UB Admission Requirements
- 9/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Buffalo, NY
-
3.4 8 reviews
UB Admission Overview
UB admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year UB admitted 74.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.75 GPA (A-) and SAT 1210-1380 / ACT 27-32. UB is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UB is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
UB Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Low
Admission difficulty for University at Buffalo
Acceptance Rate
The UB acceptance rate is 74.2%. Last year, 30,308 of 40,856 applicants were admitted. That is the 84th lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
University at Buffalo typically 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. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UB GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.75Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.75
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at UB typically have around a 3.75 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. UB is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
30% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #20 in New York for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
UB Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The University at Buffalo is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission or scholarship consideration, and applicants who omit them are not disadvantaged. You choose on the application whether scores should be considered. If you submit scores, they must come directly from the testing agency (SAT code 2925, ACT code 2978).
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.buffalo.edu/admissions/apply/first-year.standardized-tests.html
UB SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1210-1380Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
28%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 600
- Math 610
- Composite 1210
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 680
- Math 700
- Composite 1380
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at UB typically score around a 1300 SAT (middle 50% 1210–1380) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 88th percentile nationally. UB ranks #30 in the state of New York and #206 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1210 to 1380
SAT policy
UB is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1300 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UB ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
27-32Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
3%25th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 25
- Composite 27
75th Percentile Scores
- English 33
- Math 30
- Composite 32
Average ACT
Incoming testers at UB typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 27–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UB places #27 among colleges in New York and #181 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 27 to 32
ACT policy
You may apply to UB without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the UB chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University at Buffalo and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University at Buffalo is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
UB is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 74.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.75 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1210-1380); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University at Buffalo often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=196088.
GPA calculator: University at Buffalo GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026