Canisius University
Canisius University is a private nonprofit university in Buffalo, NY ranked #971 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of B, enrolling about 1,768 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 81.8%. Students most often pursue Computer Science and Accounting and Related Services.
Day to day, students benefit from a 11:1 student-faculty ratio, 80.0% first-year retention, and 70.7% six-year graduation. Coaches and faculty advisors weave in frequent check-ins, helping students translate ambition into steady progress.
Families typically invest $18,322, about $1,324 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -37.1%, roughly 122.4 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $46,089. That's about $2,401 higher than national results. It's well-suited to students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Canisius University Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Canisius University graduates 70.7% of students within six years and keeps 80.0% of first-year students. Affordability earns a B- compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Canisius University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $32,720 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $13,160 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $1,500 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $42,271 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 26.8% of Canisius University students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $12,369 to $23,259 depending on family income. Use Canisius University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $20,762/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $23,259/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $46,089
- 10-Year Median Earnings $46,089
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $19,000
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 71.4%
- Employment Rate 47.2%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Canisius University graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Canisius University vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Canisius University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Canisius University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Canisius University graduates earn $46,089 median, the -37.1% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
- SAT Math Not reported
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACTNot required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 1,768
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 80.0%
- Graduation Rate 70.7%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 11:1
How to Get Into Canisius University
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Canisius University requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 81.8%, Canisius University is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 81.8% acceptance rate, Canisius University is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Canisius University undergraduates. Health and Physical Education/Fitness, Accounting and Related Services, and Research and Experimental Psychology draw the most students.
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness 9.6%
- Accounting and Related Services 9.6%
- Research and Experimental Psychology 9.3%
- Zoology/Animal Biology 8.0%
- Finance and Financial Management Services 7.8%
- Biology, General 6.8%
See more majors
- Economics 4.5%
- Communication and Media Studies 4.4%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Computer Science $86,969
- 2. Accounting and Related Services $75,872
- 3. Economics $68,624
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Finance and Financial Management Services $67,796
- 5. Biology, General $64,805
- 6. Political Science and Government $62,462
- 7. Criminal Justice and Corrections $58,335
- 8. History $58,192
- 9. Health and Physical Education/Fitness $57,161
- 10. Business Administration, Management and Operations $56,527
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $96,181
- 2. Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degree) $81,899
- 3. Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degree) $65,585
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degree) $61,512
- 5. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degree) $58,960
- 6. Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Master's Degree) $57,896
- 7. Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degree) $54,978
- 8. Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degree) $53,082
- 9. Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degree) $52,428
- 10. Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degree) $47,986
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Computer Science grads earn $86,969—54% more than Business Administration, Management and Operations ($56,527). Graduate: Business Administration, Management and Operations programs lead with $96,181 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Canisius University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree, 85 graduates)
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degree, 70 graduates)
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degree, 64 graduates)
- Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degree, 64 graduates)
- Research and Experimental Psychology (Bachelor's Degree, 62 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (45 programs)▼
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Accounting and Related Services
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Zoology/Animal Biology
- Finance and Financial Management Services
- Biology, General
- Economics
- Communication and Media Studies
- Political Science and Government
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Marketing
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- English Language and Literature, General
- Journalism
- Computer Science
- Special Education and Teaching
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- History
- Sociology
- Human Services, General
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
- Chemistry
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Statistics
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
- Urban Studies/Affairs
- Philosophy
- International Relations and National Security Studies
- International Business
- Music
- Engineering, General
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
- Area Studies
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Social Sciences, General
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Physics
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Visual and Performing Arts, General
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Online Master's Degrees (16 programs)▼
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Accounting and Related Services
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Special Education and Teaching
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Public Health
- Education, General
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Applied Mathematics
- International Business
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (6 programs)▼
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Special Education and Teaching
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 1,768
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 50.5%
- Female Students 49.5%
- Caucasian 64.5%
- Asian 3.2%
- Hispanic 5.5%
- Black 12.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients 26.8%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Canisius University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Canisius University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Canisius University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Canisius University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Canisius University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Canisius University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Canisius University offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -37.1% ROI. Ranked #971 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $18,322 annual net price is moderately higher than state schools, offset somewhat by $46,089 median earnings. With 70.7% graduating within six years and 80.0% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Canisius University's Positioning
With a B grade and #971 ranking, Canisius University competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $18,322 annually, Canisius University charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 80.0% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $12,825 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The -37.1% ROI and $46,089 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $8,322+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Canisius University ranks #971 of 1973 institutions, with 686 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 70.7% six-year graduation rate sits 8.2 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 80.0% first-year retention is 3.2 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -37.1% return on investment is 122.4 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $46,089 run about 5% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $18,322 is roughly $1,588 lower than the national median of $19,910.
Helpfulness for Students
- 11:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 80.0% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 47.2% employment rate within three years sits 21.0 points below national outcomes.
- Pell participation at 26.8% trails the national share by 6.7 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
EDsmart rates Canisius University—a private nonprofit university in Buffalo, NY—at B overall. It appears at #971 in EDsmart's national list Grades by category break down as Completion B+, Support B+, Career Outcomes C, and Affordability B-.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
Student momentum is strong: 80.0% retention and 70.7% six-year graduation. EDsmart calculates the ROI at -37.1%, offering a quick value checkpoint.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $18,322 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $42,271.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $23,949 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $19,000 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 26.8% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $46,089 six years after enrollment. Compared with the national median, that's 5% higher.
Roughly 47.2% of graduates are employed three years out.
EDsmart lists the ROI at -37.1%, offering a quick read on value.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
81.8% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Canisius University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
Similar Schools
Institutions with similar academic profiles, selectivity, and outcomes
Nearby Schools
Other campuses you might consider
Other New York campuses you might consider
Contact Information
- Address Buffalo, NY 14208-1098
- Website www.canisius.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationMiddle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
- Endowment$155.7M
- Transfer Enrollment Rate20.6%