University at Buffalo vs SUNY Polytechnic Institute: which has better ROI?
SUNY Polytechnic Institute has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $56,656 in 3.5 years versus 3.7 years at University at Buffalo, on median earnings of $64,355 vs $70,814 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University at Buffalo | SUNY Polytechnic Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,995 | $14,164 |
| Total net cost | $83,980 | $56,656 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $70,814 | $64,355 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $17,250 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $365,100 | $263,244 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University at Buffalo or SUNY Polytechnic Institute?
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, at $14,164 a year after aid versus $20,995 — a gap of $6,831 a year, or $27,324 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 Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
University at Buffalo graduates report a median $70,814 ten years after entry, $6,459 more than the $64,355 at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. 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 Polytechnic Institute?
SUNY Polytechnic Institute: its completers carry a median $17,250 in federal loans versus $19,000 at University at Buffalo, a difference of $1,750. 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 55% at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. 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.