University at Buffalo: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

University at Buffalo is a public institution located in Buffalo, New York with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University at Buffalo admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 74%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1290 and an ACT composite around 28. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $20,995 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for University at Buffalo?

70% of enrolled students at University at Buffalo had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What does University at Buffalo weight in admissions?

University at Buffalo reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores University at Buffalo typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–32. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does University at Buffalo actually cost?

Published tuition is $10,936 for in-state students and $31,536 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,426 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $20,995 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 33% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for University at Buffalo

Will my child graduate from University at Buffalo?

These predict outcomes at University at Buffalo better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at University at Buffalo

The most popular undergraduate programs at University at Buffalo, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Biology, General. Across all programs, University at Buffalo confers roughly 2,946 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $70,223 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is University at Buffalo safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University at Buffalo disclosed 46 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 14 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at University at Buffalo?

About 34% of undergraduates at University at Buffalo live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 0% of men join a fraternity and 2% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in New York parents ask about

• Stony Brook University
  49% acceptance
• CUNY Hunter College
  54% acceptance
• CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
  48% acceptance
• CUNY Brooklyn College
  58% acceptance
• CUNY City College
  60% acceptance
• Syracuse University
  46% acceptance
• University of Rochester
  40% acceptance
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  63% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about University at Buffalo