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SUNY Buffalo State University

Buffalo State University

Buffalo, New York 14222

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

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UrbanGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

SUNY Buffalo State University is a public urban institution in Buffalo, New York. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1080.

A mid-sized campus of 5.4K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

36% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $52,334 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,229.

Established
1846
Motto
Mens sana in corpore sano
Mascot
Victor E. Bull
Type
Public research university center
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

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76%Acceptance
1080SAT Avg
5,358Students
13:1Student:Faculty
36%Grad Rate
$52,334Earnings 10yr
$14,229Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate75.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1080

Reading & WritingMid: 515
480600
MathMid: 530
480590

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Financial Aid

Pell Grant eligible
53%
First-generation
34%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,486
Tuition (out-of-state)$18,906
Room & Board$16,716
Books & Supplies$1,052
Total Cost of Attendance$23,171
Average Net Price$14,229
Median Debt at Graduation$21,028
Monthly Payment (10yr)$223

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,684
$30–48K$12,992
$48–75K$17,379
$75–110K$18,478
$110K+$21,201

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

47.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.9%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

39

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

10

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

11

Drug Arrests

8

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Student-faculty ratio
13:1

Programs (138)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

55%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
5,358
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
34%
Pell Grant Recipients
53%

Race & Ethnicity

White 45%
Black 30%
Hispanic 13%
Asian 7%
Two+ 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate36.0%
Freshman Retention54.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$40,877
10 Years$52,334

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#75
vs 2024
Forbes
#134
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#129
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Buffalo Bulls

Varsity rowingPoint trophyBasketballBasketball rankedCollege basketballBasketball rises

History & Fun Facts

  • "University of Western New-York" was chartered by the state on April 8, 1836.
  • James Platt White was instrumental in obtaining a charter for the university from the state legislature in 1846.
  • He also taught the first class of 89 men in obstetrics.
  • The doors first opened to students in 1847 and after associating with a hospital for teaching purposes, the first class of students graduated the medical school in July 1847.
  • Fillmore served as the school's first chancellor, a position he held until 1874, even as he served in other capacities during that time, including Comptroller of New York, U.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

160Very High

Estimated from NY state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Pittsburghpop. 300K
182 mi(315 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
282 mi(489 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
294 mi(510 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BUF Buffalo Niagara8 mi
ROC Rochester62 mi
SYR Syracuse Hancock141 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA399 mi · ~11h 32m drive
New York, NY294 mi · ~8h 30m drive
Hartford, CT327 mi · ~9h 27m drive
Providence, RI389 mi · ~11h 14m drive
Albany, NY261 mi · ~7h 32m drive
Syracuse, NY138 mi · ~3h 59m drive
Rochester, NY66 mi · ~1h 54m drive
Buffalo, NY3 mi · ~5 min drive
Philadelphia, PA282 mi · ~8h 9m drive
Pittsburgh, PA182 mi · ~5h 15m drive
Harrisburg, PA211 mi · ~6h 6m drive
Newark, NJ286 mi · ~8h 16m drive
Trenton, NJ285 mi · ~8h 14m drive
Central (cold winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

SUNY Buffalo State University Application Checklist

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