University at Buffalo's published cost of attendance is $30,785, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $14,668, middle-income families pay around $21,262, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,079.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $30,785 |
| Tuition and Fees | $31,536 |
| Room and Board | $17,426 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,500 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$9,790 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $20,995 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $14,668 |
| $30–48k | $16,585 |
| $48–75k | $21,262 |
| $75–110k | $24,117 |
| $110k+ | $28,079 |
University at Buffalo's published cost of attendance is $30,785, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $14,668, middle-income families pay around $21,262, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,079. Azimuth ranks University At Buffalo #527 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. For more on how published costs compare with what students actually pay, see the net price illusion. As a public research university, University At Buffalo draws on federal, state, and institutional aid programs to reduce costs for qualifying students. New York State's Excelsior Scholarship and other state grant programs can meaningfully reduce net price for in-state families, particularly at lower income levels. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and aid packages typically combine grants, work-study, and loans in proportions that vary by household income and demonstrated need. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $20,734; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $71,430, median federal debt of $19,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $215 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of University At Buffalo earn median earnings of $71,430 four years after enrollment, placing University At Buffalo in the 73.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $4,577 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 74.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University At Buffalo #504 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects a Business-leaning program mix — Business accounts for 17% of degrees, followed by Engineering at 15% and Social Sciences at 12%. Business Administration combines large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a key driver of the university's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Business Administration #61 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment , with 794 graduates earning median earnings of $69,903. The Psychology, General program graduates 632 students with median earnings of $52,303, and Azimuth ranks Biology, General #105 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with 349 graduates earning median earnings of $57,298. Communication and Media Studies and Computer Science round out the top programs, with Azimuth ranking them #28 and #68 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, respectively.
