University at Buffalo (UB) vs CU-Boulder

Nestled in the vibrant city of Buffalo, New York, and the picturesque foothills of Boulder, Colorado, University at Buffalo (UB) and University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) stand as two distinct academic powerhouses. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they also possess unique characteristics that set them apart. UB boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students, while CU Boulder's lower acceptance rate indicates a more selective admissions process. In terms of student demographics, UB's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students, while CU Boulder's student body is predominantly domestic. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision.

	University at Buffalo	University of Colorado Boulder
Overview
Location	Buffalo, New York	Boulder, Colorado
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	83.0%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	70.1%	79.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1180 - 1360	1170 - 1390
ACT range	25 - 31	25 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%	32.0%
Students submitting ACT score	5.0%	16.0%
Total number of applicants	30,750	54,756
Total number of admissions given out	21,552	43,576
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,309	6,785
Yield rate	20.0%	15.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $30,240 Out of state: $48,160	In state: $29,725 Out of state: $55,543
Average net price	$17,954	$22,532
Tuition	In state: $7,070 Out of state: $24,990	In state: $10,728 Out of state: $36,546
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,952 Meal plan: $6,500	$15,220
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	71.0% Average amount $8,810	53.0% Average amount $9,214
Students receiving federal student loan	45.0% Average amount $5,071	27.0% Average amount $4,986
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $13,892	6.0% Average amount $24,094

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,467 Men 54.3% Women 45.7%	30,886 Men 54.8% Women 45.2%
Graduate students	10,865 Men 47.5% Women 52.5%	8,114 Men 57.8% Women 42.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	3.2%	48.8%
International students	18.3%	7.1%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	7,711	7,500
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Connecticut Florida	Colorado California Texas Illinois New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Computer and Information Science Education Social Sciences	Business Engineering Communication and Journalism Visual & Performing Arts Legal Profession
Students to faculty ratio	13:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.8%	74.0%
Dropout rate	8.7%	8.6%
Transferred out	16.4%	15.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $140,469 Year 2: $159,761 Year 3: $146,042 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $70,533 Year 2: $67,772 Year 3: $132,503 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $95,335 Year 2: $104,510 Year 3: $123,979 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,109 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $82,514 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,415 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $78,884 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,859 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $76,613 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,249 Year 2: $61,078 Year 3: $75,877 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,773 Year 2: $66,653 Year 3: $75,097 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,581 Year 2: $59,350 Year 3: $74,704 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,797 Year 2: $59,485 Year 3: $72,822	Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,752 Year 2: $116,679 Year 3: $121,033 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $118,373 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,907 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $108,458 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,254 Year 2: $89,641 Year 3: $97,860 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,200 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $92,272 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,191 Year 2: $80,503 Year 3: $87,258 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,023 Year 2: $75,204 Year 3: $86,676 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,804 Year 2: $75,921 Year 3: $85,563 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $75,633 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $85,039 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,440 Year 2: $71,957 Year 3: $83,132

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University at Buffalo (UB) and the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder)?

The University at Buffalo (UB) is a large, public research university located in Buffalo, New York, known for its strong engineering, computer science, and health sciences programs. It offers a more urban environment and generally lower cost of living. The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is also a large, public research university, but it's located in Boulder, Colorado, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. CU Boulder is renowned for its aerospace engineering, environmental science, and physics programs, and offers a more outdoorsy and active lifestyle. The climate and overall campus culture are significantly different, with UB experiencing colder winters and CU Boulder enjoying more sunshine and a focus on outdoor recreation.
Which university is better for students interested in engineering?

Both UB and CU Boulder have strong engineering programs, but their strengths differ. UB excels in areas like civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering, with a strong emphasis on practical application and research opportunities. CU Boulder is particularly strong in aerospace engineering and related fields, benefiting from its proximity to the aerospace industry and research labs. Consider your specific engineering interests when making your decision. If you're interested in aerospace, CU Boulder is a clear leader. For other engineering disciplines, both offer excellent options, so consider factors like location and cost.
How do the costs of attending UB and CU Boulder compare?

Generally, UB is more affordable than CU Boulder, especially for out-of-state students. Tuition and fees at UB are typically lower, and the cost of living in Buffalo is significantly less than in Boulder. CU Boulder's location in a desirable mountain town contributes to higher housing and living expenses. Be sure to check the most recent tuition rates and cost of living estimates on each university's website to get the most accurate comparison based on your residency status.
What is the campus environment and student life like at each university?

UB offers a diverse and vibrant campus life with a mix of academic pursuits, cultural events, and student organizations. Its urban location provides access to city amenities and opportunities. CU Boulder boasts a more outdoorsy and active campus culture, with students frequently engaging in hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities. The campus is known for its beautiful scenery and strong sense of community. Consider which environment aligns better with your personal preferences and lifestyle.
Which university is better for research opportunities?

Both UB and CU Boulder are major research universities with ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. UB has strong research programs in areas like medicine, engineering, and computer science. CU Boulder is a leader in aerospace, environmental science, and physics research. Look into the specific research areas and faculty at each university to see which aligns best with your interests.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both UB and CU Boulder offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UB benefits from its location in a major metropolitan area, providing access to internships and job opportunities in various industries. CU Boulder's location near Denver and the aerospace industry provides unique opportunities in those sectors. Research the specific industries you're interested in and see which university has stronger connections in those areas.
What are the admission requirements for UB and CU Boulder?

Both universities have competitive admission requirements, but CU Boulder is generally considered slightly more selective. Both consider GPA, standardized test scores (though many programs are test-optional), essays, and extracurricular activities. Check each university's website for the most up-to-date admission requirements and average admitted student profiles.
Which university has a better location for outdoor activities?

CU Boulder is the clear winner for outdoor activities. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, it offers easy access to hiking, skiing, snowboarding, climbing, and other outdoor pursuits. UB, while located near the Great Lakes, doesn't offer the same level of mountain access. If outdoor recreation is a high priority, CU Boulder is the better choice.
How do the academic calendars differ between UB and CU Boulder?

Both UB and CU Boulder operate on a traditional semester system (fall and spring semesters). However, the specific start and end dates may vary slightly. Check each university's academic calendar on their website for the most accurate information.
What is the student-faculty ratio at each university?

Both UB and CU Boulder have relatively large student-faculty ratios, typical of large public universities. While the exact numbers may fluctuate, they are generally comparable. Look for opportunities to engage with faculty through research, office hours, and smaller class settings to maximize your learning experience at either institution.

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