10-yr median earnings
$70,814
Federal aid recipients only
Public · Buffalo, New York
University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo is a public institution in Buffalo, New York. as a public institution, published Scorecard outcomes are the federal Title-IV cohort view of former students — not every graduate and not a guarantee for any one enrollee.
- $20,995
- Avg net price / yr
- $70,814
- 10-yr median earnings
- 74.3%
- 150%-time completion
- 74.2%
- Acceptance rate
The verdict
University at Buffalo pairs top-10% former-student earnings with a moderately open admit.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
- Top 7%
- former-student earnings, US
- 74.2%
- acceptance rate
- 74.3%
- 150%-time completion
- +32%
- earnings, 6→10 yrs
Suburb: Large
Carnegie: R1
Institution data retrieved July 2026; field-of-study data retrieved March 2026.
How to read this University at Buffalo profile
Figures above come from IPEDS institution records published through the College Scorecard (retrieved July 2026 for institution fields; March 2026 for field-of-study). Peer groups and cost cohorts follow IPEDS ownership sector, Carnegie class ("Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity"), and locale, not an editorial shortlist.
Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients. It is a defined cohort average, not a personalized price; income-band fields add context but do not replace the school's current net-price calculator.
Earnings use Treasury-linked records for federally aided former students who were working and not enrolled in the measurement year (completers and noncompleters). IPEDS completion and retention use separate first-time, full-time cohorts, so those denominators are not the earnings cohort. Read cost, completion, and earnings as distinct historical measures, not a causal verdict or individual forecast.
College Value Score
B-
College Value Score
67/100
University at Buffalo
A 6-metric composite of earnings, cost, and completion outcomes benchmarked against every reporting US college, not a ranking of teaching quality, campus life, or fit for any individual student. See the full methodology.
Earnings A+
$70,814
10-year median former-student earnings
Net Price F
$20,995
Average annual cost after grants and aid
Completion Rate B+
74.3%
Completion within 150% of normal time
Debt F
$19,000
Median federal debt at graduation
Loan Repayment B+
75.1%
Borrowers repaying loans within 3 years
Retention B+
85.2%
First-year students returning for year two
Each axis is the percentile score shown in the breakdown at left; the shape shows this school's overall profile at a glance.
Avg net price
$20,995
After grants and scholarships
150%-time completion
74.3%
Full-time, first-time cohort
150%-time completion vs portal median (57.1%) 74.3%
Four-year-institution cohort
College ROI Quadrant - University at Buffalo vs peers
Each dot is a college plotted by 10-year median earnings (x-axis) vs average net price (y-axis), colored by completion within 150% of normal time. Bottom-right = high earnings/lower price; top-left = lower earnings/higher price.
How University at Buffalo ranks nationally
Where this school's former-student earnings fall within the full national distribution of every US college that reports to the College Scorecard, not just its peer set.
University at Buffalo: former-student earnings vs. every US college
10-year median earnings, College Scorecard
$70,814 Top 7% higher than 93% of 5,103 US colleges
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US colleges. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals
| Metric | University at Buffalo | National rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $70,814 | #360 of 5103 | 93rd |
| Average net price | $20,995 | #3290 of 5020 | 34th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 74.3% | #1079 of 4858 | 78th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 20,112 | #133 of 5462 | 98th |
National ranks count every operating US college reporting each metric to the College Scorecard, separate from the earnings histogram above.
Quick Facts
20,112
Undergraduate enrollment
74.2%
Acceptance rate
1,295
SAT average
74.3%
150%-time completion
$70,814
10-yr median earnings
85.2%
First-year retention
How University at Buffalo ranks in New York
State rank among 299 reporting New York colleges with College Scorecard data, a separate lens from the national distribution above.
