University at Buffalo Acceptance Rate
Buffalo, New York · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 38,210
- Admitted
- 26,481
- Yield
- 16.1%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University at Buffalo's acceptance rate has risen from 57.8% in 2014–15 to 69.3% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 24,423 to 38,210 (+56%) over that period.
Its 69.3% rate makes University at Buffalo more selective than about 63% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 119 tracked New York schools, it is more selective than about 55%.
University at Buffalo has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 16.1% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 24,423 | 14,118 | 57.8% | 3,519 |
| 2015–16 | 23,629 | 14,175 | 60% | 3,621 |
| 2016–17 | 26,001 | 15,440 | 59.4% | 4,103 |
| 2017–18 | 27,798 | 15,940 | 57.3% | 4,179 |
| 2018–19 | 31,196 | 17,423 | 55.9% | 4,263 |
| 2019–20 | 29,900 | 18,264 | 61.1% | 4,289 |
| 2020–21 | 30,247 | 20,251 | 67% | 4,415 |
| 2021–22 | 30,750 | 21,552 | 70.1% | 4,309 |
| 2022–23 | 30,939 | 20,948 | 67.7% | 4,215 |
| 2023–24 | 38,210 | 26,481 | 69.3% | 4,271 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 19,756 | 13,930 | 70.5% |
| Men | 18,454 | 12,551 | 68% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 600–680 | 33% |
| SAT Math | 610–700 | |
| ACT Composite | 27–32 | 3% |
How University at Buffalo compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University at Buffalo's acceptance rate?
University at Buffalo's acceptance rate is 69.3% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (26,481 admitted of 38,210 applicants).
Is University at Buffalo test optional?
University at Buffalo is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University at Buffalo?
University at Buffalo received 38,210 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 26,481.
What SAT score do you need for University at Buffalo?
Admitted students at University at Buffalo typically scored 600–680 on SAT Reading/Writing and 610–700 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University at Buffalo getting harder to get into?
University at Buffalo has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 57.8% in 2014–15 to 69.3% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.buffalo.edu/.