SUNY Buffalo State Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
SUNY Buffalo State University is a public research university in Buffalo, New York, serving roughly 5,097 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 72.95% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $52,334 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,533
- 2024 Average Net Price: $11,346 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 72.95% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 5,097 91.9% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 33.31%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 34.0%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 1.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 52.1%
- Average SAT Score: 1070
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,011
- Applicants (IPEDS): 15,943
- Room & Board: $15,986 annual estimate
SUNY Buffalo State University: what the data shows
Common questions about SUNY Buffalo State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is SUNY Buffalo State University?
SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY (ZIP 14222).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is SUNY Buffalo State University public or private?
SUNY Buffalo State University is a Public institution.
How much does SUNY Buffalo State University cost?
Published tuition: $8,533 in-state, $19,653 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $11,346.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $7,405 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,393 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,706 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,155 |
| $110,001+ | $19,332 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $34,132.
How hard is it to get into SUNY Buffalo State University?
Admission rate: 72.95%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1070.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is SUNY Buffalo State University?
Total enrollment: 5,097 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 7,011 students.
Graduate enrollment: 933 students.
About 92% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at SUNY Buffalo State University?
150%-time completion rate: 33.31%.
First-year retention: 57.7%.
What do graduates of SUNY Buffalo State University earn?
Median earnings: $40,877 six years after entry; $52,334 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,028.
55.60% of students receive Pell grants.
What is SUNY Buffalo State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (138 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (105 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (82 completions)
- General Studies (76 completions)
- Applied Psychology (60 completions)
- Information Science/Studies (55 completions)
- Curriculum and Instruction (52 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (50 completions)
- Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist (47 completions)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (40 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is SUNY Buffalo State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 72.95%; completion rate 33.31%; median earnings $52,334 at 10 years; net price $11,346. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,533
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at SUNY Buffalo State University was $8,533.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$11,346
2024 Value
In 2024 SUNY Buffalo State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $11,346.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$45,384 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$11,346 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$34,132 4-Year In-State Tuition
$78,612 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$15,986 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,052 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$25,571 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$102,284 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for SUNY Buffalo State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
55.60% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
50.10% 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 SUNY Buffalo State 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 SUNY Buffalo State 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 | $7,022 | $16,382 | $12,079 |
| 2014 | $7,347 | $16,997 | $11,899 |
| 2015 | $7,669 | $17,519 | $12,237 |
| 2016 | $7,701 | $17,551 | $12,454 |
| 2017 | $7,976 | $17,626 | $13,111 |
| 2018 | $8,210 | $17,990 | $12,766 |
| 2019 | $8,472 | $18,182 | $12,960 |
| 2020 | $8,428 | $18,338 | $13,785 |
| 2021 | $8,486 | $18,396 | $9,945 |
| 2022 | $8,486 | $18,396 | $13,972 |
| 2023 | $8,486 | $18,906 | $14,229 |
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
72.95% Acceptance Rate
15,943 Total Applicants
12,096 Students Admitted
1,456 First-Time Students Enrolled
12.04% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1070
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
SUNY Buffalo State University reported total enrollment of about 5,097 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 44% male and 56% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (45.4%), Black or African American (28.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (13.0%). About 55.60% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 34.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
91.9% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at SUNY Buffalo State University in 2024 is 5,097 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 7,011 students. Graduate enrollment is about 933 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
57.7%
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 45.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
22.80% 100% Completion Time
33.31% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 22.80% of students graduating from SUNY Buffalo State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 50% male / 50% female
- Elementary Education and Teaching: 5% male / 95% female
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 35% male / 65% 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 SUNY Buffalo State University.
Return on Investment
$21,028 Median Student Debt
$52,334 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
40.18% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1053.14% Return on Investment
4.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for SUNY Buffalo State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 87 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 138 completions
2. Elementary Education and Teaching: 105 completions
3. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 82 completions
4. General Studies: 76 completions
5. Applied Psychology: 60 completions
6. Information Science/Studies: 55 completions
7. Curriculum and Instruction: 52 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 50 completions
9. Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist: 47 completions
Most popular programs at SUNY Buffalo State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for SUNY Buffalo State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for SUNY Buffalo State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 52.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,132
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $15,967
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
SUNY Buffalo State University is a public 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 Business Administration and Management, General, Elementary Education and Teaching, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies. Enrollment is approximately 5,097 students. Student body composition includes White (45.4%), Black or African American (28.7%), Hispanic or Latino (13.0%). The admission rate is 72.95%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1070. The 150%-time completion rate is 33.31%. Approximately 55.60% of students receive Pell Grants. About 34.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Buffalo, NY 14222
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 33.31% graduation rate at SUNY Buffalo State University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 87 distinct degree programs, SUNY Buffalo State 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 SUNY Buffalo State University located?
SUNY Buffalo State University is located in Buffalo, NY.
What is SUNY Buffalo State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at SUNY Buffalo State University is 73.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 15,943 applicants and 12,096 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does SUNY Buffalo State University cost?
Reported tuition is $8,533 and average net price is $11,346 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $15,986 annually.
What is the student body demographics at SUNY Buffalo State University?
SUNY Buffalo State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 7,011 students, White (45.4%), Black or African American (28.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend SUNY Buffalo State University?
About 34.0% of students at SUNY Buffalo State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for SUNY Buffalo State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, SUNY Buffalo State University reports midpoint SAT about 1070.
What do graduates of SUNY Buffalo State University earn?
Median earnings are $40,877 six years after entry and $52,334 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at SUNY Buffalo State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 33.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do SUNY Buffalo State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,028.
Is SUNY Buffalo State University public or private?
SUNY Buffalo State University is a public institution located in Buffalo, NY.
Is SUNY Buffalo State University an HBCU?
No. SUNY Buffalo State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is SUNY Buffalo State University a tribal college?
No. SUNY Buffalo State 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.