WSU vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

WSU vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or Buffalo State 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 Buffalo State University than WSU ($12,023 vs. $14,416).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 10.8% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($14,252 vs. $15,986).
• Wayne State University is 78% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $6,657 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63% higher at WSU than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $12,384 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 10.7% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($12,953 vs. $11,697).

WSU vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 60 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

WSU vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• SUNY Buffalo State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $849 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($21,409 vs. $22,258).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($221 vs. $230).
• More Buffalo State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 38%)

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.