• Chatham University is 423% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $36,093 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.1% higher at Chatham than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $24,973 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University as at Chatham University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 157.3% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($30,095 vs. $11,697).

Buffalo State College vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 70 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; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsChatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Chatham - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 1.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

Buffalo State College vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from SUNY Buffalo State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,700 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $909 lower median loan debt than Buffalo State College graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,409).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buffalo State College graduates ($211 vs. $221).
• More Chatham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.