SUNY Buffalo vs UMass Amherst: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University at Buffalo and University of Massachusetts-Amherst, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
SUNY Buffalo vs UMass Amherst at a glance
SUNY Buffalo admits 74.2% of applicants and UMass Amherst 59.7% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $21,775 at SUNY Buffalo and $22,857 at UMass Amherst. Six-year graduation rates are 72.8% and 81.2%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- SUNY Buffalo admits 74.2% of applicants and UMass Amherst 59.7%, so UMass Amherst is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $21,775 a year at SUNY Buffalo and $22,857 at UMass Amherst; SUNY Buffalo costs $1,082 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $15,725 at SUNY Buffalo and $10,294 at UMass Amherst.
- 72.8% of students graduate within six years at SUNY Buffalo, against 81.2% at UMass Amherst.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $75,679 for SUNY Buffalo and $80,486 for UMass Amherst; UMass Amherst is $4,807 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $19,000 at SUNY Buffalo and $21,500 at UMass Amherst.
- SUNY Buffalo enrolls 20,112 students (large suburb) and UMass Amherst 23,671 (large suburb).
Side by side
SUNY Buffalo and UMass Amherst in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | SUNY Buffalo | UMass Amherst |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 74.2% | 59.7% |
| Applicants | 30,750 | 42,540 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | 1210–1380 | 1310–1500 |
| ACT middle 50% | 27–32 | 30–33 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $21,775 | $22,857 |
| Tuition, in state | $11,036 | $18,487 |
| Tuition, out of state | $32,466 | $41,759 |
| Cost of attendance | $31,688 | $36,842 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $15,725 | $10,294 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $17,036 | $10,343 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $21,440 | $12,020 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $24,611 | $17,769 |
| Over $110,000 | $28,968 | $33,795 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 72.8% | 81.2% |
| First-year retention | 85.2% | 91.9% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $75,679 | $80,486 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $19,000 | $21,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $216 | $244 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 20,112 | 23,671 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
| Location | Buffalo, NY | Amherst, MA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
SUNY Buffalo reports 80 bachelor's programs and UMass Amherst 73; 49 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about SUNY Buffalo vs UMass Amherst
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into SUNY Buffalo or UMass Amherst?
UMass Amherst is harder to get into by acceptance rate: SUNY Buffalo admits 74.2% of applicants and UMass Amherst admits 59.7%. Middle 50% SAT scores: SUNY Buffalo 1210–1380; UMass Amherst 1310–1500.
Which is cheaper, SUNY Buffalo or UMass Amherst?
SUNY Buffalo has the lower average net price after grants: $21,775 a year at SUNY Buffalo against $22,857 at UMass Amherst. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $15,725 and $10,294. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do SUNY Buffalo or UMass Amherst graduates earn more?
UMass Amherst graduates earn more at the median: $75,679 ten years after entry for SUNY Buffalo and $80,486 for UMass Amherst. Median federal debt at graduation is $19,000 and $21,500.
Which has a higher graduation rate, SUNY Buffalo or UMass Amherst?
UMass Amherst does: 72.8% of SUNY Buffalo students graduate within six years, against 81.2% at UMass Amherst.
How big are SUNY Buffalo and UMass Amherst?
SUNY Buffalo has 20,112 students in Buffalo, NY and UMass Amherst has 23,671 students in Amherst, MA.