University at Buffalo — ROI, Cost & Payback
University at Buffalo charges a net price of $20,995/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $83,980. Graduates earn a median $70,814 ten years after entry, $22,454/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.7 years — a 20-year net return of $365,100, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University at Buffalo's 3.7-year payback ranks #260 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 80% of them, and #33 of 203 in New York.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $20,995/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $83,980 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $70,814 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $22,454/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $365,100 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University at Buffalo's own numbers. Net price $20,995 × 4 years = $83,980 total. Median earnings $70,814 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $22,454 a year of premium. $83,980 ÷ $22,454 = 3.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $365,100. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University at Buffalo students graduate with?
A median $19,000 in federal loans among completers, or 27% of the $70,814 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University at Buffalo students graduate?
75% finish their degree. Spread the $83,980 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $111,973 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University at Buffalo expensive compared with other New York colleges?
Its $20,995 net price runs $2,082 above the $18,913 median across the 203 New York colleges we profile, or $8,328 more across the full degree.