Buffalo, NY · Private University
Is University at Buffalo Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$70,814
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,782
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$30,572
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$122,288
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.32x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
73.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$20,470
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University at Buffalo graduates earn $25,814 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University at Buffalo ranked by graduate earnings
207 graduates
49 graduates
129 graduates
39 graduates
72 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University at Buffalo
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University at Buffalo, the gap between the highest-earning major (Pharmacology and Toxicology: $99,451) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $35,243) is $64,208/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacology and ToxicologyBest ROI | $99,451 | 3.3x |
| Computer Science | $95,015 | 3.1x |
| Computer Engineering | $88,500 | 2.9x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $83,785 | 2.7x |
| Industrial Engineering | $83,447 | 2.7x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $82,061 | 2.7x |
| Chemical Engineering | $79,817 | 2.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $78,910 | 2.6x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $77,846 | 2.5x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $75,123 | 2.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $74,299 | 2.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $69,464 | 2.3x |
| Civil Engineering | $67,572 | 2.2x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $67,282 | 2.2x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $59,663 | 1.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $58,621 | 1.9x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $58,438 | 1.9x |
| Architecture | $56,984 | 1.9x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $56,469 | 1.9x |
| Mathematics | $55,293 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $54,178 | 1.8x |
| Chemistry | $53,437 | 1.8x |
| Environmental Design | $50,238 | 1.6x |
| Sociology | $49,556 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $48,106 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,922 | 1.6x |
| Social Sciences, General | $46,357 | 1.5x |
| Psychology, General | $45,154 | 1.5x |
| International Business | $44,224 | 1.4x |
| History | $43,913 | 1.4x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $42,962 | 1.4x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $41,896 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $41,750 | 1.4x |
| Anthropology | $40,392 | 1.3x |
| Geography and Cartography | $39,206 | 1.3x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $39,164 | 1.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,324 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest | $35,243 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University at Buffalo | 2.32x | $70,814 | Strong ROI |
| CUNY Queens College | 4.05x | $62,763 | Strong ROI |
| University of Delaware | 1.84x | $72,950 | Good ROI |
| University of Missouri-St Louis | 1.59x | $53,037 | Good ROI |
| CUNY City College | 4.32x | $66,039 | Strong ROI |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | 2.07x | $74,479 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University at Buffalo stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $70,814 10 years after starting, $25,814 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.4 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.