Buffalo State Welcomes Largest Incoming Class of Last Three Years

Buffalo State University's new undergraduate class this fall includes 2,045 students, a 19.5 percent increase from a year ago and the largest incoming class of the last three years. Additionally, the projected retention rate for the university is 54.7 percent, up from 49.3 percent a year ago.

"These excellent enrollment results are a testament to the efforts and support of our entire Buffalo State community who, led by our enrollment management team, worked together to bring a promising group of students to campus," said Buffalo State University Interim President Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D. "I am very proud of my Buffalo State family and all that they do to serve our students and their families. They truly make a difference in the lives of many."

Buffalo State has the largest incoming freshman class in SUNY's university colleges sector (formerly known as SUNY's comprehensive colleges) for the fifth time in six years. New freshman enrollment is 1,486, an increase of 16.5 percent from a year ago and the first year-over-year increase in that category since 2017.

It is also the first time since 2017 there is a year-over-year increase in transfer students entering Buffalo State, with 559 transfers being a 28.5 percent increase from a year ago.

"The work that was done by the entire Bengal community, especially our admissions team, to recruit and on-board a dynamic and diverse entering class is truly inspiring," said Randyll P. Bowen, vice president for enrollment management. "Our strategic, and very intentional recruitment efforts and activities across the campus, including the continued support of our faculty, have resulted in a robust incoming class that has seen more students choosing to live on campus, as well as significant growth with Western New Yorkers choosing Buffalo State University as their educational destination."

Residence hall occupancy is 1,906 students, a 13.3 percent increase from a year ago.

Buffalo State's incoming class of Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students totals 133, the fifth-largest among SUNY institutions and the largest in SUNY's university colleges sector. EOP combines access, academic support, and supplemental financial assistance to make higher education possible for students who have the potential to succeed.

"We are grateful to bring in such a large group," said EOP Director Yanick Jenkins. "We appreciate all the work admissions has done to increase our numbers. As a program, we understand that whatever works for EOP retention also works for retention at Buffalo State University, which is our ultimate goal."

The EOP retention rate at Buffalo State is also projected to be up about 20 percentage points from a year ago.

Buffalo State's undergraduate enrollment this fall is 5,507 students, a 0.8 percent increase from a year ago. Total enrollment, including graduate students, is 6,405 students.

"There was a high level of collaboration between admissions, our partners across campus, and SUNY, which were vital to our success," said David Loreto, director of admissions. "Our campus leadership enhanced our scholarships and grants to help make a Buffalo State education more affordable and accessible. Each of these programs required adaption and coordination. I’m proud of my team’s work to incorporate these efforts into our recruitment plan."

The number of new graduate students is 363, up 18.6 percent from a year ago.