Purdue University Northwest vs SUNY Buffalo State University

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
Purdue University Northwest
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
SUNY Buffalo State University
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
Purdue University Northwest
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
Purdue University Northwest
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
70.6%
75.9%
Avg SAT Score
1,034
1,080
SAT Range (25th–75th)
920 – 1140
960 – 1190
Avg ACT Score
23
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
16 – 25
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$8,463
$14,229
Tuition (In-State)
$8,419
$8,486
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$15,620
$18,906
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
27.7%
53.3%
Federal Loan Rate
27.1%
52.9%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$48,318
$52,334
Graduation Rate
44.2%
36.2%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
67.7%
54.7%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
5,786
5,358
Undergrad Enrollment
9,413
6,171
Type
Public
Public
Setting
Suburban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

Purdue University Northwest

Academics
C
Value
A-
Admissions
C
Diversity
A

SUNY Buffalo State University

Academics
C
Value
A-
Admissions
C
Diversity
A-

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

Purdue University Northwest and SUNY Buffalo State University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Purdue University Northwest is more selective with a 70.6% acceptance rate compared to SUNY Buffalo State University's 75.9%. Average SAT scores are 1034 and 1080 respectively.

Cost: Purdue University Northwest offers a lower average net price at $8,463, which is $5,766 less than SUNY Buffalo State University ($14,229). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from SUNY Buffalo State University earn a median salary of $52,334 ten years after enrollment, which is $4,016 more than Purdue University Northwest graduates ($48,318).

Graduation: Purdue University Northwest leads with a 44.2% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 67.7% vs 54.7%.

Campus Size: Purdue University Northwest is the larger campus with 5,786 total students, while SUNY Buffalo State University has 5,358.

Bottom Line: Purdue University Northwest wins on affordability while SUNY Buffalo State University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.

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