Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg ($12,023 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 9.5% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($14,474 vs. $15,986).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 87.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $7,439 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.2% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $7,305 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 26.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($11,697 vs. $9,245).

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 110 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 Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg graduates ($221 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg 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.