University at Buffalo - SUNY

The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (UB), is ranked among the top 40 U.S. public universities by U.S. News & World Report and has a strong global community and worldwide reputation. For over 20 years, it has consistently ranked among the top 30 U.S. institutions for hosting international students. UB is a New York State flagship university and a member of the exclusive Association of American Universities (AAU).

UB offers more than 550 degrees across undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. With 13 academic schools and colleges, the university spans three distinct campuses and offers a wide range of academic opportunities. UB enrolls more than 30,000 students annually, drawing from 99 countries worldwide. With international student enrollment around 20 percent, and a diverse domestic student population, UB fosters an inclusive and supportive campus community for all.

With a 12:1 student to faculty ratio, more than 700 study abroad programs, and more than USD 430 million in financial aid and scholarships administered annually, UB offers an accessible, high-quality education with ample opportunity for social mobility.

As a leading research institution, UB supports over 100 research centers and institutes, collaborates with more than 80 universities globally, and invests over USD 500 million annually in research. UB is also ranked among the top 25 universities in the U.S. for its environmental and social impact in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.

UB is recognized by top university guides and publications for its excellent value, quality academics and world-renowned faculty. UB has the largest range of academic programs in the SUNY system and continually develops new programs to prepare students for the challenges and jobs of the future. Students can choose from over 150 undergraduate majors, 85 combined degrees, and more than 350 graduate and professional programs offered across 13 schools and colleges.

UB emphasizes rigorous, research-informed teaching that underwrites its status as an R1 research university. Teaching staff are highly qualified and widely experienced and often engage in research confronting some of the world's most pressing challenges. UB faculty are winners of the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, Guggenheim Fellowships, NEH Fellowships, Fulbright Scholar Awards, NSF CAREER Awards and more. Every student has the opportunity to participate in research, service, or experiential learning from their first year, reflecting the university's emphasis on hands-on, inquiry-driven education.

UB's award-winning faculty teach in a variety of university learning environments—lecture halls, seminar rooms, labs, clinics, fabrication shops and more—providing students with life-changing experiences and preparing them to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

The university encourages cross-disciplinary teaching initiatives that combine strengths in data, health, engineering, and the arts, offering courses such as digital humanities, computational biology, and data ethics. Experiential learning opportunities, including internships, co-ops, and community-based research, further enhance this offering by linking classroom theory to real-world outcomes.

Academic programs at UB are offered across 13 distinct schools and colleges. Each school oversees specific fields of study while also collaborating across disciplines, fostering a dynamic network of departments that share ideas and advance research.

UB's schools and colleges include:

• School of Architecture and Planning
• College of Arts and Sciences
• School of Dental Medicine
• Graduate School of Education
• School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
• School of Law
• School of Management
• Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
• School of Nursing
• School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• School of Public Health and Health Professions
• School of Social Work
• Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Graduate Division

This diverse academic structure allows students to pursue interdisciplinary study and tailor their education to contemporary global challenges as well as their own professional goals.

Academic entry requirements for a UB degree vary by program. Typically, applicants must have completed secondary education equivalent to a U.S. high school, with strong grades in the modules most relevant to their chosen degree area.

International students applying to the university can apply as first-year, transfer or graduate applicants depending on their academic history. Those who require a visa to study in the U.S. will follow international admissions procedures, which include submitting secondary school transcripts, diploma certificates, or equivalent credentials (e.g., A Levels, IB).

English proficiency is required for applicants whose first language is not English. The minimum scores to be eligible for consideration for admission to UB's undergraduate programs include: TOEFL iBT minimum 70, IELTS Academic score of 6.0, PTE Academic, and the Duolingo English Test, among others. Students who do not meet these standards may qualify for conditional admission or required pre-academic English coursework.

Application requirements also include a non-refundable application fee, submission of a personal essay, an optional letter of recommendation, proof of financial ability to cover tuition, housing, and living costs, and official English translations of all non-English documents.

UB's campuses provide a wide variety of facilities and resources designed to support studying, research, student life and community engagement.

The university's three campuses include 197 buildings spread across 1,172 acres, housing seven libraries that serve research and classroom needs across disciplines, with over 4.5 million print and electronic volumes.

UB's North Campus, located in the town of Amherst, N.Y., is where most of the university's core academic programs are offered. It is the largest of their three campuses, encompassing cutting-edge academic and research spaces, student residence halls and apartments, award-winning dining facilities, the student union and athletic venues. Abundant green spaces, including a recreational lake and a 65-acre living woods, complement the built environment.

UB's South Campus is a Western New York landmark dating back to the 1920s. Situated in a residential neighborhood in North Buffalo, the campus is home to classic ivy-covered buildings and grassy, tree-filled quads, as well as high-rise residence halls and innovative research and teaching facilities.

UB's Downtown Campus sits in the heart of Buffalo's medical corridor, just 10 minutes from South Campus by shuttle or metro. Home to the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, it's steps away from leading institutions like Roswell Park and Oishei Children's Hospital. Students in the health sciences learn in a state-of-the-art environment, including the Behling Human Simulation Center, which offers realistic, risk-free clinical training across multiple disciplines.

Campus facilities also include 18 residence halls and apartments for more than 7,000 students, five fitness centers, and state-of-the-art resources for both academic and recreational life.

Prospective students are encouraged to take a virtual tour to learn more about each campus.

Offering the most valuable merit scholarships in the SUNY system, UB is dedicated to ensuring fair access to tuition for any prospective student who seeks excellence in education.

From merit-based and athletic scholarships to awards funded by alumni and friends of the university, there are plenty of ways for students to fund their education. Combine all of that with Western New York's low cost of living, and a UB degree becomes an investment that pays off. According to College Factual, the return on investment (ROI) of a UB education is approximately USD 1,238,000 over 30 years.

Scholarships for international undergraduate students include the Flagship Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship. Additionally, international transfer students are also eligible for transfer student scholarships.

UB's support for international students includes comprehensive resources provided by the International Student Services (ISS) office. ISS helps international students identify external scholarship opportunities, pursue graduate assistantships and develop funding plans to ensure they have the financial resources to complete their program.

International student applicants are encouraged to apply early and check departmental pages for discipline-specific scholarships. Some funding is competitive and limited, so strong academic and test performance, plus a compelling application, can improve chances.

• Average tuition fees: undergraduate - USD 28,500 per year
• Average tuition fees: postgraduate - USD 32,300
• Estimated Annual Living costs - USD 24,900

Costs are based on 2025-26 estimates that include books and supplies, transportation and personal costs that vary by student. They are subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date estimated cost information, visit UB's Financial Aid website.

UB has been changing the world through research for decades, from inventing the implantable heart pacemaker to revolutionizing oral biology, or developing handwriting recognition software for the U.S. Postal Service, which laid the groundwork for many of today's AI breakthroughs. And it's continuing to innovate every day to create a safer, healthier, and brighter future.

UB recently made several major investments in infrastructure and programming, including investments in Empire AI and seven first-of-their-kind AI+X degrees supported by the new Department of AI and Society. These bold initiatives demonstrate the university's continued commitment to future-facing research and interdisciplinary excellence, strengthening its regional and global reputation for leadership and innovation.

UB is also leading the way in sustainability. Through its Solar Strand and new solar arrays, the university generates over 12 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy each year—enough to power more than 1,700 homes. And with its climate action plan to reach net-zero by 2030, UB ranks among the largest higher education institutions producing on-site renewable energy in the U.S.