The Best Business Schools in Buffalo for 2027
Key Points: Best Business Schools in Buffalo
- University at Buffalo ranks #1 in the Buffalo area on a 91.0 Program Score, with a 75% graduation rate.
- The hardest to get into is SUNY Buffalo State University (#4), which admits 73% of applicants.
- Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
- The #1 program is also the lowest-tuition program on the list, so the best value and the best score are the same school.
- Programs analyzed
- 61
- Schools ranked
- 7
- Tuition range
- $7,070-$37,190
- Average graduation rate
- 51%
We analyzed 61 accredited business programs in Buffalo and the surrounding metro and ranked 7 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 7 ranked schools runs from $7,070 to $37,190 a year, a $30,120 spread for the same credential.
University at Buffalo leads with a 91 Program Score on a 75% graduation rate, at $7,070 a year. Across all 7 ranked business schools in Buffalo the average graduation rate is 51%, ranging from 23% to 75%. 2 of the 7 are public and 5 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below.
The Top Business Schools in Buffalo at a Glance
University at Buffalo leads at 91.0, and Villa Maria College closes the chart at 59.2. Longer bars rank higher.
How the Business Schools in Buffalo Are Scored
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 7 Best Business Schools in Buffalo, Ranked for 2027
The 7 best Business Schools in Buffalo, ranked by outcomes.
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY · Public
- Grad rate
- 75%
- Admit rate
- 74%
- In-state
- $7,070
- Out-of-state
- $27,670
A Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Buffalo's School of Management with a 2.950 major GPA requirement and a one-year MS in Accounting for CPA licensing.
- Program Score 91
- 75% graduation rate
- $7,070 in-state tuition
- Pairs with a one-year MS in Accounting for CPA credits
The University at Buffalo's Bachelor of Science in Accounting combines quantitative and analytical training with courses in marketing and human resources, aimed at entry-level roles in public accounting, industry and government. The page is direct about CPA licensure: New York and nearly every other state require 150 college credit hours, which is more than a standard bachelor's degree provides. To close that gap the School of Management offers a one-year Master of Science in Accounting registered by New York State, which gives applicants automatic approval on the educational requirements. Standards are firm. Students must keep a 2.950 major GPA, a 2.750 UB GPA and a 2.750 overall GPA to be admitted to or remain in the major, with minimum B grades in MGA 201 and MGA 202.
The program holds a Program Score of 91 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. Buffalo graduates 75% of its students and admits 74% of applicants. In-state tuition is $7,070 and out-of-state tuition is $27,670. The major fits students who are comfortable with GPA thresholds, want a four-year accounting degree at a large public research university, and are willing to plan for the extra credits that CPA licensing requires.
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 75%
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Niagara University's 36-credit MS in Finance can be completed in 12 to 16 months, aligns with the CFA Program curriculum and qualifies for STEM OPT.
- 75% graduation rate
- Program Score 80.9
- 12-16 month completion
- CFA Institute affiliation
Niagara University's Master of Science in Finance is a 36-credit program that takes 12 to 16 months, full or part time, with fall or spring starts. Classes meet in person, with some hybrid-online courses available, and the school says the program qualifies international applicants for STEM OPT. Coursework covers investment analysis, corporate finance, quantitative finance, risk management, financial modeling, and market and credit risk. Because Niagara participates in the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, the curriculum is designed to align broadly with the CFA Program, and students can join the CFA Research Challenge. An on-campus Financial Services Lab lets students manage a live investment portfolio, and the program schedules networking events with industry professionals.
Federal figures put the graduation rate at 75%, and the university admits 87% of applicants. The program holds a Program Score of 80.9 out of 100, the basis for its ranking. It fits students aiming at finance roles who want quantitative training, a path toward the CFA exam and a shorter timeline than a typical two-year master's, including international students who want the STEM OPT designation.
D'Youville University
Buffalo, NY · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 67%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
D'Youville University's online MBA can be finished in as little as 17 months by taking one course at a time in an accelerated format.
- 67% graduation rate
- Program Score 76.0
- Complete in as little as 17 months
- One course at a time, online
The MBA at D'Youville University is delivered online in an accelerated format designed for working adults. Students take one course at a time, which lets them concentrate on a single subject before moving on, and the school says the degree can be completed in as little as 17 months. The school reports that the program is IACBE-accredited and describes it as an interdisciplinary degree drawing on D'Youville University's liberal arts tradition, with small classes where faculty work directly with students. Sample courses include business methods statistics, theories of economics and special topics in business management, which covers organizational change, human resources, operations, finance and global management. Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited college and a minimum 3.0 GPA; students without a business undergraduate degree may need up to five online preparatory modules during the first term.
