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Buffalo , NY
Canisius College is a private Jesuit college located in Buffalo, New York. Established in 1870, the college offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs and has gained a reputation for academic excellence. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, students benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention from professors.
The college is well-known for its strong emphasis on a liberal arts education, providing students with a solid foundation in critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills. Canisius College offers more than 100 majors, minors, and special programs, including business, education, health and human services, arts and sciences, and computer science. Students also have the opportunity to engage in research and internships in their areas of interest, gaining hands-on experience that enhances their academic learning.
Beyond academics, Canisius College offers a vibrant campus life with a range of student organizations and clubs, intramural sports, and community service projects. The college's strong commitment to service is evident in its Ignatian-inspired mission, which encourages students to become men and women for others and make a positive impact in their local and global communities. With a rich history, strong academics, and a commitment to service, Canisius College provides a nurturing environment for students to grow academically, personally, and professionally.
Located in Buffalo, NY and set in an urban environment, Canisius University is a private four-year college. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 72%. The freshman retention rate at Canisius University is 73% and the six-year graduation rate is 66%.
Here are some essential information on important things to consider about Canisius University.
Quick Facts
1,724
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$33,330
Tuition
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
66%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Learn some important info about admission at Canisius University.
In 2025, the school accepted 3,016 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.3. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Canisius University was 73% in 2025, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 66%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best choice for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Canisius University in 2025 was 2,451.
That year, the school had 16% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,724, 105 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 88.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,013 male and 1,066 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 59, and the number of Black American students was 233. 96 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 59 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 9 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 52 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Canisius University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $33,330 in 2025. Canisius University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $2,200 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated expense of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At Canisius University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $15,240. If you only wanted a dorm room, it cost $8,310 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $5,000.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 33,330 |
| Room and Board | $ 15,240 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 49,770 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Canisius University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 294 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $30,667.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
1,042 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Canisius University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,049. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $3,910,038, and state $2,003,875. The students of Canisius University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $16,935,948, and external in the amount of $255,110.
$16,579
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 491 students overall (including freshmen) at Canisius University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 119 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $3,910,038 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $16,693. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $6,308,660. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $82,893 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Canisius University was 11:1: that means 11 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 254 teachers at this school. This number included 140 male and 114 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about students' life at Canisius University.
Its campus is 72 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 140 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 1% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 1 for female students. The most popular student organization is Pre-Health Professionals, followed by Residence Hall Association and Zoological Society. Other popular organizations at Canisius University are Afro-American Society and C-Block.
Students who like music can join the Canisius University band or chorus. For those interested in acting, there is a drama club you can become part of. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Canisius University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Canisius University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Canisius University.
All in all, campus life at Canisius University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Canisius University.
Career Counselling
There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Canisius University is located in Buffalo, NY.
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Canisius University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for Canisius University is 33,330 USD a year.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Canisius University is 72%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Canisius University is 73%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.