Canisius University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Canisius University is a private research university in Buffalo, New York, enrolling about 1,685 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 72.36% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $60,681 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $34,500
- 2024 Average Net Price: $17,940 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 72.36% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,685 97.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 66.39%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 23.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 2.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 4.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 93.0%
- Average ACT Score: 28
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,841
- Applicants (IPEDS): 4,147
- Room & Board: $13,560 annual estimate
Canisius University: what the data shows
Common questions about Canisius University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Canisius University?
Canisius University is located in Buffalo, NY (ZIP 14208-1098).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Canisius University public or private?
Canisius University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Canisius University cost?
Published tuition: $34,500.
Average net price after aid: $17,940.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $12,781 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,404 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $16,151 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $21,341 |
| $110,001+ | $24,170 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $138,000.
How hard is it to get into Canisius University?
Admission rate: 72.36%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: midpoint ACT 28.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Canisius University?
Total enrollment: 1,685 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,841 students.
Graduate enrollment: 727 students.
About 98% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Canisius University?
150%-time completion rate: 66.39%.
First-year retention: 72.6%.
What do graduates of Canisius University earn?
Median earnings: $46,089 six years after entry; $60,681 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $24,250.
32.20% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Canisius University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Animal Behavior and Ethology (54 completions)
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management (52 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (52 completions)
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (46 completions)
- Finance, General (36 completions)
- Accounting (35 completions)
- Special Education and Teaching, Other (30 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (29 completions)
- Physician Associate/Assistant (29 completions)
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General (25 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Canisius University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 72.36%; completion rate 66.39%; median earnings $60,681 at 10 years; net price $17,940. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$34,500
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Canisius University was $34,500.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$17,940
2024 Value
In 2024 Canisius University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,940.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$71,760 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$17,940 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$138,000 4-Year Tuition
$13,560 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$49,260 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$197,040 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Canisius University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
32.20% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
53.28% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Canisius University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Canisius University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $33,332 | $33,332 | $19,289 |
| 2014 | $34,000 | $34,000 | $20,026 |
| 2015 | $34,690 | $34,690 | $19,376 |
| 2016 | $35,424 | $35,424 | $20,346 |
| 2017 | $36,454 | $36,454 | $20,913 |
| 2018 | $28,488 | $28,488 | $20,103 |
| 2019 | $29,428 | $29,428 | $19,222 |
| 2020 | $30,230 | $30,230 | $18,602 |
| 2021 | $30,910 | $30,910 | $17,907 |
| 2022 | $31,800 | $31,800 | $19,208 |
| 2023 | $32,720 | $32,720 | $18,322 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
72.36% Acceptance Rate
4,147 Total Applicants
3,391 Students Admitted
424 First-Time Students Enrolled
12.50% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
ACT Average: 28
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Canisius University reported total enrollment of about 1,685 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 49% male and 51% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (63.6%), Black or African American (13.8%), and Non-Resident Alien (6.2%). About 32.20% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 23.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Canisius University in 2024 is 1,685 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,841 students. Graduate enrollment is about 727 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
72.6%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 63.6%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
58.71% 100% Completion Time
66.39% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 58.71% of students graduating from Canisius University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Animal Behavior and Ethology: 24% male / 76% female
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management: 79% male / 21% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 56% male / 44% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Canisius University.
Return on Investment
$24,250 Median Student Debt
$60,681 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
39.96% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
745.61% Return on Investment
4.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Canisius University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 67 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Animal Behavior and Ethology: 54 completions
2. Sport and Fitness Administration/Management: 52 completions
3. Business Administration and Management, General: 52 completions
4. Research and Experimental Psychology, Other: 46 completions
5. Finance, General: 36 completions
6. Accounting: 35 completions
7. Special Education and Teaching, Other: 30 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 29 completions
9. Physician Associate/Assistant: 29 completions
Most popular programs at Canisius University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Canisius University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Canisius University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 93.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,691
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,715
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Canisius University is a private non-profit institution located in Buffalo, NY, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Animal Behavior and Ethology, Sport and Fitness Administration/Management, Business Administration and Management, General. Enrollment is approximately 1,685 students. Student body composition includes White (63.6%), Black or African American (13.8%), Non-Resident Alien (6.2%). The admission rate is 72.36%. Average ACT scores for admitted students are 28. The 150%-time completion rate is 66.39%. Approximately 32.20% of students receive Pell Grants. About 23.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Buffalo, NY 14208-1098
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 67 distinct degree programs, Canisius University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Canisius University located?
Canisius University is located in Buffalo, NY.
What is Canisius University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Canisius University is 72.4% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 4,147 applicants and 3,391 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Canisius University cost?
Reported tuition is $34,500 and average net price is $17,940 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $13,560 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Canisius University?
Canisius University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,841 students, White (63.6%), Black or African American (13.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Canisius University?
About 23.1% of students at Canisius University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Canisius University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Canisius University reports midpoint ACT about 28.
What do graduates of Canisius University earn?
Median earnings are $46,089 six years after entry and $60,681 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Canisius University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 66.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Canisius University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $24,250.
Is Canisius University public or private?
Canisius University is a private nonprofit institution located in Buffalo, NY.
Is Canisius University an HBCU?
No. Canisius University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Canisius University a tribal college?
No. Canisius University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- New York college costs
- New York colleges by ROI
- Buffalo, New York city profile
- Mid East regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in New York
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.