Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Beaver

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Beaver is in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1; Penn State Beaver 12:1.

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Beaver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Penn State Beaver? 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 Penn State Beaver ($12,023 vs. $18,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Beaver are 9.5% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($14,474 vs. $15,986).
• Penn State Beaver is 68.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $5,875 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.8% higher at Penn State Beaver than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $4,481 more per year; $24,134.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Penn State Beaver (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 29.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($11,697 vs. $9,045).

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Beaver Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Beaver (1190) is 80 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; Penn State Beaver 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Beaver 24/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Penn State Beaver - Test optional.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 9.5% at Penn State Beaver.

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Beaver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Buffalo State College is the same as at Penn State Beaver (47% vs. 47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Beaver earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $5,409 lower median loan debt than Penn State Beaver graduates ($21,409 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Beaver graduates ($221 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Beaver 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.