#416 in the world · QS 2027

University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

SUNY's largest university and a flagship of New York State, with 13 schools across three Buffalo-area campuses.

Buffalo, New York, United States Public research university Founded 1846 Official website

Acceptance rate: 81%; First-years who entered in fall 2025 (2025-26 Common Data Set)
Students: 31,652; 21,192 undergraduates
International: 17%; of students
Student–faculty: 12:1; ratio
Tuition: $35,536; 2026-27

About UB

The University at Buffalo was founded on May 11, 1846, as a private medical school, with future U.S. President Millard Fillmore among its founders, and joined the State University of New York in 1962. It is now SUNY's largest institution and one of its two flagships, with 21,192 undergraduates and 10,460 graduate students (fall 2025). It was elected to the Association of American Universities in 1989.

UB has 13 schools and colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the School of Management and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, spread over three campuses: the modern North Campus in suburban Amherst, the historic South Campus in Buffalo, and a downtown medical campus. It offers more than 600 academic programs, and 17% of its students are international, from 106 countries.

Admission is holistic and test-optional. UB admitted 36,780 of 45,637 first-year applicants for fall 2025, and it charges New York residents $7,070 a year in tuition. It suits students who want the breadth of a big research university, strong engineering, health and business schools, and low costs, and who don't mind a Buffalo winter.

Why students choose UB

U.S. News 2027 ranks UB 40th among U.S. public universities, with its undergraduate engineering program 32nd and computer science 40th among publics.

New York residents pay $7,070 in tuition for 2026-27, and UB awards more than $426 million in scholarships and financial aid each year.

The University Honors College offers the four-year Presidential Scholarship, which UB calls one of its most selective and highly valued awards.

UB ranks 20th in the U.S. for hosting international students (Institute of International Education), and 17% of its students come from 106 countries.

Admissions

First-years who entered in fall 2025 (2025-26 Common Data Set)

36,780 admitted from 45,637 applicants

ACT 27–31

2024283236

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

Admit rates by residency for fall 2025: about 80% for New York residents (28,935 of 36,127), 70% for out-of-state applicants (3,340 of 4,739) and 94% for international applicants (4,505 of 4,771).

Testing Test-optional: UB does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship consideration; applicants choose whether to be considered with scores.

Grades Average high school GPA of enrolled first-years in fall 2025 was 91.6 on a 100-point scale (CDS). Only 26.7% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores and 1.9% (97 students) ACT scores, so the ACT range rests on a small group; their middle 50% was 610-690 in reading and writing and 610-700 in math.

Typical entry requirements

Recommended high school preparation	Four years of English with substantial writing, at least three years of college-preparatory mathematics and three years of college-preparatory science (suggested, not required)
Music, theatre and dance	An audition is required for the Department of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance
English language	IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 70 Minimums for undergraduate consideration: TOEFL iBT 70 (or 4 on the new scale, MyBest accepted), IELTS Academic 6.0, Duolingo 105, PTE Academic 50, or ACT English and reading 18. IB English A grade 5, AP English Language 4, or a C in GCSE or A-level English also qualify.

Deadlines

Early Action Non-binding Next deadline · In 25 days

November 1, 2026

Nonbinding; early response, with no commitment until the May 1 enrollment deposit deadline.
Honors College priority consideration Non-binding In ~2 months

December 15, 2026

Priority date for the University Honors College and Presidential Scholarship consideration.
Regular Decision (application completion) Non-binding In ~4 months

February 1, 2027

UB continues to accept applications until capacity is reached; enrollment deposit due May 1 or 10 days after acceptance.

UB's dates page gives month and day only (Early Action November 1, Honors priority December 15, Regular Decision February 1); the years shown are for fall 2027 entry. Applications open August 1, and filing early improves your chances of the best financial aid package.

How to apply

Apply with the Common App, Coalition Application or ApplySUNY ($50 fee, waivers available). Submit a transcript or self-reported STARS record; at least one letter of recommendation is strongly recommended (up to three). SAT or ACT scores are optional. Honors College applicants apply within the Common App or Coalition, or via a supplemental application with ApplySUNY.

What admissions looks for

Your high school GPA and the overall strength of your academic coursework, the main academic factors in UB's holistic review.
Preparation in English, mathematics and science, ideally four years of English and three each of college-preparatory math and science.
Your accomplishments and potential both in and out of the classroom.
For music, theatre and dance, a successful audition.

Tips for applying to UB

1 Apply Early Action by November 1 for an early, nonbinding answer.
2 If you want the Presidential Scholarship, apply to the University Honors College by the December 15 priority date.
3 Submit a recommendation even though it is optional: UB strongly recommends at least one.
4 International applicants are automatically considered for UB's international merit scholarships during the holistic review, so there is no separate form.

What are your chances?

