[6][5] Eighty-six students attended the Buffalo Normal School on the first day of classes on September 13, 1871.

The WWII years were another time of growth for the college; in 1944, the now renowned Special Education program was founded and in 1948, the first dormitory building was erected where the present-day Moot Hall is located.

In 1964, the Buffalo State University Planetarium opened its doors with a 24-foot dome, and Dr. James Orgren became the facility's director in 1966.

On November 17, 1978, a fire destroyed the facility, but the community's generosity allowed it to reopen on April 18, 1980.

Through 2010–2012, staff members Tim Collins, Stephen Dubois and Terry Farrell created several programs.

In 2015, a generous donation allowed the planetarium to reopen with a temporary 20-foot inflatable fulldome system.

[9] Buffalo State has 79 undergraduate majors with 11 honors options and 64 opportunities for graduate study, including 11 teacher certification programs.

Others include: Buffalo State was ranked 31 in the category Top Public Schools Regional Universities (North) by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges 2012."

When all public and private institutions are included, Buffalo State is ranked 110 in the Top Regional Universities (North) Tier 1, as of 2016.

USG manages and disperses money provided by the mandatory student activity fee to the many organizations and clubs on campus.

[23] Buffalo State has an Inter-Greek Association to support the operation of fraternities and sororities on campus.

[24] The campus's Burchfield Penney Art Center, founded in 1966, moved to its new $33 million facility in 2008.