Purchase College vs SUNY New Paltz

SUNY at Purchase College and State University of New York at New Paltz, both esteemed institutions within the SUNY system, offer distinct educational experiences. Purchase College, with its lower acceptance rate of 49%, fosters a more selective academic environment, while New Paltz welcomes a broader range of students with an acceptance rate of 63%. In terms of academic offerings, Purchase College emphasizes the arts, with popular majors including Film, Visual and Performing Arts, and Design, while New Paltz excels in the liberal arts and sciences, with strong programs in Biology, Psychology, and Business. The student bodies at the two colleges also differ, with Purchase College boasting a more diverse population and New Paltz having a slightly larger undergraduate enrollment. Finally, New Paltz outshines Purchase College in terms of graduation rates, with 68% of its students completing their degrees within six years compared to Purchase College's 60%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional SUNY
State University of New York at New Paltz logo

State University of New York at New Paltz

SUNY at Purchase College logo

SUNY at Purchase College

Overview

Location New Paltz, New York Purchase, New York
Campus setting Suburb: Large Suburb: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 82.0% 79.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 46.1% 75.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $85
SAT range 1150 - 1318 1120 - 1320
ACT range 24 - 30 27 - 31
Students submitting SAT score 18.0% 12.0%
Students submitting ACT score 4.0% 2.0%
Total number of applicants 12,482 4,047
Total number of admissions given out 5,759 3,052
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,133 680
Yield rate 19.7% 22.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $27,387

Out of state: $37,297
In state: $28,661

Out of state: $38,571
Average net price $15,318 $19,458
Tuition
In state: $7,070

Out of state: $16,980
In state: $7,070

Out of state: $16,980
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $9,494

Meal plan: $5,000
Room/dormitory: $9,098

Meal plan: $5,450
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

64.0%
Average amount $10,509
76.0%
Average amount $8,868
Students receiving federal student loan 50.0%
Average amount $5,206
40.0%
Average amount $5,040
Students taking out private loans 4.0%
Average amount $13,431
3.0%
Average amount $12,471

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 6,256
Men 36.5% Women 63.5%
3,439
Men 41.1% Women 58.9%
Graduate students 819
Men 31.5% Women 68.5%
83
Men 51.8% Women 48.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students 2.8% 16.2%
International students 2.3% 1.9%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 3,198 2,270
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from New York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania Mississippi New York New Jersey Connecticut Florida Mississippi

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Business
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Liberal Arts
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Social Sciences
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 15:1 13:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 73.3% 63.5%
Dropout rate 5.4% 12.0%
Transferred out 20.3% 23.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,136
  • Year 2: $68,219
  • Year 3: $77,593
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,207
  • Year 2: $51,607
  • Year 3: $70,694
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,261
  • Year 2: $58,221
  • Year 3: $68,967
Education, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $56,776
  • Year 3: $64,432
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,173
  • Year 2: $56,979
  • Year 3: $60,594
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,780
  • Year 2: $59,688
  • Year 3: $60,283
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,434
  • Year 2: $57,899
  • Year 3: $59,895
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,718
  • Year 2: $43,128
  • Year 3: $55,591
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,748
  • Year 2: $45,794
  • Year 3: $53,954
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,928
  • Year 2: $39,508
  • Year 3: $53,925
Mathematics and Statistics, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $48,041
  • Year 3: $52,996
Visual and Performing Arts, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,399
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $50,881
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,852
  • Year 2: $28,236
  • Year 3: $41,970
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $23,844
  • Year 2: $23,693
  • Year 3: $41,354
Journalism (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,684
  • Year 2: $30,305
  • Year 3: $37,885
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,288
  • Year 2: $26,482
  • Year 3: $36,161
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $23,080
  • Year 2: $30,047
  • Year 3: $33,268
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,859
  • Year 2: $30,475
  • Year 3: $32,388
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $24,933
  • Year 2: $26,933
  • Year 3: $31,949
Literature (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $20,339
  • Year 2: $21,234
  • Year 3: $30,297

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the main differences between SUNY Purchase and SUNY New Paltz?

    SUNY Purchase is known for its strong focus on arts and liberal arts, with a conservatory-style approach to arts education. It's located in a suburban setting and has a smaller, more intimate campus. SUNY New Paltz, while also strong in the arts and liberal arts, offers a broader range of programs, including engineering and business. It's situated in a vibrant college town and has a larger student population.

  • Which school is better for students interested in the arts?

    Both schools offer excellent arts programs, but SUNY Purchase is particularly renowned for its conservatory programs in music, dance, theater, and visual arts. If you're seeking an immersive, highly specialized arts education, Purchase might be a better fit. New Paltz also has strong arts programs, but they are integrated within a broader liberal arts curriculum.

  • How do the campuses differ in terms of location and atmosphere?

    SUNY Purchase is located in Purchase, NY, a suburban area in Westchester County. The campus has a more secluded and artistic feel. SUNY New Paltz is located in New Paltz, NY, a lively college town in the Hudson Valley. The campus is more integrated with the surrounding community and offers a more traditional college town experience.

  • What is the typical class size at each school?

    SUNY Purchase generally has smaller class sizes, fostering a more intimate learning environment. You can expect many classes to have fewer than 20 students. SUNY New Paltz has a mix of class sizes, with some larger introductory courses and smaller upper-level classes. The average class size tends to be slightly larger than at Purchase.

  • Which school is more affordable?

    Tuition and fees at SUNY schools are generally comparable for in-state students. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like housing and personal expenses. It's best to check the official websites of both SUNY Purchase and SUNY New Paltz for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information and to compare financial aid packages.

  • What types of academic programs are offered at each school?

    SUNY Purchase excels in visual and performing arts, liberal arts, and humanities. Popular programs include music, dance, theater, film, and creative writing. SUNY New Paltz offers a wider range of programs, including business, education, engineering, and sciences, in addition to strong arts and humanities offerings.

  • How do the student populations compare?

    SUNY Purchase has a smaller student body, creating a close-knit community. SUNY New Paltz has a larger and more diverse student population, offering a broader range of perspectives and experiences.

  • What are the housing options like at each school?

    Both SUNY Purchase and SUNY New Paltz offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional dormitories, suites, and apartments. Purchase is known for its unique and architecturally interesting dorms. New Paltz also has a range of housing options, with some offering views of the Shawangunk Ridge.

  • What kind of extracurricular activities are available?

    Both schools offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, organizations, sports, and volunteer opportunities. SUNY Purchase has a strong focus on arts-related clubs and performance groups. SUNY New Paltz offers a broader range of activities, including academic clubs, sports teams, and student government.

  • Which school is better for students interested in a specific career path?

    This depends on your career goals. If you're pursuing a career in the arts, SUNY Purchase's conservatory programs may provide a direct path. If you're interested in business, engineering, or education, SUNY New Paltz offers more specialized programs in those fields. Research the specific programs offered at each school and consider which aligns best with your career aspirations.

  • How do the graduation rates compare between SUNY Purchase and SUNY New Paltz?

    Graduation rates can vary from year to year. It's best to consult the official websites of SUNY Purchase and SUNY New Paltz, as well as resources like the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, for the most up-to-date graduation rate data. Consider factors like student demographics and program offerings when interpreting graduation rate statistics.

  • What is the surrounding area like for each college?

    SUNY Purchase is located in a suburban area with access to cultural attractions in nearby White Plains and New York City. SUNY New Paltz is located in a vibrant college town with a thriving arts and music scene, as well as access to outdoor recreation in the Shawangunk Mountains.

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