Pitt vs SUNY Buffalo: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus and University at Buffalo, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Pitt vs SUNY Buffalo at a glance
Pitt admits 58.1% of applicants and SUNY Buffalo 74.2% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $29,362 at Pitt and $21,775 at SUNY Buffalo. Six-year graduation rates are 85.8% and 72.8%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- Pitt admits 58.1% of applicants and SUNY Buffalo 74.2%, so Pitt is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $29,362 a year at Pitt and $21,775 at SUNY Buffalo; SUNY Buffalo costs $7,587 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $16,477 at Pitt and $15,725 at SUNY Buffalo.
- 85.8% of students graduate within six years at Pitt, against 72.8% at SUNY Buffalo.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $73,113 for Pitt and $75,679 for SUNY Buffalo; SUNY Buffalo is $2,566 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $23,000 at Pitt and $19,000 at SUNY Buffalo.
- Pitt enrolls 20,370 students (large city) and SUNY Buffalo 20,112 (large suburb).
Side by side
Pitt and SUNY Buffalo in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | Pitt | SUNY Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 58.1% | 74.2% |
| Applicants | 34,656 | 30,750 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | 1280–1460 | 1210–1380 |
| ACT middle 50% | 29–33 | 27–32 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $29,362 | $21,775 |
| Tuition, in state | $22,736 | $11,036 |
| Tuition, out of state | $43,432 | $32,466 |
| Cost of attendance | $38,719 | $31,688 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $16,477 | $15,725 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,485 | $17,036 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $19,080 | $21,440 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $28,146 | $24,611 |
| Over $110,000 | $35,864 | $28,968 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 85.8% | 72.8% |
| First-year retention | 92% | 85.2% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $73,113 | $75,679 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $23,000 | $19,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $261 | $216 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 20,370 | 20,112 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
| Location | Pittsburgh, PA | Buffalo, NY |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
Pitt reports 104 bachelor's programs and SUNY Buffalo 80; 66 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about Pitt vs SUNY Buffalo
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into Pitt or SUNY Buffalo?
Pitt is harder to get into by acceptance rate: Pitt admits 58.1% of applicants and SUNY Buffalo admits 74.2%. Middle 50% SAT scores: Pitt 1280–1460; SUNY Buffalo 1210–1380.
Which is cheaper, Pitt or SUNY Buffalo?
SUNY Buffalo has the lower average net price after grants: $29,362 a year at Pitt against $21,775 at SUNY Buffalo. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $16,477 and $15,725. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do Pitt or SUNY Buffalo graduates earn more?
SUNY Buffalo graduates earn more at the median: $73,113 ten years after entry for Pitt and $75,679 for SUNY Buffalo. Median federal debt at graduation is $23,000 and $19,000.
Which has a higher graduation rate, Pitt or SUNY Buffalo?
Pitt does: 85.8% of Pitt students graduate within six years, against 72.8% at SUNY Buffalo.
How big are Pitt and SUNY Buffalo?
Pitt has 20,370 students in Pittsburgh, PA and SUNY Buffalo has 20,112 students in Buffalo, NY.