Adelphi vs Cortland

Adelphi University and SUNY Cortland, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Adelphi, a private university in Garden City, New York, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, with a focus on the liberal arts and sciences. SUNY Cortland, a public university located in Cortland, New York, excels in teacher preparation and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Adelphi University logo

Adelphi University

SUNY Cortland logo

SUNY Cortland

Overview

Location Garden City, New York Cortland, New York
Campus setting Suburb: Large Town: Distant
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 83.0% 80.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 77.5% 60.5%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $65
SAT range 1080 - 1310 1090 - 1240
ACT range 22 - 29 22 - 27
Students submitting SAT score 28.0% 12.0%
Students submitting ACT score 4.0% 1.0%
Total number of applicants 16,084 11,420
Total number of admissions given out 12,459 6,909
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,330 1,221
Yield rate 10.7% 17.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Not required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $64,325
In state: $26,210

Out of state: $36,120
Average net price $28,261 $17,703
Tuition $40,860
In state: $7,070

Out of state: $16,980
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $11,260

Meal plan: $6,080
Room/dormitory: $8,320

Meal plan: $5,240
Available payment plans
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

94.0%
Average amount $26,701
67.0%
Average amount $8,299
Students receiving federal student loan 43.0%
Average amount $5,402
67.0%
Average amount $5,041
Students taking out private loans 11.0%
Average amount $18,300
13.0%
Average amount $12,692

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 5,251
Men 31.3% Women 68.7%
5,984
Men 43.9% Women 56.1%
Graduate students 2,269
Men 25.8% Women 74.2%
674
Men 28.3% Women 71.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students N/A 3.4%
International students 6.3% 0.4%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity 1,260 3,077
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A New York New Jersey Maryland Pennsylvania Georgia

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Psychology
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Social Sciences
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 12:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 70.9% 64.9%
Dropout rate 6.0% 5.1%
Transferred out 22.5% 29.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $111,247
  • Year 2: $111,563
  • Year 3: $126,327
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $91,066
  • Year 2: $90,625
  • Year 3: $96,377
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,189
  • Year 2: $70,296
  • Year 3: $77,012
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $59,169
  • Year 3: $73,999
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $69,518
Special Education and Teaching (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $45,770
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $69,292
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,525
  • Year 2: $56,641
  • Year 3: $67,248
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,098
  • Year 2: $59,124
  • Year 3: $67,031
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,001
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $66,900
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,853
  • Year 2: $50,231
  • Year 3: $66,745
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $77,923
  • Year 2: $77,401
  • Year 3: $83,130
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,928
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $58,583
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,555
  • Year 2: $40,768
  • Year 3: $53,893
Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,864
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $53,247
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,796
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: $52,839
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,533
  • Year 2: $48,789
  • Year 3: $52,808
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,249
  • Year 2: $48,703
  • Year 3: $51,520
Criminology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,567
  • Year 2: $32,806
  • Year 3: $50,314
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,594
  • Year 2: $44,021
  • Year 3: $49,016
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,326
  • Year 2: $38,108
  • Year 3: $48,323

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the main differences between Adelphi University and SUNY Cortland?

    Adelphi University is a private university located in Garden City, New York, offering a more personalized learning environment with smaller class sizes and a wider range of graduate programs. SUNY Cortland, a public university in Cortland, New York, is known for its strong teacher education programs, affordability, and focus on experiential learning and outdoor recreation.

  • Which school is more affordable: Adelphi University or SUNY Cortland?

    SUNY Cortland is generally more affordable, especially for New York State residents, due to its status as a public university. Adelphi University, as a private institution, typically has a higher tuition cost, although financial aid and scholarships can help offset the difference.

  • Where are Adelphi University and SUNY Cortland located?

    Adelphi University is located in Garden City, Long Island, New York, offering easy access to New York City. SUNY Cortland is situated in Cortland, New York, in the Finger Lakes region, providing a more rural and outdoorsy setting.

  • What are the academic strengths of Adelphi University?

    Adelphi University excels in programs like business, nursing, psychology, and the performing arts. It also offers a variety of graduate programs and emphasizes research opportunities for undergraduates.

  • What are the academic strengths of SUNY Cortland?

    SUNY Cortland is highly regarded for its teacher education programs, physical education, recreation, and sport management. It also has strong programs in environmental science and communication studies.

  • What is the campus environment like at Adelphi University?

    Adelphi University offers a suburban campus environment with a focus on student engagement and a strong sense of community. It's a mid-sized university, allowing for more personalized attention from faculty.

  • What is the campus environment like at SUNY Cortland?

    SUNY Cortland provides a traditional college town atmosphere with a vibrant student life. The campus is known for its friendly and welcoming environment, and its proximity to outdoor recreational opportunities.

  • What is the student-faculty ratio like at each university?

    Adelphi University generally has a lower student-faculty ratio than SUNY Cortland, allowing for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes. This is a typical characteristic of private universities.

  • Which school is better for students interested in living near a major city?

    Adelphi University is the better choice for students who want to be close to a major city. Its location in Garden City, Long Island, provides convenient access to New York City's cultural, entertainment, and career opportunities.

  • Which school is better for students interested in outdoor recreation?

    SUNY Cortland is the better option for students passionate about outdoor recreation. Its location in the Finger Lakes region offers numerous opportunities for hiking, skiing, water sports, and other outdoor activities.

  • Does Adelphi University or SUNY Cortland offer more graduate programs?

    Adelphi University generally offers a wider range of graduate programs compared to SUNY Cortland, catering to students seeking advanced degrees in various fields.

  • What are the athletic programs like at Adelphi University and SUNY Cortland?

    Adelphi University competes in NCAA Division II athletics, while SUNY Cortland competes in NCAA Division III athletics. SUNY Cortland has a strong reputation for its athletic programs, particularly in sports like lacrosse and football. Adelphi also has competitive teams across various sports.

  • How do the career services compare between Adelphi University and SUNY Cortland?

    Both Adelphi University and SUNY Cortland offer career services to help students with internships, job placement, and career development. Adelphi's proximity to New York City may provide more internship opportunities in certain fields, while SUNY Cortland's strong alumni network in education can be beneficial for aspiring teachers.

  • What kind of student typically thrives at Adelphi University?

    Adelphi University is a good fit for students who prefer a smaller, more personalized learning environment, value close relationships with faculty, and are interested in a wide range of academic programs, including graduate studies. Students who appreciate access to a major city will also find Adelphi appealing.

  • What kind of student typically thrives at SUNY Cortland?

    SUNY Cortland is well-suited for students who are looking for an affordable, public university experience with a strong sense of community. It's a great choice for students interested in teacher education, physical education, recreation, and outdoor activities. Students who enjoy a more rural setting will also appreciate SUNY Cortland.

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