UB vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Buffalo is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (31,903 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Buffalo 11:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

UB vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UB or SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than UB ($19,847 vs. $20,529).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 10.7% lower than at University at Buffalo ($15,560 vs. $17,426).
• University at Buffalo is 23.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $2,062 more per year; $10,936.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.9% higher at UB than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $12,752 more per year; $31,536.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Buffalo than at State University of New York at Cortland (76% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Buffalo students is 29.2% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($10,663 vs. $8,254).

UB vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UB or SUNY Cortland? 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 SUNY Cortland and UB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Buffalo (1300) is 130 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming UB students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Buffalo 1210/1380; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Buffalo 27/32; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UB - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman UB students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• UB has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at UB vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

UB vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UB and SUNY Cortland? 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).

• University at Buffalo's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from University at Buffalo earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Buffalo graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SUNY Cortland graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UB graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Cortland graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 70%)

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.