University at Buffalo is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of University at Buffalo (UB) is 67.71%. This means that 68 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitive are University at Buffalo Admissions?
- Competitive: Applicants need good academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

To secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are both mentally and physically fit for the course of study. More importantly, your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Additionally, if you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as the UB is not very strict in its admission process, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
As the acceptance rate is above 50%, you still have a chance if your GPA is not excellent. You can make up for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.
University at Buffalo Admission Requirements
UB GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at UB is 3.75. UB is highly selective.
Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
If your GPA is between 3.45 and 3.75, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.35 GPA to secure admission.
Can I Get Into UB Without SAT Or ACT?: University at Buffalo considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
University at Buffalo (UB) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
University at Buffalo Average SAT Score: 1288
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University at Buffalo is 1288 on the 1600 SAT scale.
University at Buffalo SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to well to score 1288 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1380 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. University at Buffalo allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1190, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to UB. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
University at Buffalo SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
SAT Math | 650 | 600 | 700 |
SAT Reading | 635 | 590 | 680 |
SAT Composite | 1288 | 1190 | 1380 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1190 then you are below most of the admitted students at UB and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1380 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into University at Buffalo (UB) with a 1400 SAT?
With a 1400 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University at Buffalo (UB) are good but the admission staff at UB tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
University at Buffalo (UB) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at UB is 29.
University at Buffalo ACT Competitiveness

This score makes University at Buffalo Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 29 on the ACT.
University at Buffalo ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
ACT Math | 28 | 25 | 30 |
ACT English | 28 | 23 | 32 |
ACT Composite | 29 | 25 | 32 |
Can I get into University at Buffalo with a 32 ACT?
With a 32 ACT Score, your chances of admission at University at Buffalo are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send
You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at University at Buffalo. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.
But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.
Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 29.UB Profile
Name: University at Buffalo (UB)
Accredited by: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
How much does a degree from UB Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at University at Buffalo is USD: 27603. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University at Buffalo is USD: 19592
How can I get a scholarship?
32.08% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 39.67 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to UB and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At University at Buffalo, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist UB as your choice in the form.
How much a UB Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the UB graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 70814. An average UB graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University at Buffalo. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of University at Buffalo, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of Alabama in Huntsville | University of Alabama in Huntsville, AL | 1259 | 28 |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, AZ | 1278 | 28 |
Hendrix College | Hendrix College, AR | 1246 | 27 |
Biola University | Biola University, CA | 1250 | 27 |
California Lutheran University | California Lutheran University, CA | 1258 | 28 |
University of the Pacific | University of the Pacific, CA | 1276 | 29 |
Eckerd College | Eckerd College, FL | 1238 | 27 |
Rollins College | Rollins College, FL | 1265 | 27 |
Agnes Scott College | Agnes Scott College, GA | 1276 | 28 |
Illinois Wesleyan University | Illinois Wesleyan University, IL | 1263 | 28 |

Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University at Buffalo. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for University at Buffalo, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL | 1291 | 27 |
Auburn University | Auburn University, AL | 1292 | 27 |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, AZ | 1278 | 28 |
United States Coast Guard Academy | United States Coast Guard Academy, CT | 1294 | 29 |
University of Delaware | University of Delaware, DE | 1290 | 29 |

More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University at Buffalo. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of San Francisco | University of San Francisco, CA | 1323 | 29 |
Thomas Aquinas College | Thomas Aquinas College, CA | 1328 | 30 |
University of Denver | University of Denver, CO | 1348 | 30 |
University of Connecticut | University of Connecticut, CT | 1340 | 31 |
Fairfield University | Fairfield University, CT | 1325 | 30 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Architecture
- Area Studies
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biology, General
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
Full list of All degree programs offered by University at Buffalo.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.