University at Buffalo Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
University at Buffalo is a public research university in Buffalo, New York, with about 20,112 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 74.18% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $70,814 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,936
- 2024 Average Net Price: $20,995 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 74.18% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 20,112 93.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 75.18%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 28.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 4.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 70.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1295
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,551
- Applicants (IPEDS): 38,210
- Room & Board: $17,426 annual estimate
University at Buffalo: what the data shows
Common questions about University at Buffalo, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University at Buffalo?
University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, NY (ZIP 14260-1660).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is University at Buffalo public or private?
University at Buffalo is a Public institution.
How much does University at Buffalo cost?
Published tuition: $10,936 in-state, $31,536 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $20,995.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $14,668 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $16,585 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $21,262 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $24,117 |
| $110,001+ | $28,079 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $43,744.
How hard is it to get into University at Buffalo?
Admission rate: 74.18%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1295 and midpoint ACT 28.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University at Buffalo?
Total enrollment: 20,112 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 22,551 students.
Graduate enrollment: 11,544 students.
About 93% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University at Buffalo?
150%-time completion rate: 75.18%.
First-year retention: 85.2%.
What do graduates of University at Buffalo earn?
Median earnings: $53,742 six years after entry; $70,814 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,000.
33.13% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University at Buffalo known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (788 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (688 completions)
- Psychology, General (542 completions)
- Engineering, General (473 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (305 completions)
- Computer Science (302 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (279 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (252 completions)
- Public Health, General (248 completions)
- Social Work (237 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University at Buffalo a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 74.18%; completion rate 75.18%; median earnings $70,814 at 10 years; net price $20,995. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,936
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University at Buffalo was $10,936.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$20,995
2024 Value
In 2024 University at Buffalo had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $20,995.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$83,980 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$20,995 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$43,744 4-Year In-State Tuition
$126,144 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$17,426 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,500 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$29,862 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$119,448 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University at Buffalo.
Financial Aid by Income Level
33.13% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
39.74% 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 University at Buffalo 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 University at Buffalo 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 | $8,211 | $20,151 | $15,088 |
| 2014 | $8,870 | $22,290 | $16,293 |
| 2015 | $9,381 | $24,461 | $16,695 |
| 2016 | $9,574 | $26,814 | $17,163 |
| 2017 | $9,828 | $27,068 | $17,469 |
| 2018 | $10,099 | $27,769 | $17,090 |
| 2019 | $10,524 | $28,194 | $18,194 |
| 2020 | $10,526 | $28,196 | $19,262 |
| 2021 | $10,782 | $28,702 | $19,344 |
| 2022 | $10,782 | $28,702 | $19,592 |
| 2023 | $10,782 | $30,572 | $20,470 |
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
74.18% Acceptance Rate
38,210 Total Applicants
26,481 Students Admitted
4,271 First-Time Students Enrolled
16.13% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1295
ACT Average: 28
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
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
University at Buffalo reported total enrollment of about 20,112 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 54% male and 46% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (43.8%), Asian (18.4%), and Non-Resident Alien (11.5%). About 33.13% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 28.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
93.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University at Buffalo in 2024 is 20,112 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 22,551 students. Graduate enrollment is about 11,544 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
85.2%
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 43.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
60.23% 100% Completion Time
75.18% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 60.23% of students graduating from University at Buffalo 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: 62% male / 38% female
- Computer and Information Sciences, General: 70% male / 30% female
- Psychology, General: 25% male / 75% 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 University at Buffalo.
Return on Investment
$19,000 Median Student Debt
$70,814 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
26.83% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
743.22% Return on Investment
2.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University at Buffalo.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 194 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 788 completions
2. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 688 completions
3. Psychology, General: 542 completions
4. Engineering, General: 473 completions
5. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 305 completions
6. Computer Science: 302 completions
7. Mechanical Engineering: 279 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 252 completions
9. Public Health, General: 248 completions
Most popular programs at University at Buffalo.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University at Buffalo graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University at Buffalo from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 70.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,415
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $19,048
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University at Buffalo is a public institution located in Buffalo, NY, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 20,112 students. Student body composition includes White (43.8%), Asian (18.4%), Non-Resident Alien (11.5%). The admission rate is 74.18%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1295. The 150%-time completion rate is 75.18%. Approximately 33.13% of students receive Pell Grants. About 28.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Buffalo, NY 14260-1660
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 194 distinct degree programs, University at Buffalo 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 University at Buffalo located?
University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, NY.
What is University at Buffalo's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University at Buffalo is 74.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 38,210 applicants and 26,481 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University at Buffalo cost?
Reported tuition is $10,936 and average net price is $20,995 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $17,426 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University at Buffalo?
University at Buffalo reports undergraduate enrollment of about 22,551 students, White (43.8%), Asian (18.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University at Buffalo?
About 28.1% of students at University at Buffalo are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University at Buffalo?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University at Buffalo reports midpoint SAT about 1295 and midpoint ACT about 28.
What do graduates of University at Buffalo earn?
Median earnings are $53,742 six years after entry and $70,814 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University at Buffalo?
The 150%-time completion rate is 75.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University at Buffalo students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,000.
Is University at Buffalo public or private?
University at Buffalo is a public institution located in Buffalo, NY.
Is University at Buffalo an HBCU?
No. University at Buffalo is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University at Buffalo a tribal college?
No. University at Buffalo 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.