| Metric | University at Buffalo | State rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $70,814 | #49 of 299 | 84th |
| Average net price | $20,995 | #200 of 328 | 39th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 74.3% | #97 of 322 | 70th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 20,112 | #2 of 367 | 99th |
Highest former-student earnings in New York
| # | School | 10-yr earnings | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | $131,426 | $29,882 |
| 2 | Helene Fuld College of Nursing | $111,027 | $47,181 |
| 3 | SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University | $109,601 | - |
| 4 | Center for Allied Health Education | $107,249 | $48,150 |
| 5 | Miami Ad School-New York | $106,192 | - |
| 6 | St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens | $104,403 | $26,315 |
| 7 | Cornell University | $104,043 | $28,690 |
| 8 | Weill Medical College of Cornell University | $104,043 | - |
| 9 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $102,491 | $21,590 |
| 10 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $102,051 | $36,228 |
| 11 | Cochran School of Nursing | $99,503 | - |
| 12 | Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing | $96,980 | - |
| 49 | University at BuffaloThis school | $70,814 | $20,995 |
Admissions
| Admission Rate | 74.2% |
| SAT Average | 1,295 |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 610 – 700 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600 – 680 |
| ACT Average | 28 |
| ACT (25th-75th) | 27 – 32 |
Costs & Financial Aid
Net price by family income at University at Buffalo
Average annual net price after grants; Title IV recipient cohort by income bracket
- $0 – $30k
$0 – $30k
$14,668 net price / yr
- $30k – $48k
$30k – $48k
$16,585 net price / yr
- $48k – $75k
$48k – $75k
$21,262 net price / yr
- $110k+
$110k+
$28,079 net price / yr
What this shows Need-based aid pulls net price down at lower brackets at University at Buffalo - compare the bar for your income band, not the overall average alone.
Tuition & Net Price
| In-State Tuition | $10,936 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $31,536 |
| Average Net Price | $20,995 |
33.1%
Pell Grant Rate
39.7%
Federal Loan Rate
$19,000
Median Debt
$201/mo
Monthly Payment
What students pay at University at Buffalo rose +35.7% since 2013
Average net price for the reported Title IV-recipient cohort went from $15,088 in 2013 to $20,470 in 2023, a rise of $5,382 in nominal dollars. Across the 4,315 colleges measured over the same 2013–2023 span, the median change was +14.6%.
11 reported years. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation.
2013 · $15,0882023 · $20,470
Over the same years, enrollment went +4.7% (19,365 → 20,284 students).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, per-year fields (2013–2023). Net price is the average cost after grant and scholarship aid for federally-aided undergraduates.
Student Demographics
Race & ethnicity
Student body at a glance
42.8%
Female
28.1%
First Generation
Outcomes
85.2%
Retention Rate
$53,742
Median Earnings (6yr)
74.9%
Earning Over $25K
75.1%
Loan Repayment, Completers (3yr)
Outcomes & debt snapshot
| Measure | Cohort / horizon | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Completion within 150% of normal time | First-time, full-time | 74.3% |
| First-year retention | First-time, full-time freshmen | 85.2% |
| Median earnings | 6 years after entry | $53,742 |
| Median earnings | 10 years after entry | $70,814 |
| Share earning over $25,000 | Working, not enrolled | 74.9% |
| Loan repayment rate | Completers, 3 years after leaving | 75.1% |
| Median federal student debt | At completion | $19,000 |
| Estimated monthly payment | Standard 10-year plan | $201/mo |
Programs & Earnings
Field-of-study summary by credential
| Credential | Programs | Award count | Avg earnings | Top earnings | Avg debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 44 | 5,286 | $67,869 | $109,221 | $19,584 |
| Master's | 29 | 1,726 | $72,039 | $114,480 | $34,130 |
| Doctoral | 8 | 57 | $126,779 | $180,229 | $81,852 |
| First Professional | 4 | 520 | $130,167 | $198,110 | $157,636 |
| Graduate Certificate | 3 | 67 | - | - | - |
Top programs at University at Buffalo by completer earnings
Median earnings of program completers, College Scorecard field-of-study file
- Dentistry
Dentistry
$198,110 median earnings
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
Pharmacology and Toxicology
$180,229 median earnings
- Registered Nursing, Nursin…
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$156,779 median earnings
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical S…
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
$137,101 median earnings
- Business Administration, M…
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$114,480 median earnings
- Clinical, Counseling and A…
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
$112,025 median earnings
- Chemistry
Chemistry
$109,414 median earnings
- Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering
$109,221 median earnings
What this shows The highest-earning programs at a school are not necessarily its most popular ones - a small specialized program can post strong median earnings without reflecting the outcome most students here actually see.
