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State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo State University is a public institution located in Buffalo, New York. Commonly referred to as SUNY Buffalo State, Buffalo State, and Buff State, the school was founded in 1871 and is part of the SUNY system. According to the US News & World Report 2023 Best Colleges, the university ranked 34th for social mobility and 40th among top public colleges in the north.


Overview of SUNY Buffalo State


An involved community of learners, scholars, leaders, and global citizens - SUNY Buffalo State University seeks to empower all involved to succeed. The institution celebrates diversity, encouraging all involved to work together in pursuit of excellence, personal transformation, and opportunities to positively impact the world. It’s also highly dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, service, scholarship, creative activity, and cultural enrichment.

The total student population is 6,445, with 5,464 enrolled in undergraduate programs. The school also employs approximately 328 full-time and 298 part-time faculty members. The majority of these professionals focus solely on instructional efforts, although a small number of faculty members dedicate time to research and public service. The institution also maintains 31 graduate assistants, 18 of whom help with instruction and 13 of whom provide research support. Overall, the school’s student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1, which is lower than the national average. Notably, over 91 percent of classes have fewer than 40 students enrolled.

General Information


School Type Public
Campus Setting City: Large
Campus Housing Yes
Student Faculty Ratio 14:1
Graduation Rate 40%
Year Founded 1871

Student Enrollment


Total Students8,339

Undergraduate
7,309
Graduate
1,030

Undergraduate Student

Male 3,070
3,070
Female 4,239
4,239

Graduate Student

Male 433
433
Female 597
597

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Top Rankings For SUNY Buffalo State


SUNY Buffalo State Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATIONS13,313

Male 5,585
Female 7,728

ACCEPTANCE10,650

Male 4,245
Female 6,414

Acceptance Rate80%

Male 76%
Female 83%

Enrollment 1,598

Male 711
Female 887
Admissions
Application Fee $50
High School GPA Required
High School Rank Recommended
High School Transcripts Required
College Prep Courses Required
Recommendations Recommended
Formal demonstration of competencies Required
SAT/ACT Considered But Not Required
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Required
Application Deadline Rolling
Common Application Accepted May 1

SUNY Buffalo State Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


As a public university, SUNY Buffalo State University costs less than most private institutions. It also has the lowest fees of any SUNY comprehensive. The total cost of attendance, however, depends on state residency and the number of credit hours taken. Students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per semester are considered full-time; those taking fewer than 12 credit hours are enrolled part-time.

New York state residents attending the institution full-time can expect to pay $3,535 in tuition per semester. Out-of-state residents enrolled full-time, on the other hand, will pay $8,745 in tuition. SUNY Buffalo State University also charges mandatory fees of $708 per semester for full-time enrollment.

Tuition and fee rates differ for part-time students. These individuals are charged based on the number of classes taken, with in-state students paying $295 per credit hour and non-residents paying $729 per credit hour. All part-time students will owe $59 in mandatory fees per credit hour, regardless of residency.

Non-resident students taking courses in exclusively online academic programs can qualify for the university’s online tuition rates. Those enrolled full-time in distance learning classes pay $4,240 in tuition and $482 in mandatory fees. Those enrolled part-time will owe $353 in tuition and $40 in mandatory fees per credit hour.

Graduate students are also charged at different rates. For in-state students enrolled full-time, the cost of tuition per semester is $5,655. Non-residents, on the other hand, will owe $11,895 per semester. Both parties can expect to pay $424 per semester in mandatory fees. New York state residents enrolled part-time will owe $471 per credit hour, while non-residents are charged $991 per credit hour. Mandatory fees of $35 per credit hour are also assessed regardless of residency.

Prospective students must also anticipate paying for books, supplies, transportation, housing, and food. SUNY Buffalo State University does offer room and board options, but the cost varies significantly depending on the residence hall and meal plan selected. Housing costs range from $4,381 to $5,884 per semester. Meal plans cost between $445 and $3,430 per semester.

