Syracuse University
A good fit for students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $69,200 within 10 years; strong 84% graduation rate.
About This School
Syracuse University is a private nonprofit institution located in Syracuse, New York with approximately 15,477 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 46% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $38,793 per year. The graduation rate is 84%, and the typical graduate earns $69,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
Syracuse University is a private research university in Syracuse, New York, United States. It was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920. Located in the city's University Hill neighborhood, east and southeast of downtown Syracuse, the large campus features an eclectic mix of architecture, ranging from nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival to contemporary buildings. Syracuse University is organized into 13 schools and colleges and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
Worth considering if you're drawn to strong professional programs — especially communications, architecture, or business — at a mid-sized research university with real name recognition. The 91% freshman retention rate and 81% graduation rate signal that most students who start here finish, and median earnings of $69,200 a decade out are solid. The main concern is cost: $41,026/year after aid is steep, and families should run the net price calculator carefully before committing.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 16% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Syracuse University graduates earn most above the national rate in Finance and Financial Management Services ($120,274 vs $83,343 nationally).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 262 | $65,694 | $50,706 | +$14,988 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 235 | $68,219 | $54,562 | +$13,657 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 218 | $90,535 | $63,560 | +$26,975 |
| Economics | 199 | $83,649 | $82,686 | +$963 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 168 | $120,274 | $83,343 | +$36,931 |
| Information Science/Studies | 166 | $104,842 | $85,294 | +$19,548 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 145 | $76,367 | $70,074 | +$6,293 |
| Political Science and Government | 141 | $75,239 | $63,293 | +$11,946 |
| Marketing | 140 | $91,235 | $69,303 | +$21,932 |
| Journalism | 139 | $70,404 | $56,278 | +$14,126 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 118 | $70,815 | $50,497 | +$20,318 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 113 | $70,106 | $56,359 | +$13,747 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (15,477 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Syracuse University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Syracuse University?
Syracuse University has an acceptance rate of 46%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Syracuse University hard to get into?
Syracuse University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 46%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Syracuse University cost?
The average net price at Syracuse University is about $38,793 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Syracuse University?
Syracuse University has a graduation rate of 84%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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