Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Penn State Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 352 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Greater Allegheny is in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Greater Allegheny is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1; Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1.

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Greater Allegheny ($12,023 vs. $15,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Greater Allegheny are 9.5% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($14,474 vs. $15,986).
• Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students ($11,697 vs. $11,121).

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buffalo State College or Penn State Greater Allegheny? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Greater Allegheny and Buffalo State College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180) is 70 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240; Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional.
• Penn State Greater Allegheny has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buffalo State College and Penn State Greater Allegheny? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The graduation rate at Buffalo State College is the same as at Penn State Greater Allegheny (47% vs. 47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny graduates ($221 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Greater Allegheny 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.