I'm not sure about the program at Niagara, I know one classmate who went to Niagara (does have a bachelor). At UB it's called "early assurance", where you go to UB right out of highschool (50% of my classmates), declare "pre-pharmacy" on the admission application, and after 3 years of pre-req completion, you pretty much get in with a
3.3 GPA (for the 3+4 option). GPA is calculated based on pre-req classes only. I've heard students say the GPA requirement is strictly adhered to, since that's the only criterion for early assurance student (aka a 3.29 will not round up), and there's no leeway. If you have the GPA and complete all of your pre-req, you most likely will get in; the interview is just a formality.
You should talk to people over at Niagara to make sure what they're talking about is the same "early assurance" program, aka
if you make the GPA, you're in, a form of guaranteed admission.
Ask them whether you need to take the PCAT, apply through PharmCAS, and whether your admission depends solely on GPA, or do other factors (extracurricular, research, work experience, etc.) count?
If they tell you with a bachelor from Niagara you still have to apply through PharmCAS (aka no guaranteed admission), then I'd say where you go for undergrad. does not matter. Pick the undergrad. school of your choice, complete all your pre-req there, then apply to UB
As for which one is the better fit, you should visit the campuses to have a feel. As far as the pre-professional years goes, I'd imagine Niagara and Albany have a similar feel because they're both private (which means you'll most likely receive more help if you need it, a more intimate feel, get to know your classmates better, etc.) For professional, our class size is ~ 130, which is an average size, not too big.
