University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) is a reputable public research university in Buffalo, New York, USA. It is a large university with around 20,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are relatively open, with an overall acceptance rate of around 69%. Some of the most sought-after majors are Engineering, Business, Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, and Health Professions. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 76%, and the starting salary of Buffalo graduates is around INR 6,50,000 (around $8,500 median income after ten years of graduation).
University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) is a highly ranked public research university in Amherst, Massachusetts, USA. It is a large university with approximately 21,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are moderately competitive with an overall acceptance rate of approximately 57.7%. Popular majors are Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is around 82%, and the alumni of UMass Amherst get a median starting salary of about INR 7,50,000 (approximately $10,000 median income ten years after graduation).
| University at Buffalo | University of Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.4 Out of 10 | 4.5 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 301 Times Higher Education 2026 # 410 QS World University 2026 # 251 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 112 Times Higher Education 2026 # 247 QS World University 2026 # 84 Times Higher Education 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 | # 55 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 44 for Medicine by US News 2024 # 351 for Law by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -67 PG Programs -93 Doctorate Programs -75 | UG Programs -85 PG Programs -71 Doctorate Programs -2 |
| Acceptance Rate | 74.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-120 IELTS-6.5 PTE-55 TOEFL-79 | Duolingo-115 GMAT-570 GRE-291 IELTS-6.5 SAT-1180 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 36136 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 34352 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 28288 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some programs and average salary are as follows:
| Has an annual ROI of 8.3% with an average annual salary of 72,000 USD. Top recruiters are Raytheon Co, MassMutual Financial Group, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, IBM Corp. |
| application requirements | 83% in high school and bachelors for UG and graduate admission respectively; Personal Statement; 2 to 3 letter of recommendations; CV | Average % required for UG admission: 90%; 3 letters of recommendation, audition and potfolio (depends upon program) |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.9/10 Read 23 reviews | 7.8/10 Read 10 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 | # 52 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 76 for Business by US News 2025 # 251 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 55/90TOEFL - 95/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 100/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| 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) | Nov 1, 2025 (Early Action Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Dec 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Feb 1, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 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 | # 21 for Computer Science by US News 2025 # 48 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 # 127 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6/9PTE - 50/90SAT - 500/1600TOEFL - 70/120 | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 |
| 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) | Nov 5, 2025 (Early Action Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Jan 15, 2026 (Regular Decision Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University at Buffalo | University of Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1846 | 1863 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 12:1:1 | 19.66:1 |
| Male:Female | 52% Male, 0% Female | 0% Male, 0% 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 | Main campus is in Amherst; Some parts are in the neighboring town of Hadley; Extends up to 1.6 km in all directions from Campus Center |
| 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 | Two libraries: W.E.B. Du Bois Library and Science & Engineering Library; W.E.B Du Bois is the world’s second-tallest library |
| 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 | Student Affairs and Campus Life helps in transitioning and connecting students to campus, fostering a positive campus climate, cultivating inclusion and diversity, supporting wellness, health and safety. |
| Hostel | #Room - $13500 | #Housing - $17632 |
| 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) | Russell Hulse (Nobel Prize in Physics); Catherine Coleman (NASA astronaut); Col Jason Fettig (28th Director of United States Marine Band); Jack Welch (former Chairman and CEO of GE); Kang Kyung-wha (former UN Under-Secretary-General) |
| 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. | Amherst: a town in Hampshire County; Major industries are aerospace, manufacturing, agriculture and food companies; Unemployment rate in May 2020 was 10.8%; Popular tourist attractions are Amherst College Musuem of Natural History; Puffer’s Pond, Yiddish Book Center, Mount Holyoke Range State Park, Mead Art Museum, Amherst Farmer’s Market |
| Weather |
University at Buffalo vs University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) and the University at Buffalo (UB) are two well-known public research universities in the United States with excellent academic standards. In QS World University Rankings 2026, UMass Amherst is approximately 247, and UB is at position 410. In US News Global Rankings 2026, UMass Amherst is ranked at 162, and UB at 369. In Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, UMass Amherst is at the 84th band, versus UB at the 251–300 band. UMass Amherst is especially renowned for its programs in engineering, social sciences, business, and public health, while UB boasts highly respected programs in engineering, business, life sciences, and public affairs.
General Information
University of Buffalo, established in 1846 and based in Buffalo, New York, is a part of the State University of New York (SUNY) network. It teaches about 30,000 undergraduate students and is recognized for its elite engineering, health sciences, and business research.
University of Massachusetts Amherst, founded in 1863 and situated in Amherst, Massachusetts, is the flagship campus of the UMass system, enrolling around 30,000 undergraduate students. UMass Amherst is known for its wide-ranging academic offerings, particularly in engineering, business, natural sciences, social sciences, and public policy, with a high research focus and international partnerships.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
The University of Buffalo has a fairly open admissions system with an acceptance rate of 69%, and thus it is an appropriate choice for many types of students.
UMass Amherst is slightly more selective with an acceptance rate of 57.7%, which indicates superior academic requirements and competitive programs in engineering, business, and sciences.
Research Impact & Facilities
UB has a robust research focus in engineering, health sciences, life sciences, and public affairs, offering impactful research in health, materials science, and data analysis.
UMass Amherst is one of the top research universities with an extensive research infrastructure, leading the way in engineering, life sciences, social sciences, and business. It is specifically well known for its polymer science, public policy, and sustainability research.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both universities provide competitive rates for in-state and out-of-state tuition, as well as several merit-based and need-based scholarships. UMass Amherst is commonly seen as providing more comprehensive financial aid because it has a larger endowment and research money.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UB graduates thrive in health sciences, engineering, business, and public administration fields, backed by robust industry connections within New York and the nation.
UMass Amherst graduates are particularly positioned in engineering, business, public policy, and research fields, with strong regional, national, and international industry connections as well as a large, active alumni network.
