University at Buffalo vs Barnard College: which has better ROI?
Barnard College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $115,200 in 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at University at Buffalo, on median earnings of $80,516 vs $70,814 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University at Buffalo | Barnard College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,995 | $28,800 |
| Total net cost | $83,980 | $115,200 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $70,814 | $80,516 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $18,000 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $365,100 | $527,920 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University at Buffalo or Barnard College?
University at Buffalo, at $20,995 a year after aid versus $28,800 — a gap of $7,805 a year, or $31,220 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University at Buffalo or Barnard College graduates earn more?
Barnard College graduates report a median $80,516 ten years after entry, $9,702 more than the $70,814 at University at Buffalo. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University at Buffalo or Barnard College?
Barnard College: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $19,000 at University at Buffalo, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
93% of students finish at Barnard College, against 75% at University at Buffalo. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.