SUNY-Potsdam vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College at Potsdam in Potsdam, NY with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than SUNY-Potsdam based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,832 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College at Potsdam is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY College at Potsdam is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College at Potsdam 11:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

SUNY-Potsdam vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-Potsdam or Purchase 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 College at Potsdam than Purchase College ($13,730 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY College at Potsdam are 7% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($15,280 vs. $16,436).
• SUNY at Purchase College is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-Potsdam (about $185 more per year; $8,953.00 vs. $8,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Purchase College than at SUNY College at Potsdam (about $525 more per year; $19,203.00 vs. $18,678.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College at Potsdam than at SUNY at Purchase College (93% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY College at Potsdam students is 6.9% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($11,147 vs. $10,432).

SUNY-Potsdam vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY-Potsdam or Purchase College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Purchase College and SUNY-Potsdam.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-Potsdam - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Purchase College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at SUNY-Potsdam (3.3).
• SUNY-Potsdam has a higher acceptance rate (77.7%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10% at SUNY-Potsdam vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

SUNY-Potsdam vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-Potsdam and Purchase College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• SUNY at Purchase College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than SUNY College at Potsdam's (51%).
• Graduates from SUNY at Purchase College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than SUNY-Potsdam graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than SUNY-Potsdam graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY-Potsdam graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More Purchase College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-Potsdam students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 60%)

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.