Buffalo State College vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington ($12,023 vs. $19,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State New Kensington are 4.5% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($15,274 vs. $15,986).
• Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington 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 New Kensington (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 49.8% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($11,697 vs. $7,809).

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (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 New Kensington 1110/1265.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Penn State New Kensington - Test optional.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• SUNY Buffalo State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington 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 New Kensington graduates ($221 vs. $277).
• More Penn State New Kensington 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.