Canisius
Canisius University
Canisius is a small private college in Buffalo, NY, with about 1,768 undergraduates. The school competes in the MAAC at the NCAA Division I level, fielding both men's and women's lacrosse programs. Acceptance is broad at 82%, with an average SAT of 1150. The school's six-year graduation rate is 71%.
Lacrosse Programs at Canisius
The Canisius women's lacrosse program competes at the NCAA Division I level in the MAAC. The team went 12-5 in the 2026 season. Recruit Plan currently ranks the program #93 nationally (Tier 6).
The Canisius men's lacrosse program competes at the NCAA Division I level in the MAAC. The team went 3-11 in the 2026 season. Recruit Plan currently ranks the program #96 nationally (Tier 6).
Where Canisius Lacrosse Recruits Come From
Canisius women's lacrosse added 59 tracked commits from 12 states over the classes of 2020–2027. New York — the program's home state — supplies the largest share, 28 of 59 commits. Club pipelines matter here: Monster, Empress, Major Force appear most often among tracked commits.
- New York28
- ON7
- Pennsylvania7
- Connecticut3
- New Jersey3
- Monster7
- Empress3
- Major Force3
- Relentless Hustle3
- Centercourt2
- Other4
- Webster Thomas3
- Archbishop Carroll2
Our data covers 104 men's lacrosse commitments to Canisius from 20 states across the classes of 2020–2027. The largest share arrives from New York (21 commits). This is a nationally recruited roster — only 20% of commits come from New York itself. Club pipelines matter here: JUICED CHERRIES, EDGE, SWEETLAX appear most often among tracked commits.
- New York21
- ON10
- Michigan8
- Pennsylvania8
- Colorado7
- JUICED CHERRIES7
- EDGE4
- SWEETLAX4
- TRUE INDIANA4
- 3D COLORADO3
Based on commitments tracked through the class of 2027. How this data is built
Related: where college lacrosse players come from, state by state
Who Gets Recruited to Play at Canisius
Of 60 tracked Canisius women's lacrosse commits with a Recruit Plan tier, the median recruit is Tier 6.
Of 104 tracked Canisius men's lacrosse commits with a Recruit Plan tier, the median recruit is Tier 5.
Academically, programs in this selectivity band typically look for a ~3.0+ unweighted GPA.
Related: what SAT and GPA college lacrosse players actually need
Program Trajectory
Canisius women's lacrosse is trending up among Division I programs: from #84 in 2023 to #81 in 2026 in our rating history.
Canisius men's lacrosse has held steady in our rating history among Division I programs: #72 in 2023, #71 in 2026.
Academic & School Profile
Canisius lists tuition at about $32,720 a year, before aid and scholarships. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,768. For recruits, sticker price rarely equals net price — bring cost and aid questions into coach conversations early.
Canisius Lacrosse FAQ
Does Canisius have a women's lacrosse program?
Yes — Canisius fields a women's lacrosse program. The program competes at the NCAA Division I level in the MAAC.
Does Canisius have a men's lacrosse program?
Yes — Canisius fields a men's lacrosse program. The program competes at the NCAA Division I level in the MAAC.
What states do Canisius lacrosse players come from?
Tracked men's lacrosse commits to Canisius came from 20 states, led by NY (21), ON (10), MI (8). About 20% are in-state recruits.
How many lacrosse players does Canisius recruit each year?
Across the 2024–2027 classes, our data tracks an average of about 13 men's lacrosse commits per class at Canisius. Actual roster needs vary year to year by position and graduation.
What GPA do you need to play lacrosse at Canisius?
There is no fixed cutoff, but selectivity sets the bar. Academically, programs in this selectivity band typically look for a ~3.0+ unweighted GPA. Coaches can sometimes support strong athletes below that band — grades widen or narrow your options.
Which club teams send players to Canisius?
Among tracked men's lacrosse commits, the most frequent feeder clubs are JUICED CHERRIES, EDGE, SWEETLAX. A club pipeline is a signal, not a requirement — coaches recruit from showcases and camps too.
Similar Programs
Data updated 2026-08-27 · methodology