Admit rate has ranged 61%–70% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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.
The University at Buffalo (UB) is a sprawling, high-energy public research university that punches above its weight academically while keeping costs manageable. With 140+ majors, a 73% graduation rate, and a student body that thrives on its 500+ clubs and Division I sports, UB offers big-school resources with a surprisingly tight-knit feel—all set against the backdrop of Buffalo's gritty renaissance.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
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
20,112
In-state tuition
$10,936
Out-of-state tuition
$31,536
Campus Clubs
500+
Acceptance Rate
57-74%
Graduation Rate
73%
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
$53,742
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$70,814
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.4×
Median debt at graduation
$19,000
Graduation rate
75%
First-year retention
85%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
68%
Pell (lower-income) share
59%
First-generation share
28%
Endowment / student
$52,679
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions$70,456
Computer Engineering$67,101
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$66,681
Computer Science$61,020
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$59,485
Industrial Engineering
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
7
Per 1,000 students
0.35
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
92
Summer high
78°F
Winter low
23°F
Annual rain
45.8"
Annual snow
45.2"
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 University at Buffalo?
University at Buffalo's acceptance rate is approximately 74% (Buffalo, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University at Buffalo?
Admitted students at University at Buffalo typically score 1210–1380 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University at Buffalo cost?
At University at Buffalo, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,995 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University at Buffalo?
University at Buffalo enrolls approximately 20,112 undergraduate students.
Where is University at Buffalo located?
University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, NY.
Admissions
UB's admissions process is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. fluctuating between 57-74% in recent years. Test scores are optional—a policy that reflects SUNY's broader accessibility mission. The middle 50% of admitted students typically post ACT scores between 25-30, though the university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. over strict cutoffs. Notably, 59% of enrolled students receive some form of grant aid, making UB a relatively accessible option among research universities.
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.
$59,350
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$57,860
Civil Engineering$56,810
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.
Academics
UB's academic portfolio is staggering in scope—the largest in the SUNY system—with 140+ majors, 70+ minors, and 300+ graduate programs. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio belies the university's size, with 35.4% of classes under 20 students. Standouts include:
Combined degree programs that fast-track students into graduate studies
Research opportunities amplified by UB's R1 status
Professional schools in management, engineering, and health sciences that feed directly into regional industries
Reddit threads praise the 'great courses in almost any field,' though some note introductory lectures can feel impersonal.
UB's campus thrums with activity—500+ student organizations, Division I athletics (go Bulls!), and a constant rotation of concerts and speakers. The vibe is 'very lively' (per Reddit) but not overwhelming, with niche communities for everything from quidditch to quantum computing. Key features:
Residential colleges that cluster students by academic interests
Late-night programming like movies and stress-relief puppies during finals
Buffalo itself, where students take advantage of revitalized neighborhoods and Lake Erie winters
YouTube channels run by Student Life showcase everything from DIY craft nights to massive pep rallies.
UB graduates enter the workforce with strong ROI—73% graduate within six years (topping SUNY averages), and median earnings hit $53,742 within that timeframe. The School of Management reports particularly strong placement, with MBA graduates seeing 90%+ employment rates. Notably:
53% of alumni outearn peers from similar institutions within five years
Healthcare and tech dominate hiring, fueled by Buffalo's medical corridor and Tesla's Gigafactory
Co-op programs in engineering and business give students 2:1 interview-to-offer ratios
UB delivers elite research credentials at public-school prices—57% of students receive aid, with average packages covering ~60% of the $20,511 Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.. The financial calculus breaks down as:
UB merges SUNY affordability with Big Ten-scale opportunities—a rare combo where undergrads can research superconductors by day and crowd-surf at hockey games by night. Its secret sauce? Strategic pragmatism:
No-frills excellence: Top-40 public university rankings without the country-club amenities
Buffalo's rebirth: Students tap into a city transforming its Rust Belt roots into a hub for medicine and advanced manufacturing
The 'Mighty Iroquois' spirit: A scrappy, communal pride that turns 30,000 students into a herd that 'charges forward together' (as the fight song goes)
University at Buffalo logo · sourceUniversity at Buffalo - North Campus - Visit Buffalo · sourceAbout the University - School of Nursing - University at Buffalo · sourceAbout the University - University Advancement - University at Buffalo · source
