University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) is an accredited public research university with a campus in Buffalo, New York State, USA. It is a sizable university with about 20,000 undergraduate students. It is a moderately open university with an overall acceptance ratio of about 69%. Key majors include Business, Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Engineering. The six-year graduation rate is about 76%, and graduates of Buffalo start with a median salary of about INR 6,50,000 (around $8,500 median family income a decade after graduation).
Penn State is a credible public research university which is situated in State College, Pennsylvania, USA. It is a sizable institution with an undergraduate strength of approximately 40,000 students. It is moderately competitive with a total acceptance ratio of about 54%. Common degrees taken here include Engineering, Business, Communications, Biology, and Computer Science. It has a six-year graduation ratio which is approximately 85%, and graduates get a median starting salary of roughly INR 9,80,000 (around $12,500 median annual salary after a decade after graduation).
| University at Buffalo | Pennsylvania State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.4 Out of 10 | 5.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 301 Times Higher Education 2026 # 410 QS World University 2026 # 251 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 82 QS World University 2026 # 108 Times Higher Education 2026 # 57 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 201 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 401 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 251 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 31 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 118 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -67 PG Programs -93 Doctorate Programs -75 | UG Programs -163 PG Programs -116 |
| Acceptance Rate | 74.0 % | 54.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-120 IELTS-6.5 PTE-55 TOEFL-79 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1160 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 24600 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 23100 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 18064 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 35984 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 38198 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 26664 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some programs and average salary are as follows:
| PhD: $150,0000- $158,000 |
| application requirements | 83% in high school and bachelors for UG and graduate admission respectively; Personal Statement; 2 to 3 letter of recommendations; CV | Submit Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) along with application, SAT/ACT scores are also accepted as language proficiency proof. You may have to fulfill additional requriements as per the program. |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.9/10 Read 23 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 18 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 151 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 79 for Business by US News 2025 # 401 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 68 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 92 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 55/90TOEFL - 95/120 | GMAT - 660/800IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -58564 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -47940 |
| application dates | Jan 15, 2026 (Priority Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) Mar 1, 2026 (Priority Application Decision Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Mar 15, 2026 (Final Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) Apr 15, 2026 (Final Application Decision Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Apr 15, 2026 (Priority Tuition Fee Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Jun 1, 2026 (Final Tuition Fee Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Jun 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) |
| ranking | # 64 for Computer Science by US News 2025 # 151 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 # 351 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 | # 39 for Computer Science by US News 2025 # 101 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 # 102 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6/9PTE - 50/90SAT - 500/1600TOEFL - 70/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9SAT - 1140/1600TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -31534 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -35984 |
| application dates | Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) Dec 1, 2025 (Enrollment/Tuition Deposit Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) Feb 1, 2026 (Regular Decision Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) May 1, 2026 (Enrollment/Tuition Deposit Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Nov 1, 2025 (Early Action Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) | Sep 1, 2024 (Priority Application Deadline For Spring Intake) Oct 1, 2024 (Final Application Deadline For Spring Intake) Dec 24, 2024 (Fall Early Action Notification By) Feb 1, 2025 (Priority Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Apr 1, 2025 (Fall Priority Notification By) May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline To Accept Offer For Fall Intake) Jun 15, 2025 (Final Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Nov 1, 2024 (Early Action Application Deadline For Fall Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University at Buffalo | Pennsylvania State University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1846 | 1855 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 12:1:1 | 15:1 |
| Male:Female | 52% Male, 0% Female | 65% Male, 35% Female |
