University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University at Buffalo at a Glance
The State University of New York at Buffalo is a public research university in Buffalo and Amherst, New York, United States. The university was founded in 1846 as a private medical college and merged with the State University of New York system in 1962. It is one of two flagship institutions of the SUNY system, along with Stony Brook University. As of fall 2023, the university enrolled nearly 32,000 students in 13 schools and colleges, making it the largest public university in the state of New …
1846
180 years old
$1.2B
$1.17 billion (2025)
7,500
21,196 undergrad · 10,460 grad
1,172 acres
18 residence halls
Identity
How to Apply to University at Buffalo
Official admissions pageNovember 1 (Early Action)
$50
Fee waiver available
Testing policy
Fee waiver
Is University at Buffalo Worth It?
University at Buffalo delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $20,995/year, it's priced 3% above average, while graduates go on to earn $70,814 — 32% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University at Buffalo compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #15 of 30 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 100 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| #2 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #3 | University of Illinois Chicago | 95 | $10,974 | $68,740 |
| #4 | Utah Valley University | 94 | $6,376 | $55,486 |
| #5 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | 93 | $16,504 | $84,276 |
| #6 | University of California-Riverside | 90 | $14,304 | $67,699 |
| #15 | University at Buffalo | 63 | $20,995 | $70,814 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University at Buffalo's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NY.
Best Programs at University at Buffalo
The highest-earning program at University at Buffalo is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $65,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $17,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University at Buffalo earns $65,200, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $17,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $19,000 in median debt vs. $21,583 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,995/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,200 | $65,200 | $19,000 |
| Computer Science | $59,000 | $59,000 | $20,618 |
| Industrial Engineering | $58,500 | $58,500 | $21,500 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $58,400 | $58,400 | $24,077 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $57,000 | $57,000 | $20,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,700 | $55,700 | $20,386 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $55,000 | $55,000 | $20,500 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $50,700 | $50,700 | $18,001 |
| Chemical Engineering | $45,100 | $45,100 | $19,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,400 | $42,400 | $19,417 |
| Mathematics | $39,500 | $39,500 | $20,629 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,900 | $38,900 | $19,000 |
| Chemistry | $34,500 | $34,500 | $21,000 |
| International Business | $33,000 | $33,000 | $16,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,000 | $32,000 | $19,500 |
| Architecture | $31,300 | $31,300 | $23,000 |
| Sociology | $30,700 | $30,700 | $19,500 |
| Social Sciences, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $20,025 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,100 | $28,100 | $20,600 |
| Psychology, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $19,550 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $27,400 | $27,400 | $19,804 |
| Economics | $25,200 | $25,200 | $15,875 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $21,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,800 | $24,800 | $19,050 |
| Biology, General | $23,900 | $23,900 | $19,512 |
| History | $23,400 | $23,400 | $23,533 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $23,200 | $23,200 | $19,637 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $22,000 | $22,000 | $20,140 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,000 | $17,000 | $21,583 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Buffalo, NY
- Student Body
- 20,112 students
- Admission Rate
- 74%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,995
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $70,814
- Median Student Debt
- $19,000