Boasting a thriving graduate landscape spanning academic disciplines, Buffalo stands out as premier destination for Master‘s programs in New York state and beyond. Students flock to the over 20 universities and colleges located in the Buffalo-Niagra region to enroll in renowned and affordable graduate programs known for driving career success.
Graduate students make up 20% of Buffalo‘s total university enrollment, attracted by strong reputations, innovative degree offerings, hands-on learning and unbeatable value. U.S. News and World Report consistently recognizes local institutions like the University at Buffalo, Canisius College, Daemen College and more as top graduate schools both regionally and nationally across focus areas.
Beyond the classroom, Buffalo offers an unmatched quality of life for the graduate student lifestyle. The low cost of living means scholarship and fellowship dollars stretch further while enabling students to explore the region‘s rich culture, dining and entertainment offerings. Due to hefty investments from New York state and local organizations aimed to make Buffalo a hub for young professionals, graduate students also benefit from a thriving startup ecosystem, internship and job opportunities with major employers, and networking events that connect them to local leaders.
In this guide, we will explore many of Buffalo‘s standout graduate programs fueling individual success stories and collectively enhancing the community. By combining high-caliber academics, applied learning opportunities, reasonable tuition rates and an engaging student experience, Buffalo graduate schools deliver tremendous value and offer prime launching pads for career advancement.
Why Pursue a Master‘s Degree?
Before highlighting specifics of Buffalo‘s top graduate school offerings, let‘s review the multitude of reasons why pursuing masters studies can be a worthwhile investment.
Individuals who hold advanced degrees beyond a bachelor‘s degree tend to open up additional job opportunities, secure higher salaries, and progress more swiftly in chosen career paths. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings for Americans with master‘s degrees rests at $1,497 compared to $1,248 for those with a bachelor‘s alone. That equals nearly a $13,000 positive difference over the course of a year.
Further, the unemployment rate of individuals with master‘s degrees typically hovers around 2% compared to nearly 4% for those holding bachelor‘s degrees. Greater career stability is a hugely valuable offshoot of advanced education.
Earning a master‘s degree also provides advantages like:
- Specialized knowledge and training to help you excel and assume leadership roles in your industry
- Advanced analytical, communication and critical thinking abilities
- Flexibility to take your career in new directions
- Networking with like-minded peers who will become valuable professional contacts
- Sense of achievement and pride after completing rigorous graduate-level coursework
Now let‘s explore some of Buffalo‘s standout graduate programs fueling individual success stories and collective community growth:
Top Business Masters Programs
Business masters programs provide advanced management strategies coupled with specialized expertise
Business remains one of the most popular graduate disciplines, equipping students with sought-after leadership abilities. Buffalo happens to shine when it comes to offering acclaimed, flexible and affordable business master‘s programs.
An analysis by higher education experts ranks the University at Buffalo School of Management as the #1 MBA program in New York based on post-graduate salary potential. UB MBA grads secure median starting salaries of $65,000 with 90% percent employed within three months of graduation.
UB allows students to customize their MBA through 16 different concentrations and ample experiential learning, including a high-caliber internship program. Over 500 corporate partners provide real-world projects that enable students to put developing business expertise into practice.
Canisius College‘s Richard J. Wehle School of Business holds accreditation from AACSB International, earned by just 5% of global business institutions. Its MBA curriculum strategically integrates ethical business foundations and leadership training. With small class sizes, students receive highly personalized instruction and support.
Medaille College takes a practical approach through its MBA program administered fully online. Course modules dive into areas like project management, quality systems management and maximizing organizational performance.
See the table below analyzing key attributes of these top programs side-by-side:
| Institution | Cost Per Credit | Program Formats | Total Program Credits | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UB School of Management | $889-$1500 | In-person or online | 46-64 | 1-3 years |
| Canisius (Wehle School of Business) | $895 | In-person or online | 36 | 1-2 years |
| Medaille College | $720 | Online | 30-36 | 1-2 years |
From global business strategies to harnessing big data, Buffalo institutions equip students with cutting-edge and specialized business training matched to individual interests.
hands-on learning opportunities and reasonable tuition make Buffalo a top-value destination for earning a powerful business master‘s degree.
Top Healthcare & Nursing Masters Programs
Nursing and healthcare administration masters programs prepare specialized leaders for the rapidly growing industry
With expanding healthcare needs, nursing and healthcare administration graduate programs have become increasingly valuable for career advancement. These specialized degrees allow working professionals to assume greater leadership duties while advancing skills.
At D‘Youville College, students praise the MSN program for its affordability, flexibility for working nurses and supportive faculty. In addition to core MSN coursework, students customize their training through concentrations like adult gerontology, family nurse practitioner and nursing administration. Hands-on clinical practicum hours completed at regional healthcare partners provide vital on-site training.
D‘Youville also shines with its graduate-level Physician Assistant program. Students immerse in intensive medical training over seven consecutive semesters, prepping to provide healthcare services in collaboration with licensed doctors.
Daemen College takes an interdisciplinary approach through its innovative MS in global health program. Students analyze complex worldwide health issues while building cultural competencies critical for the field. Practicum opportunities through Daemen‘s institutes allow students to get involved with community education and outreach.
Thanks to smaller cohort models, nursing graduate students form tight-knit communities and find support amongst peers facing similar rigor and intensity. Experts consider graduates exceptionally well-prepared to provide advanced patient care while leading healthcare teams and organizations.
| Institution | Cost Per Credit | Program Formats | Total Program Credits | Program Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D‘Youville College MSN | $745 | In-person | 30-47 | 1-2 years |
| D‘Youville Physician Assistant | $770 | In-person | 128.5 | 3 years |
| Daemen College MS Global Health | $840 | In-person or online | 33 | 2 years |
With stellar faculty, hands-on training opportunities, and strong focus on community health, Buffalo institutions enable students to grow into specialized leaders improving regional and worldwide healthcare.
Spotlight: SUNY Buffalo State International Center for Studies in Creativity
Unique to Western New York, SUNY Buffalo State‘s International Center for Studies in Creativity has garnered worldwide attention since its founding in 1967 for approaching creativity as a methodologically-driven process that can impact all disciplines.
The Center‘s Master of Science in Creative Studies aims to equip leaders with skills to facilitate innovation within organizations. Small by design, the program accepts no more than 32 students each year, allowing deep bonds to form amongst cohorts.
Current students and alumni describe the program as "life changing" in pushing innovative thinking and sparking unforeseen new directions personally and professionally. Through a customized curriculum, capstone project and access to distinguished faculty researchers, students enjoy incredible flexibility to tailor studies to individual interests.
Recent graduates have gone on to launch vibrant consulting practices, introduce creativity training into Fortune 500 companies, publish groundbreaking theoretical work, and facilitate radical improvements in systems such as medical care, education and more through fresh models.
Acknowledged as pioneers in the academic study of creativity, SUNY Buffalo State‘s International Center for Studies in Creativity represents the best of Buffalo‘s innovative graduate school landscape. Its graduates exemplify the immense impact that can occur when graduate students come together across sectors and specialty areas to nurture inventive mindsets and progress industries forward.
Insights into Graduate Student Life in Buffalo
To provide firsthand insights into pursuing a Master‘s degree in Buffalo, we spoke with current students and recent graduates:
"Buffalo is an extremely livable city for graduate students. I can walk to campus and affordable housing options while also taking advantage of green space, a thriving culinary scene, festivals and so much more." – Chris D., SUNY Buffalo State Creative Studies MA Candidate
"The small cohort model has allowed me to form close friendships that make the intensity and rigor of grad school manageable through solidarity and peer support." – Zara K., D‘Youville FNP Master‘s Graduate
"Buffalo is undergoing an entrepreneurial renaissance, so there are ample opportunities for students interested in startups or innovation to get involved in the local ecosystem. Professors also actively help connect students as a pipeline for employment or partnership." – Matt B., University at Buffalo MBA Graduate
Between cave of books pizzas fueled late night study sessions and weekend explorations of parks, art galleries and music events, Buffalo offers an unbeatable lifestyle for serious graduate students to form meaningful connections. The community recognizes graduate students as vital contributors powering regional advancements.
Applying to Graduate Programs in Buffalo
When researching which Buffalo graduate programs align to individual goals and interests, experts emphasize first reflecting deeply on priorities for learning formats, academic focus, mentoring models and more.
Utilize program websites, information sessions and campus visits to gather key details around curriculum specifics, teaching approaches, research centers, thesis requirements, graduation rates and other factors.
Where possible, connect with current students or alumni to gain authentic insider advice. Review what support systems are available for academic, professional and personal needs. Understanding culture around rigor, collaboration opportunities, competition levels or tight-knit cohort models can help determine fit.
Assess how programs deliver not just raw academic knowledge, but specialized expertise and hands-on training that translates directly into career advancement. Determine opportunities for networking, internships, assistantships and other pathways to begin contributing professionally while fulfilling graduate studies.
Competitiveness for Buffalo graduate programs varies by discipline, but application must-haves tend to include:
- Strong personal statement conveying aligned interests and qualifications
- High GPA and entrance exam scores
- Robust letters of recommendation
Applying early can maximize access to funding opportunities through assistantships, scholarships and grants. Investing the time into finding the right program match means you‘ll be set up for success upon acceptance as you take the next step towards elevating your career capabilities.
The Takeaway
Without question, Buffalo graduate school programs deliver excellence coupled with reasonable tuition rates – a combination that provides remarkable value while leading students to rewarding outcomes.
World-class academics, pioneers in emerging disciplines like creativity studies, mutually supportive graduate communities, access to major employers through research centers and partnerships, and vibrant lifestyle offerings make Buffalo a top-tier destination for Master‘s studies.
Whether seeking to grow specialized expertise to advance professionally, access groundbreaking research transforming industries, or contribute innovations bettering society, Buffalo allows graduate students to make an immense impact in their disciplines and local community.