SUNY Buffalo State University
- Graduation Rate
- 35% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $52,334 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $11,346 B
- 34% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 73% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 31.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $31.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $31.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,400,728.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 28% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 35% — 39% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $31.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 77%
- Patents
- 31
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 23
- Downstream influence
Why SUNY Buffalo State University Matters
SUNY Buffalo State University is a public university in Buffalo, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,097
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Criminal Justice
Why students choose SUNY Buffalo State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 73% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 980–1240. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,346 a year after grants and scholarships — 34% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $52,334 ten years after enrolling — 28% above the typical college, against $21,028 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 33% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.20 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 5,100 students and a 73% acceptance rate, SUNY Buffalo State University is a solid choice for those seeking a welcoming environment with diverse academic options. Students here delve into a range of subjects, including Education, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Criminal Justice, and Visual & Performing Arts. This breadth of programs speaks to the varied interests of our student body and the opportunities available for exploration and growth.
Graduates from Buffalo State see an average earning of $52,334 after ten years. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability following graduation, particularly for those who actively engage with their programs and take advantage of networking opportunities. The affordability of education here is also noteworthy, with a net price of $11,346 and a significant 56% of students receiving Pell Grants. This means many students find ways to manage costs effectively, contributing to a more accessible pathway to a degree.
Looking at the financial side, students leave Buffalo State with a median debt of $21,028, which is manageable for many when considering the earnings potential. Those who thrive here tend to be individuals who appreciate a supportive community and are eager to engage with their studies. The combination of reasonable costs and solid post-graduation earnings makes this university an appealing option for students ready to take the next step in their education.
Rankings
- #12 Best Education Colleges in New York
- #13 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York
- #26 Best Communications Colleges in New York
- #35 Most Affordable Colleges in New York
- #35 Best Online Colleges in New York
- #36 Most Affordable Colleges for Communications
- #39 Most Affordable Colleges for Education
- #43 Best Biology Colleges in New York
Can I Get In?
How selective SUNY Buffalo State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into SUNY Buffalo State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Buffalo, New York, SUNY Buffalo State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,070. The graduation rate is roughly 35%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Retention Rate
- 58%
- SAT Average
- 1070
- SAT Range
- 980–1240
- Full-Time Faculty
- 52%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,132
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 12,292
- Admitted
- 10,569
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend SUNY Buffalo State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at SUNY Buffalo State University is $19,653, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,346. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,405 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,028 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,533
- Out-of-State
- $19,653
- Avg Net Price
- $11,346
- Median Debt
- $21,028
- Pell Grant Rate
- 56%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 50%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,405
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,393
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,706
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,332
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is SUNY Buffalo State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of SUNY Buffalo State University earn a median of $52,334, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,877
- 8 Years
- $46,928
- 10 Years
- $52,334
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (489)
- 26%
- 100% (489)
- 26%
- 100% (489)
- 26%
- 100% (489)
- 26%
How SUNY Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is SUNY Buffalo State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, SUNY Buffalo State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,346/year ($45,384 total). Graduates earn $52,334 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,446,112 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,400,728 (31.9× your investment). The median debt is $21,028, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 35% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $45,384
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,446,112
- Net Return
- $1,400,728
- ROI Multiple
- 31.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,346
- Median Debt
- $21,028
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does SUNY Buffalo State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
SUNY Buffalo State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.84%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.84%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 18.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $77,700
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
SUNY Buffalo State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 31 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.19%
- Top 77% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 31
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 23
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.17%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,266,841
- Investment Income
- $311,556
Top Programs
The fields SUNY Buffalo State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Education 17%
- Business & Marketing 13%
- Humanities 8%
- Criminal Justice 7%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Psychology 6%
- Communications 6%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for SUNY Buffalo State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into SUNY Buffalo State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Buffalo, New York, SUNY Buffalo State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,070. The graduation rate is roughly 35%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend SUNY Buffalo State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at SUNY Buffalo State University is $19,653, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,346. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,405 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,028 in federal student loans.
Is SUNY Buffalo State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of SUNY Buffalo State University earn a median of $52,334, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does SUNY Buffalo State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
SUNY Buffalo State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.84%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is SUNY Buffalo State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at SUNY Buffalo State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.20, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.11). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to SUNY Buffalo State University.
- Bowie State UniversityBowie, MD · Close peer38% grad $54,537 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Valdosta State UniversityValdosta, GA · Close peer42% grad $49,361 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · Close peer40% grad $47,872 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity Center, MI · Close peer51% grad $51,955 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Michigan-FlintFlint, MI · Close peer42% grad $53,230 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Texas A&M University-KingsvilleKingsville, TX · Close peer44% grad $51,450 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is SUNY Buffalo State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at SUNY Buffalo State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.20, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.11). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note