Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Buffalo, New York
75.9% Acceptance Rate
SUNY Buffalo State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
75.9%Acceptance Rate
2.84Avg GPA
1080Avg SAT
$23,171Annual Cost
$52,334Grad Salary
53.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
75.9%
Avg GPA
2.84
Avg SAT
1080
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
960–1190
Avg Net Price
$14,229
Need-Based Aid
53.3% receive Pell
SUNY Buffalo State University is a public institution in New York known for its commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and community engagement. Offering a broad array of undergraduate and graduate programs, the university provides a vibrant campus environment that encourages critical inquiry and professional success. Its focus on providing an accessible, high-value education that prepares students for leadership in a global society makes it a reliable and effective choice for many.
SUNY Buffalo State University Acceptance Rate
SUNY Buffalo State University (Buffalo State) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 75.9% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 75.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.84 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.64 – 2.83
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.39
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
SUNY Buffalo State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
SUNY Buffalo State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Buffalo State 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.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Buffalo State GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Buffalo State is 2.84. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.04–3.24.Buffalo State GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.84 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.64 – 2.83
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.44 – 2.63
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.43
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Renamed from Buffalo State College to Buffalo State University; older materials and search results may use either name.
- Superscores SAT/ACT across multiple sittings, taking the highest section scores from each test date.
- Holistic review pathway exists for applicants without a demonstrated competitive high school curriculum, weighing Regents scores, recommendation letters, and extracurriculars.
- "Special consideration" admission for extenuating circumstances may come with attached stipulations (specific course enrollment, skill development, or mentoring).
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 Buffalo State
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on SUNY Buffalo State University's verified institutional data
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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.
SUNY Buffalo State University (Buffalo State) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Buffalo State is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Buffalo State Without SAT or ACT?
Buffalo State considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
SUNY Buffalo State University Average SAT Score: 1080
The average SAT score of admitted students at SUNY Buffalo State University is 1080 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1080 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1190 SAT) to stand out. Below average? SUNY Buffalo State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 960, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Buffalo State. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 535 | 480 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 540 | 480 | 600 |
| SAT Composite | 1080 | 960 | 1190 |
Below 960, you're behind most admitted students; at 1190 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into SUNY Buffalo State University (Buffalo State) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of Buffalo State's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Buffalo State
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Buffalo State takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Know This Was "Buffalo State College" Until Recently - Both Names May Appear in Search Results and Materials
The institution was renamed from Buffalo State College to Buffalo State University; older scholarship pages, alumni materials, and search results may still reference "Buffalo State College," while current official communications use "SUNY Buffalo State University." Treat both names as referring to the same institution rather than assuming outdated or unrelated information when researching.
Take Advantage of Superscoring Across Multiple SAT/ACT Sittings
Buffalo State explicitly superscores, combining your highest section scores across multiple test dates rather than considering only your best single sitting. If your first test attempt was uneven across sections, retake the test specifically to improve your weaker section rather than needing a strong performance across all sections in one sitting.
If Your High School Curriculum Isn't Highly Competitive, Lean Into the Holistic Review Factors Explicitly
Students without a demonstrated "competitive high school curriculum" are reviewed holistically using Regents/statewide test scores, letters of recommendation, program rigor, and extracurricular participation - a distinct secondary review pathway, not a rejection. If your transcript doesn't show many honors/AP courses, make sure your application actively surfaces these other factors (strong Regents scores, detailed extracurricular involvement, a substantive recommendation letter) rather than leaving gaps for the holistic reviewers to fill in.
Investigate Special Consideration Admission If Extenuating Circumstances Affected Your Record
Buffalo State explicitly offers a "special consideration" admission provision for applicants whose past academic record was affected by extenuating circumstances - but admission under this provision may come with real stipulations, such as required specific course enrollment, academic skill development, or mentoring. If personal circumstances affected your grades, address this directly in your application rather than letting a weak transcript stand unexplained, but go in expecting your first semester(s) may include added structure.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume "special consideration" admission functions identically to standard admission - it doesn't. Buffalo State's own policy states that students admitted under this provision may have specific stipulations attached (mandatory course enrollment, skill development, or mentoring requirements), so an applicant leaning on this pathway should expect a structured first year, not simply a lower bar with no follow-on obligations.
Buffalo State Profile
Full Name
SUNY Buffalo State University (Buffalo State)
City
Buffalo
State
New York
ZIP Code
14222
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Buffalo State Degree Worth It?
At $23,171/year against a $52,334 median graduate salary, Buffalo State is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $55,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.46%.
How much does a degree from Buffalo State Cost?
The sticker price is $23,171/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $14,229.
53.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 52.9% take federal loans at Buffalo State — file your FAFSA early and list Buffalo State as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Buffalo State Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $52,334 — about 29% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than SUNY Buffalo State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as SUNY Buffalo State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than SUNY Buffalo State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Buffalo State
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo State Admissions
Median graduate earnings at SUNY Buffalo State University run about $52,334 a year.
At about $23,171 a year, SUNY Buffalo State University is on the more affordable end.
With 53.3% of SUNY Buffalo State University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong — an early FAFSA filing naming SUNY Buffalo State University is the key move.
At 75.9%, SUNY Buffalo State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at SUNY Buffalo State University average a 2.84 GPA.
SUNY Buffalo State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.54 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.44, SUNY Buffalo State University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at SUNY Buffalo State University — aim above 1080, ideally within the 960–1190 range admitted students typically fall in.
SUNY Buffalo State University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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