University at Buffalo (UB) vs Syracuse University
When it comes to higher education in New York State, University at Buffalo (UB) and Syracuse University (SU) stand out as two prominent institutions. Both offer a wide range of academic programs, vibrant campus life, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. However, there are some key differences between the two universities that prospective students should consider. UB, a public research university, boasts a larger student body and a more diverse range of academic programs compared to SU, a private research university. While SU has a slightly higher acceptance rate, UB offers more affordable tuition rates. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details on acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Syracuse University |
![]() University at Buffalo |
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Overview |
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Location | Syracuse, New York | Buffalo, New York |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 90.0% | 83.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 59.2% | 70.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1220 - 1400 | 1180 - 1360 |
ACT range | 27 - 32 | 25 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 25.0% | 29.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 13.0% | 5.0% |
Total number of applicants | 39,682 | 30,750 |
Total number of admissions given out | 23,489 | 21,552 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,765 | 4,309 |
Yield rate | 16.0% | 20.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $77,896 |
In state:
$30,240
Out of state:
$48,160
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Average net price | $43,545 | $17,954 |
Tuition | $55,920 |
In state:
$7,070
Out of state:
$24,990
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,075
Meal plan:
$7,820
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Room/dormitory:
$8,952
Meal plan:
$6,500
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
86.0%
Average amount $31,590 |
71.0%
Average amount $8,810 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
37.0%
Average amount $5,350 |
45.0%
Average amount $5,071 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $26,377 |
8.0%
Average amount $13,892 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
14,778
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
21,467
Men 54.3% Women 45.7% |
Graduate students |
6,994
Men 48.0% Women 52.0% |
10,865
Men 47.5% Women 52.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 67.2% | 3.2% |
International students | 16.9% | 18.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 8,291 | 7,711 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York New Jersey Mississippi California Pennsylvania | New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Connecticut Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.4% | 73.8% |
Dropout rate | 17.0% | 8.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | 16.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Business/Managerial Economics (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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