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Is SUNY Buffalo State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for SUNY Buffalo State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
SUNY Buffalo State sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $52,334 helps, but median debt of $21,028 plus yearly net price of $11,346 creates a tighter path. For context, SUNY Buffalo State's net price is about 4% above the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$13,735
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $581 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $2,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$11,346
Median earnings 10 years out
$52,334
Median debt at graduation
$21,028
Graduation rate
35%
At SUNY Buffalo State, a typical graduate carries about $21,028 in student debt and earns roughly $52,334 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $239 per month, or 5% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
SUNY Buffalo State is a public four year school in Buffalo, NY. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
SUNY Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY
Worth-It Score: 64/100
Median net price: $11,282
Public 4-year
Empire State
Saratoga Springs, NY
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $11,676
Public 4-year
Farmingdale State
Farmingdale, NY
Worth-It Score: 71/100
Median net price: $10,867
Public 4-year
SUNY College at Potsdam
Potsdam, NY
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $13,624
Public 4-year
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY
Worth-It Score: 71/100
Median net price: $14,164
Common questions about SUNY Buffalo State
The median net price at SUNY Buffalo State is $11,346 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in New York? See the most affordable public universities in New York →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →