Buffalo State College vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Buffalo State College vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes ($12,023 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 1.1% lower than at Wilkes University ($15,986 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 409.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $34,963 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.3% higher at Wilkes than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $23,843 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University as at Wilkes University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 142.1% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($28,324 vs. $11,697).

Buffalo State College vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 30 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; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.72 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Buffalo State College vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $4,591 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($21,409 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($221 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.