| Program | Credential | Completers | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry | First Professional | 119 | $198,110 | $196,586 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | Doctoral | 4 | $180,229 | - |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Doctoral | 3 | $156,779 | $102,203 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | First Professional | 98 | $137,101 | $123,815 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's | 194 | $114,480 | $40,119 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | Doctoral | 22 | $112,025 | - |
| Chemistry | Doctoral | 12 | $109,414 | - |
| Computer Engineering | Bachelor's | 33 | $109,221 | $20,500 |
| Computer Science | Bachelor's | 269 | $105,160 | $19,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | Master's | 50 | $102,730 | - |
| Industrial Engineering | Master's | 38 | $102,080 | - |
| Medicine | First Professional | 170 | $100,331 | $215,899 |
| Accounting and Related Services | Master's | 78 | $98,554 | $16,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Master's | 37 | $96,497 | - |
| Chemical Engineering | Bachelor's | 53 | $95,424 | $21,512 |
Nearby Schools
Explore Data-Matched Colleges
Matches use Scorecard measures among reporting colleges — not state-system recommendations or geographic proximity.
Similar Enrollment and Sector
Other Public institutions closest in reported enrollment, preferring the same Carnegie classification.
Similar Reported Net Price
Other Public institutions with the nearest reported average net price.
Dakota State University
Madison, SD
$21,057 net price · $62 apart
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA
$20,927 net price · $68 apart
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT
$21,067 net price · $72 apart
Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT
$20,857 net price · $138 apart
Similar 2013–2023 Net-Price Trend
Same-sector institutions with the same direction and nearest fitted annual change; only series with R² of at least 0.40 qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University at Buffalo? ▼
University at Buffalo is a public institution in Buffalo, New York. The acceptance rate is 74.2%. The average SAT score is 1,295. Undergraduate enrollment is 20,112 students.
How much do University at Buffalo former students earn? ▼
Federally aided former students at University at Buffalo who were working and not enrolled had median earnings of $70,814 ten years after entry; the cohort is not limited to graduates. Six years after entry, the corresponding median is $53,742.
How much does University at Buffalo cost? ▼
The average net price at University at Buffalo is $20,995. In-state tuition is $10,936 and out-of-state tuition is $31,536. Median student debt at graduation is $19,000.
What is the graduation rate at University at Buffalo? ▼
University at Buffalo has a 74.3% completion rate within 150% of normal time at a four-year institution (typically six years for a bachelor’s program). The first-year retention rate is 85.2%.
Is University at Buffalo worth the student debt? ▼
The median student debt at University at Buffalo is $19,000, while former students earn a median of $70,814 ten years after enrollment. That debt represents about 27% of those annual earnings. Among borrowers who completed their program, 75.1% are repaying their loans within 3 years. Estimated monthly loan payment is $201.
Sources & methodology
Public-college profiles lean on IPEDS enrollment and Scorecard Title-IV outcomes. State appropriations are outside this page; the figures below are the federal cohort measures only.
Every number is read live from the Mar–Jul 2026 Scorecard/IPEDS retrievals. Public institutions often enroll large Title-IV cohorts, so medians can be stable — still cohort averages, never a personal forecast. Read the full methodology for how the data is sourced, computed, and verified.
- College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education - former-student earnings, cost & completion (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics - enrollment, admissions, Carnegie class & demographics (nces.ed.gov/ipeds).
- U.S. Treasury / IRS earnings linkage - median earnings 6 & 10 years after enrollment for federal-aid recipients (irs.gov).
- College Scorecard, Field of Study - program-level (credential) earnings & debt (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- Federal Student Aid (Title IV / NSLDS) - U.S. Department of Education - net price, student debt & aid-recipient repayment outcomes (studentaid.gov).
Where to go next from University at Buffalo
- Compare University at Buffalo against schools with similar outcomes at a lower average net price.Find similar schools that cost less
- Browse every reporting college in New York side by side.Browse New York
- See how fields of study differ on former-student earnings and debt.Explore programs
Public-college Scorecard figures are historical Title-IV cohort averages — confirm current tuition, aid, and admissions rules with the institution before deciding.
Every figure on PlainCollege is rendered directly from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard data, no number is typed in by an editor. Public-institution profiles compile Scorecard Title-IV earnings, IPEDS enrollment/admissions, and Treasury linkage fields — no editor-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error on this page. Review the public data changelog. Data current as of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals.