At $20,470/yr net price, University at Buffalo graduates earn $70,814/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $36,814/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,470 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $81,880 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $70,814/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$36,814/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 73.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,240/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,624/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,261/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,286/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,546/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $159,761 | $102,203 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $104,510 | $123,815 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $74,576 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $73,215 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $72,482 | |
| Chemistry. | Doctoral | $71,957 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $71,575 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $70,456 | $16,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $68,499 | $40,119 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $67,772 | $196,586 |
The Risk Factor
73.4% of students at University at Buffalo graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 27% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University at Buffalo gives you a strong financial return for a public school. You leave with median debt of $19,000 and earn about $70,814 a decade later, so your debt is roughly a quarter of a single year's pay. That ratio is hard to beat, and a 73% graduation rate means most who enroll actually finish and reach those earnings.
The payoff concentrates in health and engineering. Clinical lab science pays the most at graduation while carrying the lowest debt of the top programs, a rare combination. Nursing is close behind and cheaper to finance. Computer engineering and computer science both land you in the low-to-mid $60,000s, though computer engineering costs about $6,000 more in debt for a similar result. Aerospace engineering pays the least of these five and saddles you with the most debt, so it's the weakest deal on this list even while still landing near $60,000.
The main risk is that UB's reported strength sits in these technical fields. If you enroll in a major outside health, computing, or engineering, the median earnings figure may not describe your outcome, and no program data here backs a strong return for those paths.
Net price scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $14,240. over $110,000, closer to $26,546. The jump between the $48-75k and $75-110k tiers is where aid thins out fastest, so middle-income families feel the cost most.
UB fits you if you're aiming for nursing, lab science, or a computing degree and want low debt. If you're set on a lower-earning major or need heavy aid as a middle-income family, price the specific program before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University at Buffalo worth the cost?
University at Buffalo offers solid value with a net price of $20,470 and graduates earning $70,814 after 10 years. The relatively low median debt of $19,000 makes it a reasonable investment for most students.
What are the best paying majors at University at Buffalo?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning $159,761, followed by pharmacy at $104,510. Engineering majors like electrical and mechanical also perform well, with starting salaries around $72,000-$74,000.
How much debt do University at Buffalo graduates have?
The median debt is $19,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. With graduates earning over $70,000 annually, most can handle this debt load comfortably.
Does University at Buffalo have good job prospects after graduation?
The 73% graduation rate is decent but not exceptional. Strong programs in nursing, pharmacy, and engineering provide good career prospects, while other majors may face more competitive job markets.