Federal figures show a 67% graduation rate at D'Youville and an admit rate of 81%, so most applicants are admitted. The program earns a Program Score of 76.0 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits professionals who want to keep working while they study and prefer a single-course rhythm to juggling several classes at once. Career changers from non-business majors are explicitly welcome to apply.
SUNY Buffalo State University
Buffalo, NY · Public
- Grad rate
- 33%
- Admit rate
- 73%
- In-state
- $7,070
- Out-of-state
- $18,190
Buffalo State reports that all domestic business administration graduates were employed within a year, and its internships require 135 hours.
- 33% graduation rate
- Program Score 71.1
- $7,070 in-state tuition
- 4+1 master's pathway
SUNY Buffalo State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration that prepares students for leadership roles in management and marketing across domestic and international business and public and nonprofit organizations. The Business Department helps students find internships, and the page states that students must work 135 hours at a placement site to earn three internship credits. The school reports that 60% of students were hired by host companies after 2024 internships and that all domestic graduates were employed within one year. A 4+1 combined pathway lets enrolled students begin an online M.S. in business management while finishing the bachelor's degree. Students also get individual advisement and access to undergraduate research funding.
Federal data show a 33% graduation rate, and the university admits 73% of applicants. In-state tuition is $7,070, compared with $18,190 for out-of-state students. The program earns a Program Score of 71.1 out of 100, the basis for its ranking. It suits students who want a public, lower-cost business degree with required internship experience and the option to continue into a master's program through the combined pathway.
Bryant & Stratton College-OnlineOnline Program
Orchard Park, NY · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 23%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- In-state
- $16,125
- Out-of-state
- $16,125
A 120-credit online BBA in Accounting that stacks onto a 60-credit associate degree, so earlier coursework carries forward.
- Program Score 68.8
- 23% graduation rate
- $16,125 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
- Stackable from the 60-credit AAS
Bryant & Stratton College offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting of 120 credits, which the page says typically takes 32 to 40 months. Coursework includes Intermediate Accounting I and II, Financial Analysis, Managerial Accounting, Business Taxation, Auditing and Advanced Accounting, alongside management, finance, operations, marketing and business law. The BBA is designed to stack onto the college's 60-credit Associate of Applied Science in Accounting, so completed associate credits count toward the bachelor's. The page says the online BBA is available in every state except New York, and that the school's business programs hold ACBSP accreditation. It also states plainly that the BBA does not prepare students to sit the CPA exam, which requires at least 150 credit hours.
The program has a Program Score of 68.8 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 23% graduation rate, and the college is open admission. Tuition is $16,125, the same for in-state and out-of-state students. It fits students aiming for staff accountant, internal auditor or budget analyst roles who want to start with the associate degree and continue later, but not those whose goal is CPA licensure without extra coursework.
Hilbert College
Hamburg, NY · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 56%
- Admit rate
- 97%
- In-state
- $30,760
- Out-of-state
- $30,760
Hilbert College's Business Management BS can be completed on campus or online and is taught at a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
- 56% graduation rate
- Program Score 65.0
- $30,760 in-state tuition
- On-campus or online
Hilbert College offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Management as a four-year degree in its Business department, available both on campus and online. The school says the program builds a foundation in accounting, finance, marketing, business law, strategic planning and information technology, with an emphasis on organization, teamwork, networking, leadership and ethical decision-making. Students can add a minor, and the college lists related options including an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Sports Industry Management. The page points to careers in health care, hospitality, human resources, marketing, operations and sales, and cites a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio for personal attention in class.
Federal data show a 56% graduation rate at Hilbert and an admit rate of 97%, so nearly every applicant is admitted. Tuition is $30,760 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program earns a Program Score of 65.0 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a broad management degree with the choice of studying on campus or online, and who value smaller classes at a small private college.
Villa Maria College
Buffalo, NY · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 31%
- Admit rate
- 87%
- In-state
- $27,530
- Out-of-state
- $27,530
Villa Maria College's business administration major requires an internship and builds marketing and recruitment plans for local businesses.
