University at Buffalo vs CUNY Brooklyn College
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University at Buffalo and CUNY Brooklyn College are closely matched on financial return. University at Buffalo scores 83/100 while CUNY Brooklyn College scores 81/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, CUNY Brooklyn College comes in at $3,103 per year (net price after aid) versus $20,995 at University at Buffalo - a difference of $17,892 annually, or roughly $71,568 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University at Buffalo graduates earn a median of $70,814 compared to $60,752 at CUNY Brooklyn College. The payback period is 6.3 years at University at Buffalo versus 5.9 years at CUNY Brooklyn College.
Graduates leave CUNY Brooklyn College with a median $11,000 in debt versus $19,000 at University at Buffalo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.41 and 0.30 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University at Buffalo | CUNY Brooklyn College |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $10,936 | $7,452 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $31,536 | $15,402 |
| Net Price (avg) | $20,995 | $3,103 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $83,980 | $12,412 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,100 | $36,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $70,814 | $60,752 |
| Graduation Rate | 75.2% | 53.9% |
| Payback Period | 6.3 yr | 5.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,000 | $11,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $201 | $117 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.41 | 0.30 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 75.1% | 63.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.0% | 57.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 74.2% | 58.4% |
| Enrollment | 20,112 | 10,543 |
| SAT Range | 1210-1380 | 950-1340 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University at Buffal... | CUNY Brooklyn Colleg... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $14,668 | $1,029 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $16,585 | $2,287 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $21,262 | $6,193 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,117 | $8,917 |
| $110,001+ | $28,079 | $12,254 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University at Buffal... | CUNY Brooklyn Colleg... |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | $92,314 | $64,103 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,903 | $61,323 |
| Chemistry | $68,413 | $34,239 |
| Sociology | $54,382 | $65,606 |
| Mathematics | $60,882 | $63,610 |
| International Relations | $58,292 | $63,184 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $62,912 | $57,024 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $57,360 | $50,821 |
| Biology | $57,298 | $53,786 |
| English Language and Literature | $51,385 | $54,014 |
| Psychology | $52,303 | $52,742 |
| History | $50,518 | $44,416 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $45,677 | $41,233 |
| Anthropology | $44,274 | $33,127 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $43,285 | $44,032 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University at Buffal... | CUNY Brooklyn Colleg... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 84 | 100 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 89 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 86 | 95 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 85 | 47 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 55 | 23 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 81 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University at Buffalo edges out CUNY Brooklyn College by 2 points (83 vs 81), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University at Buffalo
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
CUNY Brooklyn College
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.