UB vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Buffalo is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (31,903 students vs. 8,238 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Buffalo 11:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

UB vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UB or Jefferson? 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 University at Buffalo than Jefferson ($20,529 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 9.1% lower than at University at Buffalo ($15,834 vs. $17,426).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 334.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UB (about $36,569 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $10,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.6% higher at Jefferson than at University at Buffalo (about $15,969 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $31,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at University at Buffalo (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 228.3% larger than aid received by University at Buffalo students ($35,007 vs. $10,663).

UB vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University at Buffalo (1300) is 50 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming UB students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University at Buffalo 1210/1380; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University at Buffalo 27/32; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UB - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UB students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than UB (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at UB vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

UB vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UB and Jefferson? 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.

• University at Buffalo's six-year graduation rate is 71%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Jefferson.
• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $64,500 more per year than UB graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than UB graduates ($12,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UB graduates ($129 vs. $201).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.