Costs & financial aid

2026-27 · figures in USD

New York State residents: tuition $7,070 plus fees $3,966 (2026-27; fall 2026 rate $3,535 tuition and $1,982.77 fees per semester) Tuition $11,036

+ on-campus housing and dining allowance (double room, flex 19 meal plan) $18,606 ≈ $29,642 per year

F-1/J-1 international students: tuition $29,070 plus fees $6,466 including the international student fee and SUNY health insurance (2026-27; out-of-state students: $33,036) Tuition $35,536

+ on-campus housing and dining allowance (double room, flex 19 meal plan) $18,606 ≈ $54,142 per year

Tuition On-campus housing and dining allowance (double room, Flex 19 meal plan)

Official cost of attendance $36,530

Financial aid

UB administers more than $426 million in scholarships and financial aid a year. Out-of-state students are automatically considered for the Provost Scholarship and New York students for Pride of New York Scholarships; the Presidential Scholarship comes through the Honors College. Admitted international first-years are automatically considered for merit scholarships, including the Flagship Scholarship.

$36,530 NY resident; $58,530 out-of-state; $61,030 international
Estimated total cost 2026-27: 51% (average aid package $13,142, CDS 2025-26)
Average need met, full-time undergraduates with aid: More than $426 million a year
Scholarships and financial aid administered

Academics

Academic calendar: Semesters

Engineering (School of Engineering and Applied Sciences)

Undergraduate engineering ranks 32nd among U.S. public universities in U.S. News 2027.

Computer Science and Engineering

Up six places to 40th among public universities in U.S. News 2027; UB is 22nd in the U.S. for AI readiness (AIREDEX).

Nursing (BS)

Ranked 41st among public universities and 56th nationally in U.S. News 2027.

Business (School of Management)

Undergraduate business is 61st among publics in U.S. News 2027, and the school was ranked No. 2 by Bloomberg Businessweek for MBA return on investment.

Pharmacy, dental medicine and law

UB has schools of pharmacy, dental medicine and medicine alongside SUNY's only law school.

Research

UB is a member of the Association of American Universities (since 1989) and an R1 research university.
UB alumnus Wilson Greatbatch, who earned a master's degree there in 1957, invented the implantable cardiac pacemaker.
All students can pursue research, service or experiential learning from their first year, and UB offers more than 700 study abroad programs.

Schools & faculties

College of Arts and Sciences
School of Architecture and Planning
School of Dental Medicine
Graduate School of Education
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
School of Law
School of Management
School of Nursing
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
School of Public Health and Health Professions
School of Social Work

Graduation rate

73%

First-year students who return

85%

92% of recent graduates are employed or in graduate school (UB Next survey). College Scorecard: median earnings of $70,814 ten years after entry (and $53,742 six years after entry) for federally aided students.

Student life

UB's 18 residence halls and apartment complexes house about 7,500 students, mostly on the North Campus in Amherst, which has its own lake, Lake LaSalle, and the Ellicott Complex of residence halls. About two-thirds of first-years (67%) live on campus. The Bulls compete in NCAA Division I in the Mid-American Conference. Around 31% of undergraduates are first-generation students, and 17% of students are international, giving the campus an unusually global mix for a public university.

Buffalo Bulls in NCAA Division I, Mid-American Conference
18 residence halls and apartment complexes housing about 7,500 students
Students from 106 countries
University Honors College and more than 700 study abroad programs

Housing. About two-thirds of first-years and one-third of all undergraduates live in university housing (CDS 2025-26); the housing application opens January 22.

Location

Buffalo lies in Western New York on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, at the head of the Niagara River on the Canada-U.S. border; its metro area is the second largest in New York State. UB's North Campus is in the suburban town of Amherst, the historic South Campus is in the city and is served by the northernmost Metro Rail station, and the Downtown Campus houses the Jacobs School of Medicine. UB points to Western New York's low cost of living.

Nearest airport: Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)

Notable alumni

WB
Wolf Blitzer

CNN anchor; BA in history, 1970
WG
Wilson Greatbatch

Engineer who invented the implantable pacemaker; master's degree, 1957
TT
Tom Toles

Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist for The Washington Post
IF
Ira Flatow

Science journalist and host of Science Friday; BS in engineering
MA
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo

President of Somalia 2017-2022; master's in political science
RS
Ron Silver

Tony Award-winning actor; BA in Spanish and Chinese

Frequently asked questions

What is the University at Buffalo's acceptance rate?

UB admitted 36,780 of 45,637 first-year applicants for fall 2025, about 81%.

Is UB test-optional for fall 2027?

Yes. UB does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships. Enrolled students who sent ACT scores had a middle 50% of 27-31.

When are UB's application deadlines?

Early Action is November 1 (nonbinding), Honors College priority consideration is December 15, and Regular Decision applications should be complete by February 1, although UB keeps accepting applications until it is full.

How much does UB cost?

UB's estimated total cost is $36,530 for New York residents, $58,530 for out-of-state students and $61,030 for international students, including on-campus housing and meals.

Does UB offer scholarships to international students?

Yes. Admitted international first-years are automatically considered for merit scholarships such as the Flagship Scholarship, renewable for up to four years, and can apply for the Presidential Scholarship through the Honors College.

Sources & methodology

Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.