SUNY-Potsdam vs. Empire State University

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College at Potsdam in Potsdam, NY with Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Empire State University is larger than SUNY-Potsdam based on total student enrollment (10,469 students vs. 2,832 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College at Potsdam is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Empire State University is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• SUNY College at Potsdam is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Empire State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College at Potsdam 11:1; Empire State University 17:1.

SUNY-Potsdam vs. Empire State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-Potsdam or Empire State University? 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 Empire State University than SUNY-Potsdam ($11,659 vs. $13,730).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Empire State University are 6.9% lower than at SUNY College at Potsdam ($14,230 vs. $15,280).
• SUNY College at Potsdam is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $1,120 more per year; $8,768.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at SUNY-Potsdam than at Empire State University (about $1,120 more per year; $18,678.00 vs. $17,558.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College at Potsdam than at Empire State University (93% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY College at Potsdam students is 35.2% larger than aid received by Empire State University students ($11,147 vs. $8,243).

SUNY-Potsdam vs. Empire State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY-Potsdam or Empire State University? 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 Empire State University and SUNY-Potsdam.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-Potsdam - Test optional; Empire State University - Not reported.

SUNY-Potsdam vs. Empire State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-Potsdam and Empire State University? 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 College at Potsdam's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Empire State University's (19%).
• Graduates from Empire State University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than SUNY-Potsdam graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Empire State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than SUNY-Potsdam graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Empire State University graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY-Potsdam graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More SUNY-Potsdam graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Empire State University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 44%)

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.