University at Buffalo vs Maria College of Albany: which has better ROI?
University at Buffalo has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $83,980 in 3.7 years versus 3.7 years at Maria College of Albany, on median earnings of $70,814 vs $55,458 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University at Buffalo | Maria College of Albany |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,995 | $13,082 |
| Total net cost | $83,980 | $26,164 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $70,814 | $55,458 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $20,528 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $365,100 | $115,796 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University at Buffalo or Maria College of Albany?
Maria College of Albany, at $13,082 a year after aid versus $20,995 — a gap of $7,913 a year, or $57,816 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 Maria College of Albany graduates earn more?
University at Buffalo graduates report a median $70,814 ten years after entry, $15,356 more than the $55,458 at Maria College of Albany. 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 Maria College of Albany?
University at Buffalo: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $20,528 at Maria College of Albany, a difference of $1,528. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at University at Buffalo, against 30% at Maria College of Albany. 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.