Notably, 91% of all SUNY Buffalo State University students are offered financial aid to make earning their degrees more affordable. The types of aid available include grants, scholarships, federal work study, federal loans, and the CARES Emergency Fund. Approximately 58% of full-time beginning undergraduate students enrolled at the institution required student loan aid.

Average net price Current Year
Net Price $13,400
Average Total Aid $9,597
Students Receiving Financial Aid 95%
Room & Board $13,706

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $8,428
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $18,338
  • Books and Supplies - $1,038
  • Room & Board - $13,706
  • Other - $2,750

Popular Academic Programs at SUNY Buffalo State


SUNY Buffalo State University is a diverse and inclusive institution committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. It seeks to be known as a caring and rigorous academic environment where lives are transformed through education and those involved develop lifelong passions for learning. The institution also provides the academic foundation for leaders in all fields. Those enrolled are prepared to fill various professional roles through unique programs, research, internships, field study, and service-learning. Students can choose from over 79 undergraduate majors and 46 graduate programs offered in 35 different academic departments.

All options fall under one of the following three academic schools:

  • School of Arts and Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of the Professions

It’s also worth noting that SUNY Buffalo State University offers online learning opportunities. There are hundreds of remote classes available, all of which offer flexibility, convenience, and direct access to faculty.

According to data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the retention rate for first-time, undergraduate freshmen who began their studies at SUNY Buffalo State University in 2021 was 49% for full-time students and 30% for part-time students. Notably, the national average is 68%. Overall, this indicates that a slight majority of students enrolled at the university chose not to return in 2022, though the transfer-out rate may indicate that this school helped students make more specific plans for their education.

The overall graduation rate for students who began their studies in fall 2016 was 36%, with a 40% transfer-out rate. This means that about a third of students were able to complete their academic requirements within 150% of normal time, which is six years. Only 24% of students who began pursuing bachelor’s degrees in 2016 were able to graduate within four years.

SUNY Buffalo State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which is recognized by the US Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. It is also accredited by the Board of Regents of New York State, University of the State of New York. Additionally, many professional organizations have determined that SUNY Buffalo State University programs meet their accreditation requirements. Notable examples include Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), American Alliance of Museums (Burchfield Penney Art Center), American Chemical Society (ACS), Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Student Population Total


Student Population 8,339

Undergraduate
7,309
Graduate
1,030
Evening Classes : No
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


All Business Majors 225 Total Graduates / 14%
Business Administration and Management, General 176 Graduates
Hospitality Administration/Management, General 49 Graduates
All Education Majors 179 Total Graduates / 11%
Elementary Education and Teaching 91 Graduates
Early Childhood Education and Teaching 21 Graduates
Special Education and Teaching, General 20 Graduates
Mathematics Teacher Education 10 Graduates
Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education 10 Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services 149 Total Graduates / 10%
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies 145 Graduates
Forensic Science and Technology 4 Graduates
All Social Sciences Majors 131 Total Graduates / 8%
Sociology, General 53 Graduates
Economics, General 40 Graduates
Political Science and Government, General 21 Graduates
Urban Studies/Affairs 5 Graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities 125 Total Graduates / 8%
General Studies 108 Graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other 17 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 48%

Outcome & Salary


SUNY Buffalo State University conducts Student Opinion Surveys on a three-year cycle. The feedback received helps the institution to assess and improve the quality of student life. Although these surveys do not provide details regarding employment and continuing education outcomes, they do offer some insight into how valuable those enrolled feel the education they are receiving is. Over 50% of participants in 2017 were satisfied or very satisfied with the institution’s contributions to their knowledge and skills needed for careers. Over 40% were satisfied or very satisfied with the institution’s contributions to their knowledge and skills needed for further academic study.

According to PayScale, graduates from SUNY Buffalo State University earn an average base salary of $83,000 per year.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $48,000
College Grads Average Salary $58,000
College Grads Mid Career Salary $81,900
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $580,000
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $1,399,000
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $53,600
10 Year Projected ROI $526,400
20 Year Projected ROI $1,345,400
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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