Moderately selectiveReviewed for the 2025-2026 cycle

Buffalo State University acceptance rate and admissions profile

Buffalo State University, a public university in New York, reports a 73% acceptance rate and sits in the moderately selective band. In practice that means it admits more applicants than it rejects, so a strong application is judged against an applicant pool that is already self-selected.

Use this page to see what Buffalo State University weighs, where it ranks among New York schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1180, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
73%
Moderately selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1180
of admitted students
Type
Public
New York
Selectivity in state
#40
of 59 in NY
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Will I get into Buffalo State University?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into Buffalo State University, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into Buffalo State University?

Your odds at Buffalo State University are not the same as its 73% acceptance rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for Buffalo State University in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is Buffalo State University hard to get into?

Buffalo State University is moderately selective: it admits more applicants than it rejects, with about a 73% acceptance rate. Meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.

What GPA do you need to get into Buffalo State University?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at Buffalo State University, but admitted students often present roughly a 3.2 to 3.7 GPA. Buffalo State University reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

What SAT score do you need for Buffalo State University?

Buffalo State University does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1180. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at Buffalo State University.

Calculate your chances at Buffalo State University

What Buffalo State University looks for

What Buffalo State University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

The factors that carry the most weight at Buffalo State University are rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from Buffalo State University's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Considered
Recommendations
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Considered
Talent / ability
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Considered
First-generation status
Considered
State residency
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at Buffalo State University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Buffalo State University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Above the admitted 75th percentile
1300Above the admitted 75th percentile
1200In the competitive admitted range
1100Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
Colleges for a 1200 SAT →Colleges for a 24 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How Buffalo State University compares in New York

Buffalo State University ranks #40 most selective of 59 schools in New York in our database.

Among the 59 New York schools we track, Buffalo State University ranks #40 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Columbia University (4%) and Cornell University (9%) sit nearby, which makes New York a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list. As a public university, residency matters: in-state applicants generally see meaningfully better odds than the headline rate suggests.

Columbia University
4%acceptance · NY
Cornell University
9%acceptance · NY
New York University
9%acceptance · NY
U.S. Military Academy
12%acceptance · NY
Colgate University
14%acceptance · NY
Hamilton College
14%acceptance · NY
Vassar College
19%acceptance · NY
Skidmore College
21%acceptance · NY
See all New York schools →

Similar to Buffalo State University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Applicants targeting Buffalo State University often weigh Louisiana State University, Texas Tech University, and Missouri S&T, which sit at a similar level. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

Louisiana State University
73%acceptance · LA
Texas Tech University
73%acceptance · TX
Missouri S&T
73%acceptance · MO
USC Beaufort
73%acceptance · SC
IU Northwest
73%acceptance · IN
New College of Florida
73%acceptance · FL

Frequently asked questions

What does Buffalo State University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Buffalo State University weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does Buffalo State University favor in-state applicants?

As a public university, Buffalo State University generally admits in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants, so your home state affects your odds. CollegeCalcAI applies an in-state residency boost when you select your state.

How can I improve my chances at Buffalo State University?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at Buffalo State University specifically.

What are the admission requirements for Buffalo State University?

Buffalo State University reviews GPA, course rigor, test scores (where submitted), activities, and essays. With a more accessible acceptance rate, meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.

Is Buffalo State University test-optional?

Test-optional policies change year to year, so confirm Buffalo State University's current policy on its official admissions site. If you do submit scores, the admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1180; if you do not, more weight falls on your GPA, course rigor, and essays.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.