SUNY Buffalo State University

Public · Moderately Selective · NY

Photo: Andre Carrotflower (CC BY-SA 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationNY · Northeast

SettingUrban

Undergrads5,097

Student:faculty14:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate22.8%

6-yr grad rate33.3%

Drop-out rate42.3%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$9k

Out-of-state tuition$20k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity54.6%

Gender diversity55.6%

International1%

Identity—

Overview

Buffalo State is the SUNY system's urban-engaged campus in Buffalo's Elmwood Village, a distinct institution from the nearby, larger University at Buffalo. It is known for teacher education, applied design programs, and an unusual specialty in art conservation, with the city's museum and cultural corridor within walking distance of campus.

Academics

Education has historically been Buffalo State's core strength, alongside applied design fields such as fashion and design technology. The art conservation program is a genuine rarity, one of only a small number in the country training students to preserve and restore artworks, and it benefits directly from the campus's location next to Buffalo's museum district.

Campus & student life

The Elmwood Village setting gives Buffalo State an urban, walkable character with galleries, museums, and city life close at hand, distinguishing it from more suburban SUNY campuses. The Burchfield Penney Art Center sits on campus itself, giving art and design students direct access to exhibition space.

Getting in

As a SUNY comprehensive college, admission is largely predictable based on coursework and grades rather than an intensively holistic review.

Worth knowing

Students should not confuse Buffalo State with the University at Buffalo; they are separate institutions with different missions, and Buffalo State's identity is built around applied, professionally oriented programs and its city location rather than large-scale research.

buffalostate.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate73%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 980–1240

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying