Buffalo State College vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1; Union College 9:1.

Buffalo State College vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Union College? 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 Union College ($12,023 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 6% lower than at Union College ($15,986 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 709.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $60,506 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 251.3% higher at Union College than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $49,386 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Union College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 263.6% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($42,534 vs. $11,697).

Buffalo State College vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 290 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; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUnion College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Union College students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Buffalo State College vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Union College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $33,500 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $5,591 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($21,409 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($221 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.