Key differences on Cost & aid
- 1
U. California-Santa Cruz's grants cover 30% of its full price on average, vs. 23% at University at Buffalo
Aid generosity - 2
University at Buffalo costs about $2.5K less per year on average than U. California-Santa Cruz ($27,514 vs. $29,991, all students)
Average cost, all students
Cost & aid
Cost & aid
Average cost, aid generosity, net price by family income, sticker prices, and grants.
What students pay
Grants
Sticker prices
On one scale, so the bars read against each other.
Up to $110K: the average net price per year for students receiving federal aid, 2023–24; families who didn't file the FAFSA aren't included. Above it the published data end. For your own number, use the college's net price calculator .
Family income per year $150K
- University at BuffaloLittle need-based aid above $110K
- U. California-Santa CruzPublished data end at $110K
Published (federal figure, up to $110K) EstimateBars share one scale: the largest full price.
Where need-based aid ends, merit, and published promises
| Metric | University at Buffalo | U. California-Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Need-based aid up to | Little need-based aid above $110K | Published data end at $110K |
| Merit for students without need | – | – |
| Published promise | – | – |
A college's own promise is stated for a typical family and changes yearly; where a promise and our estimate disagree, the promise wins. Merit has no income limit, so it can lower the price above the point where need-based aid ends.
Tuition guarantee & Promise program
| Metric | University at Buffalo | U. California-Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition guarantee | No | No |
| Promise program | Yes | No |
From the colleges' Common Data Sets
| Metric | University at Buffalo | U. California-Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Aid forms | – | – |
| Aid priority date or deadline | – | – |
| Need met, first-years | 58% | – |
| Average aid package, first-years | $12,293 | – |
| College grant dollars given as merit | 15% | – |
| Aid for international students | 511 students, average $9.7K | – |
Sources:IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey, 2023–24;College Scorecard, 2023–24;University at Buffalo Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2025 entrants;University at Buffalo Common Data Set 2024–25, 2023–24;College Scorecard, most recent release;Common Data Set, most recent releaseAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why