- 31% graduation rate
- Program Score 59.2
- $27,530 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
- Required internship
Villa Maria College's Business Administration bachelor's program is a general business degree covering accounting, marketing, economics, human resources, management, statistics and operations. The page describes a project-based curriculum in which students work with local businesses to develop real-world marketing plans, recruitment strategies and analytical skills. An internship is required. The program also stresses communication: students practice building a business strategy, working in teams and delivering presentations. The page describes the school as transfer friendly, saying the majority of credits from another institution may transfer, and lists the program chair, a business administration professor, as the contact. The program is taught on the Buffalo campus rather than online.
Federal data show an 87% admit rate and a 31% graduation rate at Villa Maria, which has an enrollment of 611. Tuition is $27,530 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The Program Score of 59.2 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. The program fits students who want a small campus, hands-on projects with area employers and an internship built into the degree, and who plan to use an unspecialized business foundation as a starting point. The graduation rate is worth weighing against the support you expect to need.
Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Business Schools in Buffalo
The median school on this list graduates 56% of its students. The highest rates belong to University at Buffalo (75%) and Niagara University (75%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 University at Buffalo75% graduation rate
- #2 Niagara University75% graduation rate
- #3 D'Youville University67% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Business Schools in Buffalo?
On this list, 1 of 7 schools is open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Every school here that reports an admit rate takes at least half of its applicants; the median is 84%.
- #4 SUNY Buffalo State University73% admitted
- #1 University at Buffalo74% admitted
- #3 D'Youville University81% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Online Options Among the Business Schools in Buffalo
Of the 7 schools ranked here, 2 offer distance education. The highest ranked is Bryant & Stratton College-Online, at #5.
- #5 Bryant & Stratton College-OnlineOrchard Park, NY
- #6 Hilbert CollegeHamburg, NY
Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.
Campus Size Across the Business Schools in Buffalo
Enrollment on this list runs from 611 at Villa Maria College to 31,903 at University at Buffalo. Of the 7, 1 enrolls 20,000 students or more and 4 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Business Schools in Buffalo Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University at BuffaloUniversity at Buffalo | $92,314 | $21,775 |
| #3 | D'Youville UniversityD'Youville | $101,269 | $22,038 |
| #4 | SUNY Buffalo State UniversitySUNY Buffalo State | $57,114 | $10,886 |
| #6 | Hilbert CollegeHilbert College | $58,400 | $20,955 |
Four years out, medians on this list run from $57,114 at SUNY Buffalo State to $101,269 at D'Youville.
The highest-ranked school in the table, University at Buffalo (#1), reports $92,314, so the highest score and the highest pay are not the same school.
After grants, the average undergraduate pays least at SUNY Buffalo State, $10,886 a year, and most at D'Youville, $22,038.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.
What Business Schools in Buffalo Cost
Tuition across the 7 ranked schools runs from $7,070 to $37,190 a year. University at Buffalo anchors the low end at $7,070 a year, while Niagara University sits at the top at $37,190. The cheapest public option among the business schools in Buffalo is University at Buffalo at $7,070; the cheapest private is Bryant & Stratton College-Online in Orchard Park at $16,125.
Over the four years a bachelor's takes, that is roughly $28,280 in tuition at University at Buffalo against about $148,760 at Niagara University. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Buffalo from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.
Which Business Major to Choose in Buffalo
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in Buffalo do not all offer the same ones. Across the 61 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in Buffalo are business administration (10 schools), accounting (6 schools), marketing (5 schools), healthcare administration (4 schools), and finance (2 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: most states now license CPAs on either 150 credit hours and one year of experience or a bachelor's and two years, so the choice between a fifth year of school and a longer apprenticeship shapes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 6 of the schools analyzed in Buffalo run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in Buffalo
2 of the 7 ranked business schools in Buffalo are public and 5 are private, and that split drives most of the $30,120 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: University at Buffalo charges $7,070 in-state and $27,670 out of state, so where a student already lives changes this ranking more than any other single factor.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Why Study Business in Buffalo
The 7 ranked schools sit across 4 towns in the metro, among them Buffalo, Niagara University, and Orchard Park, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 2 of the 7 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Keep Exploring
Business Schools in Buffalo: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best business school in Buffalo?
By Program Score, University at Buffalo ranks first among the 7 ranked business schools in Buffalo, with a 91 score and a 75% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in Buffalo?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in Buffalo, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in Buffalo?
Tuition among the ranked Buffalo schools runs from $7,070 to $37,190 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Buffalo living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in Buffalo does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 61 accredited business programs across Buffalo and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 7 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the Buffalo metro area, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in Buffalo instead of online?
2 of the 7 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in Buffalo this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $7,070 in-state, University at Buffalo is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.