University at Buffalo vs SUNY College at Geneseo: 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 3.8 years at SUNY College at Geneseo, on median earnings of $70,814 vs $67,316 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University at Buffalo | SUNY College at Geneseo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,995 | $18,211 |
| Total net cost | $83,980 | $72,844 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $70,814 | $67,316 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $365,100 | $306,276 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University at Buffalo or SUNY College at Geneseo?
SUNY College at Geneseo, at $18,211 a year after aid versus $20,995 — a gap of $2,784 a year, or $11,136 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 SUNY College at Geneseo graduates earn more?
University at Buffalo graduates report a median $70,814 ten years after entry, $3,498 more than the $67,316 at SUNY College at Geneseo. 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 SUNY College at Geneseo?
University at Buffalo: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $19,500 at SUNY College at Geneseo, a difference of $500. 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 71% at SUNY College at Geneseo. 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.