Admit rate has ranged 76%–83% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Canisius University, a Jesuit institution in Buffalo, NY, blends accessibility (72% acceptance rate) with strong pre-professional outcomes—84% med school acceptance, $59K median earnings. Its tight-knit campus (11:1 student-faculty ratio) thrives on 100+ undergrad programs, from anthrozoology to sport management, wrapped in a value proposition where 98% of students receive aid averaging $32K.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,685
In-state tuition
$34,500
Out-of-state tuition
$34,500
Acceptance Rate
72%
Median Earnings
$59,476
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
69%
Athlete Graduation Rate
97%
Pre-Med Acceptance Rate
84%
Avg Financial Aid Package
$32,545
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$60,681
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.4×
Median debt at graduation
$24,250
Graduation rate
66%
First-year retention
73%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
71%
Pell (lower-income) share
50%
First-generation share
23%
Endowment / student
$87,457
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$59,350
Economics$46,087
Accounting and Related Services$46,087
Finance and Financial Management Services$42,961
International Business$41,565
Business Administration, Management and Operations$37,208
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
99
Summer high
77°F
Winter low
25°F
Annual rain
45.3"
Annual snow
43.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Canisius University?
Canisius University's acceptance rate is approximately 72% (Buffalo, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Canisius University cost?
At Canisius University, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,940 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Canisius University?
Canisius University enrolls approximately 1,685 undergraduate students.
Where is Canisius University located?
Canisius University is located in Buffalo, NY.
Admissions
Canisius operates with a 72% acceptance rate (consistent across sources), making it accessible yet selective enough to maintain academic standards. The middle 50% of admitted first-years typically have:
High school GPAs of 85-94%
SAT scores between 1030-1260 (1040-1220 per some sources)
ACT composites of 20-27
Early applicants enjoy an 84.2% acceptance rate, suggesting a strategic advantage for those committed early. Notably, the yield rate is just 13.1%, reflecting competitive local options like University at Buffalo. Admissions prioritize academic rigor (grades, class rank) but also weigh recommendations and extracurriculars—a Jesuit hallmark.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Communication and Media Studies$34,157
Marketing$33,565
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
The university offers 100+ undergraduate programs across BA, BS, and AA degrees, with standout strengths in:
Biology (top major, 29 graduates in recent data)
Sport and Fitness Administration (18 graduates)
Business, Education, and Health (noted for online flexibility)
A 71% graduation rate and 11:1 student-faculty ratio underscore its supportive environment. Signature academic features include:
Writing-intensive curricula (89% of programs)
Senior capstones (68% of majors)
First-year experiences to ease transitions
Pre-professional tracks shine: 84% med school acceptance and 91% dental school acceptance rates far exceed national averages, likely fueled by Jesuit-style mentorship.
With 44% of students living on campus across five residence halls, Canisius fosters tight communities. Key vibes:
Small classes enable close professor relationships (a frequent student praise point)
Jesuit ethos permeates support services, emphasizing equity and personal advocacy
D1 athletics (MAAC conference) boast a 97% athlete graduation rate—higher than the general student body
Buffalo’s rust-belt revival provides internships and gritty cultural energy, though some students note limited weekend campus activity. Instagram teasers highlight events like trivia nights and wellness workshops.
Median earnings: $59,476 (matching national 4-year college averages)
84% employed within a year post-graduation
Pre-health outcomes dazzle, with med/dental Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.double the national averages. Athletes excel academically (97% GSR), likely reflecting Jesuit discipline. Pell Grant recipients graduate at rates comparable to peers—a rarity among private colleges.
Canisius is a stealth powerhouse for pre-health careers (those 84% med school rates!) wrapped in a high-access, high-support Jesuit model. Its micro-class sizes and Buffalo location—cheap rent, thriving hospitals—let students maximize ROI. Unlike elite Jesuit peers, it welcomes B+ students but still delivers elite outcomes, especially for First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and athlete populations. The vibe? Serious academics, scrappy D1 spirit, and no pretension—a blue-collar Jesuit gem.
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