U
#16 Best Public Universities in America

UB Admission Requirements

Buffalo, New York

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Your chances of getting into University at Buffalo

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

67.7%
Admission Difficulty for University at Buffalo
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UB is 67.7%.  Its admission rate is the 67th lowest in New York.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UB and can you get accepted?

UB is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 20,948 out of the 30,939 who applied were admitted.

University at Buffalo typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.75. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UB?

68% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University at Buffalo you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.75 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1290 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

UB GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.75

Typical High School Grades 

A-

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

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UB are to have around a 3.75 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as UB accepts 68% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UB is 3.75 on the 4.0 scale. 30% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #20 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UB is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University at Buffalo students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 30.2% Good
3.75 to 3.99 15.4% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 24.7% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 7.5% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 19.8% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 2.4% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0.1% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UB SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University at Buffalo. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 33% of students submitted SAT scores and 4% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1190-1380

Applicants Submitting SAT 

33%
SAT Scores for University at Buffalo
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 590
Math 25th Percentile 600
Composite 25th Percentile 1190
SAT Scores for University at Buffalo
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 680
Math 75th Percentile 700
Composite 75th Percentile 1380
Average SAT Score 1290

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University at Buffalo?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UB is 1290 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1190-1380. Students who get into University at Buffalo score in the top 26 percent of all SAT test takers..  UB ranks #31 in the state of New York and #204 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1290 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UB regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1190 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1190, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1090, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University at Buffalo is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1290 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1285, you have around a 68% chance of being admitted. A 1380 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 80% chance of getting in.

University at Buffalo admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1380 and Above Good >80%
1285 to 1380 Avg + 68%-80%
1190 to 1285 Avg - 53%-68%
1095 to 1190 Reach 37%-53%
Less than 1095 Low <37%
Calculate My Chances 

UB ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-32 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

4%
ACT Scores for University at Buffalo
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 25
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for University at Buffalo
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 32
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UB?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UB is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 32.  The school ranks #37 in New York and #223 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

4 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University at Buffalo.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University at Buffalo is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UB for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 68% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 82% with a 32 ACT score.

University at Buffalo admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >82%
28 to 32 Avg + 68%-82%
25 to 28 Avg - 55%-68%
22 to 25 Reach 41%-55%
Less than 22 Low <41%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

62% of University at Buffalo freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 28% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University at Buffalo students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 28.2%
Top 25% of class 62.3%
Top 50% of class 93%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University at Buffalo admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 16,022 14,917 30,939
Accepted 11,175 9,773 20,948
Acceptance Rate 70% 66% 68%
Enrolled 2,024 2,191 4,215
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 22% 20%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University at Buffalo is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University at Buffalo and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University at Buffalo Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University at Buffalo
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because UB is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.75 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1290 on the SAT and 28 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University at Buffalo often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=196088 IPEDS survey data for University at Buffalo.

Last updated February 24, 2024