| Location Facts | Three campuses: North (main), South and Downtown; North campus has all undergraduate colleges, some graduate schools and administrative buildings; Medical and architectural schools are located at South campus; Downtown campus has research institutes | It has 24 campuses located throughout the state allowing students to explore the city while learning. University Park area is situated in located in State College and College township is located in Center Country. |
| Library | University’s libraries are grouped into units: Administration, Communications, Discovery & Delivery Services, Law Library, Research, Education & Outreach, and Technology; Over 4 million print volumes; 3.5 million in-person visits per year; 11 million website pageviews; over 35 subject librarians; 3500 power oulets | Titles held: 7,240,616 |
| Campus Life | University has over 600 organizations and clubs; organizes Distinguished Speaker Series and invites presidents, celebrities, musicians, and activists to speak; has a Student Government Body divided into three parts: Executive, Legislative and Judicial; 35 on-campus dining locations including a food truck duo: Big Blue and Little Blue offering various types of cuisines | Engage in varsity athletics, 31 intercollegiate athletic teams, intramural clubs, Center for Spiritual and ethical development, LGBTQ resource center. |
| Hostel | #Room - $13500 | #On campus - $11280 #Off campus (not with family) - $11280 #Off campus (with family) - $4104 |
| Famous Alumni | Michael A. Battle (Director of the Executive Office for US Attorneys); Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Prime Minister and President of Somalia); Jeanine Pro (TV Host and author); Ellen Shulman Baker (Astronaut); Bram Cohen (creator of BitTorrent); Jacob A. Marinsky (Chemist and co-discoverer of Promethium); Elad Levy (Neurosurgeon) | Saquon Barkley (American Footballer), Adam Huber (Actor), Jerry Sandusky (football coach- America), Dan Bongino (American commentator), Safaa Al- Hashim (politician), Bo Nickal (Freestyle Wrestler). Alumni are famously called Nittany Lions. |
| City Life | New York contributed 8% to the USA GDP; Paygrade increased by 2.8%; Financial activities comprised of 29% of the state’s total GDP; Unemployment rate was 5.3% in January 2023; Food and apparel are the largest manufacturing sectors of the city; Major tourist attractions are Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, etc. | State College, Pennsylvania is the largest borough area. Downtown Improvement District and University Park are two major sections in State College. The neighborhood has Orchard Parks, West End, College Heights, South State College, and more. Penn State University is the largest employer followed by Mount Nittany Medical Center. You can enjoy art fests, dance night marathons, and more. |
| Weather |
University at Buffalo vs Pennsylvania State University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University at Buffalo (UB) and Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) are both large, well-respected public research universities in the United States. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Penn State ranks significantly higher at 82, while UB is placed around 410. According to the US News Global Rankings 2026, Penn State holds position 91, compared to UB’s 369. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2026, Penn State is in the top 100 (100th position), while UB ranks in the 251–300 band. Penn State is particularly strong in engineering, business, earth sciences, and social sciences, with a global reputation for research excellence. UB also has solid programs in engineering, life sciences, public health, and business, but with a more regional research impact.
General Information
University at Buffalo is a 1846-founded university situated in Buffalo, New York. It is also among the largest and most research-focused universities in the SUNY system with nearly 30,000 undergraduate students. It is characterized by advanced-level research activity, primarily with regard to engineering, health science, and public affairs.
Penn State University, established in 1855 with its location in State College, Pennsylvania, is a large research school with more than 40,000 undergraduate students. It is a school with a variety of programs and is particularly noted for research in engineering, business, earth sciences, and life sciences with a large international network and standing.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
University at Buffalo has a somewhat easy admissions policy, with 69% acceptance rate, where they accept a diverse number of students.
Penn State is slightly competitive with a 57.7% acceptance ratio that indicates competitive admissions requirements most especially for programs such as engineering, business, and science.
Research Impact & Facilities
UB is an R1 research institution with emphases in engineering, life sciences, health sciences, and public affairs, contributing significant regional research and innovations.
Penn State University has a large research infrastructure and ranks among the global leaders in research output, especially in engineering, earth sciences, energy, and business. Its research centers and collaborations have strong influencability, funding important global research activity.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both institutions offer low-cost tuition, particularly to in-state students, as well as an extensive variety of merit- and need-based scholarships. Penn State tends to offer more comprehensive research funding and financial aid choices because it is larger and has a world research network.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Graduates of UB tend to seek careers in public administration, business, engineering, and health care with close ties to local and regional industries.
Penn State graduates have excellent placement in engineering, business, public policy, and research industries with support from a highly developed alumni network and international industry links, providing Penn State as an excellent option for students who desire both intellectual prestige and career opportunity.
