Buffalo State College vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Buffalo State College vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($12,023 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 12.4% lower than at Vassar College ($15,986 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 732.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $62,497 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 261.4% higher at Vassar than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $51,377 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Vassar College (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 391.1% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($57,443 vs. $11,697).

Buffalo State College vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 390 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 1.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Buffalo State College vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $17,700 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $5,629 lower median loan debt than Buffalo State College graduates ($15,780 vs. $21,409).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buffalo State College graduates ($163 vs. $221).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.