Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Buffalo, New York
69.3% Acceptance Rate
University at Buffalo — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
69.3%Acceptance Rate
3.75Avg GPA
1298Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$29,043Annual Cost
$70,814Grad Salary
32.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
69.3%
Avg GPA
3.75
Avg SAT
1298
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1210–1380
ACT Middle 50%
27–32
Avg Net Price
$20,470
Need-Based Aid
32.3% receive Pell
The University at Buffalo (UB), founded in 1846 as a private medical school, has grown into the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, ranked #93 in National Universities by U.S. News. As a flagship institution and member of the Association of American Universities, UB offers over 140 undergraduate programs across 13 schools and colleges, with particular strengths in engineering, pharmacy, and computer science. The university's three campuses - North, South, and Downtown - span 1,350 acres and feature world-class facilities including the $375 million Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences building and the Center for Computational Research, one of the nation's most powerful supercomputing sites.
UB's research enterprise exceeds $400 million annually, with groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence, climate change, and vaccine development. The university's location in Western New York provides students with access to Buffalo's emerging tech corridor, the Niagara Falls border region, and partnerships with major employers like Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and M&T Bank. UB Bulls athletics compete in NCAA Division I, while the university's global alumni network includes Nobel laureates, astronauts, and leaders in every field. The UB Curriculum emphasizes integrative learning, with all undergraduates completing a capstone project and gaining hands-on experience through research, internships, or study abroad.
University at Buffalo Acceptance Rate
University at Buffalo is moderately selective. 69.3% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What UB Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 69.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.75 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.55 – 3.74
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.30
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University at Buffalo Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University at Buffalo follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of October 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 54 days left — Rolling
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UB reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Rolling
October 1
Early Action
November 1
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (2026/12/15 (Honors College priority)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UB GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UB is 3.75. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.45 and 3.75? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.95–4.15.UB GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.75 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.55 – 3.74
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.35 – 3.54
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.34
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No general supplemental essay for standard admission; Honors College requires a 500-word essay plus a faculty letter of recommendation.
- Honors College explicitly prohibits generative AI use in application materials and actively screens submissions with detection tools.
- Presidential Scholarship ($14,000/year, four years) available to Honors students in Art History, Fine Art, Studio Art, Music, or Musical Theatre with at least a 93% unweighted GPA.
- Current UB students/transfers apply to Honors on a separate Oct. 1/March 1 deadline cycle distinct from first-year admission.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UB
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University at Buffalo's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University at Buffalo (UB) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UB. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UB Without SAT or ACT?
UB considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University at Buffalo Average SAT Score: 1298
Admitted students at University at Buffalo average a 1298 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1298 — Slightly Competitive
A 1298 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1380 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University at Buffalo allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1210? A retake is worth it at UB. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 655 | 610 | 700 |
| SAT Reading | 640 | 600 | 680 |
| SAT Composite | 1298 | 1210 | 1380 |
A score under 1210 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1380+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into University at Buffalo (UB) with a 1400 SAT?
At 1400, your SAT is squarely in UB's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University at Buffalo (UB) ACT Requirements
UB's admitted students average an ACT of 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
UB's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 26 | 31 |
| ACT English | 29 | 25 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 27 | 32 |
Can I get into University at Buffalo with a 32 ACT?
At 32, you're in the top quarter of UB's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, UB weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UB
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UB takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Skip the general supplemental essay, but budget real time for the Honors College essay if applying there
UB requires no general supplemental essay for standard admission, but the Honors College requires a 500-word essay ("What defines an Honors scholar outside of academic achievement?") plus a faculty letter of recommendation specifically. If you're applying to Honors, treat this as a genuinely separate, substantial writing task - not an afterthought to your Common App essay.
Take UB's explicit AI-detection policy for Honors applications seriously
UB's Honors College explicitly states that any use of generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Grammarly, etc.) to draft, edit, or generate any portion of application materials is prohibited and actively checked with AI/plagiarism detection tools, with violations reported under the academic integrity policy and possible admission bar. Write and edit your Honors essay entirely yourself, and avoid even AI-assisted grammar tools, given how explicitly and specifically this is enforced here.
Target the Presidential Scholarship early if you're an arts-focused applicant
A four-year, $14,000/year Presidential Scholarship is available specifically to Honors students in Art History, Fine Art, Studio Art, Music, or Musical Theatre, requiring at least a 93% unweighted high school GPA. If you fit this specific major and GPA profile, apply to Honors with this scholarship explicitly in mind, since it's a named, funded opportunity tied to a narrow set of majors rather than a general merit award.
Note that current UB students and transfers apply to Honors on a different, later timeline than freshmen
Current UB students and transfer applicants to the Honors College apply via Oct. 1 (fall) or March 1 (spring) deadlines with at least one year of undergraduate study remaining - a separate process from first-year Honors admission, which typically closes earlier in the cycle. If you're not admitted to Honors as an incoming freshman, plan to reapply once enrolled rather than assuming the door is closed permanently.
Expert Insight:
First-year Honors College applications for a given fall have historically closed well before the semester starts (e.g., fall 2026 applications were already closed by mid-cycle) - don't wait until regular admission decisions arrive to research the Honors deadline, since by then the window may have already passed; check the current cycle's specific dates as early as possible.
UB Profile
Full Name
University at Buffalo (UB)
City
Buffalo
State
New York
ZIP Code
14260-1660
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a UB Degree Worth It?
At $29,043/year against a $70,814 median graduate salary, UB is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $63,900, and graduates see a 3.89% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UB Cost?
Listed tuition runs $29,043/year at UB. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $20,470.
At UB, 32.3% receive a Pell Grant and 40.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UB on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UB Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UB graduates report a median income of $70,814, about 74% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
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, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
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 is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at UB
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UB Admissions
University at Buffalo graduates earn a moderate median salary of $70,814/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University at Buffalo is relatively affordable, around $29,043/year.
32.3% of University at Buffalo students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University at Buffalo's acceptance rate is 69.3%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University at Buffalo students is 3.75, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.45 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University at Buffalo. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.35 or below makes admission tougher at University at Buffalo, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University at Buffalo weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1298, and within the 1210–1380 range, keeps you competitive.
University at Buffalo's deadline is October 1 (Rolling). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
University at Buffalo charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before 2026/12/15 (Honors College priority). That's University at Buffalo's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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