University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo)

University at Buffalo at a glance

The University at Buffalo (UB, also called SUNY Buffalo) is a public research university in Buffalo, New York, part of the State University of New York (SUNY). Indian students mostly look at its Master's programs in computer science and engineering.

Four things Indian applicants should know first:

• 3-year degrees: depends on the department. UB's Graduate School says it accepts all 3-year degrees from accredited Indian institutions, but the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department asks for a bachelor's or four-year equivalent.
• For the I-20 you must show $57,200 for one year (standard graduate programs): $32,300 tuition and fees plus $24,900 living expenses.
• GRE is optional for the MS in Computer Science, and you need only one letter of recommendation.
• Fall 2026 tuition and fees are $14,914.86 a semester for non-resident (international) graduate students, plus a $100 international student fee and compulsory health insurance.

What it really costs

Tuition and fees. UB Student Accounts lists the fall 2026 full-time rates for non-resident graduate students (international students pay the non-resident rate):

That comes to about $30,030 for autumn and spring. Some programs, such as the MBA, have their own rates.

Health insurance is compulsory. International students are enrolled in the student health insurance plan automatically once they register for enough credits. For 2026–27 it costs $993.48 for fall (15 August to 14 January) and $1,377.73 for spring (15 January to 14 August). You can only waive it with a policy that matches or exceeds the SUNY plan and is approved by UB, and even then you are billed for compulsory medical evacuation and repatriation cover ($41.60 in fall, $58.24 in spring). Waivers must be submitted every year. See our health insurance waiver guide.

Proof of funds for the I-20. UB's 2026 financial form for standard graduate programs asks you to show:

UB says these estimates are based on 2025–26 costs and that total costs typically rise 5% to 8% a year. Add $8,400 for a spouse and $6,300 for each child. Documents must be on official letterhead, in English, show liquid funds and the total available balance, and be dated within one year of your start date. Education loans must be fully sanctioned: conditional or "in-principle" loan letters are not accepted. Salary statements and employment letters are not accepted. See our I-20 proof of funds guide.

Can you reduce the cost?

Be realistic. UB's CSE department says all its PhD students are fully funded, but it does not describe funding for Master's students, and it asks applicants not to contact faculty about funding.

• Assistantships: offers are made by the department's admissions committee. Plan your budget without one.
• Education loans are accepted as proof of funds if fully sanctioned. See our US education loans guide and assistantships guide.

Getting in: what UB looks at

From UB's Graduate School and the CSE department:

1. Degree: the Graduate School accepts all 3-year degrees from accredited Indian institutions, but CSE requires a bachelor's or four-year equivalent. Check your department's own rule before you apply. See our guide to 3-year degrees in the USA.
2. Grades: the Graduate School's minimum is a B average (GPA 3.0). CSE says it has no strict minimum, but expects above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; admitted applicants average around 3.4. UB's international admissions office works out GPAs from non-US universities, and some departments may ask for a third-party transcript evaluation.
3. English: India is not on UB's list of exempt countries, so you need a test: TOEFL iBT 79 (4.0 on the new scale), IELTS 6.5, PTE Academic 55, Duolingo 120, or C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 185. Scores must be within two years of your start date. See our English test cut-offs guide.
4. GRE: optional for the MS in Computer Science.
5. Letters: one letter of recommendation for the MS (three for the PhD).
6. Application fee: $100, non-refundable.

Deadlines (MS Computer Science)

CSE's admissions FAQ lists:

CSE's admissions page also describes rolling admission with priority dates of 15 December (fall) and 15 October (spring), and a 1 May date for international applicants. To be safe, apply by early December for fall. After admission you still need your I-20 and a US visa appointment.

Popular Master's programs for Indian students

• MS in Computer Science and Engineering: GRE optional, one recommendation letter, fall and spring intakes, four-year degree required.

Compare UB with other US universities in our MS Computer Science in USA comparison.

Where you'll live

UB's financial form allows $24,900 a year for living expenses for a graduate student. See our guide to off-campus housing in the USA.

After you graduate

Whether you can use the 24-month STEM OPT extension depends on the CIP code printed on your I-20, which must be on the US government's STEM Designated Degree Program List. See our guides to OPT and STEM OPT and H-1B selection.

Who UB is a good fit for

• A strong choice if you have a 4-year degree, a GPA above 3.0, a TOEFL of 79 or IELTS of 6.5, can show $57,200 for the first year, and would rather not take the GRE.
• Think carefully if you have a 3-year degree and want Computer Science (CSE asks for a four-year equivalent), or you are relying on an assistantship to pay your fees.

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from these official University at Buffalo pages, checked on 22 October 2026:

• Student Accounts: fall 2026 non-resident full-time tuition and fees and fall 2026 overview (international student fee)
• 2026 International Applicant Financial Form, standard graduate (I-20)
• Student Health Insurance: international students
• Graduate School: general admission requirements
• CSE: admissions FAQ and graduate admissions

Fees and rules change. Always confirm on UB's own pages before you pay or apply.