University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo is the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York system, a public research university spread across North and South campuses in the Buffalo–Amherst area. It enrolls more than 21,000 undergraduates and admits about 81% of roughly 45,600 applicants, with enrolled first-years posting middle-50% SAT scores of 1220–1390 and ACT scores of 27–31. Business and marketing, the social sciences, and engineering are the most popular fields, and as SUNY's flagship-tier research institution UB pairs broad program breadth — from architecture to the health sciences — with low in-state tuition that makes it one of New York's strongest public values.
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Buffalo admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Action
Buffalo offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
Buffalo is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Buffalo's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 32% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Buffalo does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Buffalo weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Buffalo's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $21,430 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Buffalo admissions
Is it hard to get into the University at Buffalo?＋
No, the University at Buffalo is not highly selective. UB admitted about 80.6% of applicants in the most recent cycle, receiving roughly 45,600 applications and enrolling around 5,150 first-year students. Most applicants with solid grades and a college-prep curriculum are competitive, though selective programs such as engineering and the early-assurance health professions tracks are harder than the overall rate suggests.
What GPA do you need to get into the University at Buffalo?＋
The University at Buffalo reports the average high school GPA of enrolled first-years as 91.6 on a 100-point scale rather than the 4.0 scale, and both academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are weighed as very important factors. Among the 32% of enrolled students who reported a class rank, 27% stood in the top tenth and 56% in the top quarter of their graduating class, so strong grades in a challenging schedule make you competitive.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for the University at Buffalo?＋
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored between 1220 and 1390 on the SAT and 27 to 31 on the ACT. A score at or above the 75th percentile (around 1390 SAT or 31 ACT) is comfortably competitive, but those are not hard cutoffs.
Is the University at Buffalo test-optional?＋
Yes, the University at Buffalo is test-optional, so you can apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. When scores are submitted they are weighed as a very important factor, so applicants who test well should consider sending them. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years who submitted scores landed between 1220 and 1390 on the SAT and 27 to 31 on the ACT.
What is the University at Buffalo's acceptance rate?＋
The University at Buffalo admitted about 80.6% of applicants in the most recent cycle, from a pool of roughly 45,600 applications, and enrolled around 5,150 first-year students. UB also offers a nonbinding Early Action plan, which lets you apply early and get a decision sooner without committing to enroll.
How much does the University at Buffalo cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees are approximately $11,036 for New York residents and $32,466 for out-of-state students. About 52% of first-years receive grant aid, the average first-year aid package is near $13,835, and UB meets roughly 53% of demonstrated financial need on average.
Can out-of-state students get into the University at Buffalo?＋
Yes, but the admit rate does differ by residency. New York residents were admitted at 80.1% (28,935 of 36,127 applicants), while out-of-state applicants were admitted at 70.5% (3,340 of 4,739). International applicants were admitted at a notably higher rate of 94.4% (4,505 of 4,771). The gap between in-state and out-of-state is real but not dramatic, so out-of-state applicants with solid credentials are still in a strong position at a school that admitted more than seven in ten of them.
What are the most popular majors at the University at Buffalo?＋
Business and marketing is the largest area at about 16% of bachelor's degrees, followed closely by the social sciences (14%) and engineering (13%). Psychology, the biological and life sciences, the health professions, and computer and information sciences round out the most popular fields at UB.
Source: University at Buffalo Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-08. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Buffalo. Banner photo by Davidhar, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).