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Canisius University

#1218 in US ranking Buffalo, NY
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$45,546
Tuition & fees
$35,530
Avg. aid
$22,478
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
72%
Avg. SAT
1150
Avg. ACT
28

Outcomes

Graduation rate
66%
Median salary
$43,476
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Canisius University?

Canisius University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from any accreditation or approval attached to an individual academic program.

This status matters for access to federal student aid and is one factor another institution may consider when reviewing transfer credits. It does not guarantee that a receiving college will accept a particular course. Students entering fields with licensing or certification requirements, especially teacher preparation, should verify the current approval status and requirements of their specific program and the state where they intend to practice.

What are the admission requirements at Canisius University?

First-year admission to Canisius is selective rather than open admission. Applicants generally submit an undergraduate application and secondary-school academic records; the university considers high school GPA and expects preparation for college-level coursework.

In the reported first-year admissions cycle, Canisius admitted 3,021 of 4,175 applicants, an acceptance rate of about 72%. That figure describes a past applicant pool, not an individual applicant's chances. SAT and ACT scores are neither required nor recommended in the reported admissions criteria. Recommendations and class rank may be considered but are not required. Applicants using a high school equivalency credential, as well as international applicants who must demonstrate English proficiency, should follow the instructions for their applicant category; reported criteria identify TOEFL as required for applicable students.

Requirements can differ for graduate degrees and specialized undergraduate pathways. Before submitting an application, applicants should confirm the current term's deadlines, document checklist, and any program-specific standards in the university's admissions materials.

What are the application fees and waivers at Canisius University?

An application fee, if charged for an applicant's chosen Canisius application route, is separate from tuition and any enrollment deposit. Applicants should check the fee displayed before submitting the current application, because fees and waiver arrangements can differ by applicant category and application method.

Students who may qualify for a need-based fee waiver should address it during the application process rather than assuming a payment can be refunded afterward. Undergraduate, transfer, and graduate applicants should use the instructions for their own application route; a waived application fee does not necessarily waive later deposits or program charges.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Canisius University?

Army ROTC is available on the Canisius campus. It offers students an academic and leadership-training route to consider alongside their degree, but joining a class, receiving a scholarship, and accepting a military service commitment are separate decisions.

Students interested in Army ROTC should discuss course scheduling, physical and medical standards, scholarship eligibility, and potential post-graduation obligations with the ROTC program before committing. Applicants seeking Air Force or Navy ROTC should verify any current cross-enrollment arrangement with the relevant host unit rather than assuming that Canisius operates those branches on campus.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Canisius University?

Canisius accepts transfer applicants for fall and spring entry. A transfer application is evaluated separately from the question of how many previously earned credits will count toward a particular Canisius degree.

Applicants should prepare official transcripts from every college attended and follow any instructions that apply to their high school record or intended major. Reported credit options include Advanced Placement, CLEP examinations, and credit evaluated under American Council on Education recommendations; eligibility and application toward a degree depend on university policy and the relevant program. A course can be accepted for elective credit without satisfying a major requirement.

Before enrolling, transfer students should request an official evaluation showing how their completed courses apply to general education, their major, and total degree credits. They should also check the current catalog's minimum credits-in-residence rule and any program-specific progression requirements. Those details can affect time to graduation even when a substantial number of credits transfer.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Canisius University?

Canisius students can explore study abroad as part of an undergraduate education, including longer academic-term options and shorter programs when offered. The available destinations, providers, and course choices can change from year to year.

Students should arrange academic approval before departure so they know how overseas coursework will meet major, elective, or graduation requirements. They should also compare the full program budget - not just tuition - with airfare, housing, insurance, and personal expenses. Whether existing scholarships or federal aid can be used depends on the approved program and the student's aid eligibility; study abroad advising and financial aid staff can clarify those rules before a student makes a nonrefundable commitment.

Canisius University Admissions Factors

Avg. SAT
1150
Avg. ACT
28
Acceptance rate
72%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
72%
New York
72%
US
78%

13% of admitted students enrolled (397 of 3,021)

Canisius University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 4,175
Admission
Total: 3,021
Enrolled
Total: 397
Women
Men

How to Apply to Canisius University

Early Decision

No

Early Action

Yes, deadline December 1

Canisius University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 306
Out-of-state: 60
International: 31

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 397
Transfer: 88

Canisius University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1150

Median composite ACT score

28

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Neither required nor recommended

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Preferential admissions consideration text

Not applicable

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

No

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Canisius University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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