Admit rate has ranged 42%–69% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Syracuse University is a private research university where ambition meets school spirit—a place where Newhouse communications majors rub shoulders with future Wall Street traders, all under the shadow of the Carrier Dome. With a 46% acceptance rate, it's selective but not cutthroat, offering strong programs in business, engineering, and the liberal arts alongside a famously spirited campus culture. The university's 81% graduation rate and $130K median alumni salary a decade out prove its academic heft, though its $43K average net price demands serious financial planning.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
15,477
In-state tuition
$65,528
Out-of-state tuition
$65,528
Location
Syracuse, NY
Acceptance Rate
46%
Graduation Rate
81%
Financial Aid Recipients
38.5%
Median Alumni Salary (10 Yrs)
$130K
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$79,164
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.0×
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
Graduation rate
84%
First-year retention
90%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
79%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
19%
Endowment / student
$134,059
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Engineering$81,333
Information Science/Studies$67,101
Mechanical Engineering$66,989
Civil Engineering$66,653
Finance and Financial Management Services$64,087
Chemical Engineering$61,516
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
8
Per 1,000 students
0.52
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
89
Summer high
78°F
Winter low
21°F
Annual rain
53.3"
Annual snow
59.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
811
Scholarly works
76,467
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.9%
Bottom → top quintile
52%
From bottom quintile
6%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Syracuse University?
Syracuse University's acceptance rate is approximately 46% (Syracuse, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Syracuse University?
Admitted students at Syracuse University typically score 1270–1440 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Syracuse University cost?
At Syracuse University, the average net price (after aid) is about $38,793 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Syracuse University?
Syracuse University enrolls approximately 15,477 undergraduate students.
Where is Syracuse University located?
Syracuse University is located in Syracuse, NY.
Admissions
Syracuse's admissions process is selective but not elite, with a 46% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. from over 44,000 applicants ([CollegeData](https://www.collegedata.com/college-search/Syracuse-University), [Niche](https://www.niche.com/colleges/syracuse-university/admissions/)). Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. through at least 2028 ([Syracuse Admissions](https://www.syracuse.edu/admissions-aid/application-process/undergraduate/what-we-look-for/)), enrolled students typically show SAT scores between 1270-1440 or ACT scores of 29-32 ([CollegeVine](https://blog.collegevine.com/what-does-it-take-to-get-into-syracuse-university)). The Newhouse School of Communications is notably more competitive, with a 10% acceptance rate ([Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/SyracuseU/comments/1fpz39s/syracuse_admissions/)). Admissions officers weigh rigor of coursework and GPA (average 3.8) most heavily, while considering extracurriculars and essays as 'important' but not dealbreakers ([Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch5QPmPp8XC/)).
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Accounting and Related Services
$61,303
Special Education and Teaching$57,318
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Syracuse offers 600+ programs across its 13 schools, with particular strength in communications (Newhouse), business (Whitman), and engineering ([Syracuse Academics](https://www.syracuse.edu/academics/)). The most popular majors include journalism, social sciences, and business management ([US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/syracuse-university-2882/academics)). Students praise the applied learning focus—expect case competitions, tech commercialization projects, and Syracuse Abroad programs in 60+ countries ([Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/SyracuseU/comments/1bn6gbr/whats_so_great_about_syracuse/)). The university operates as a research powerhouse (R1 classification) with $180M+ in annual research expenditures, though some note large introductory lectures in popular majors ([Quora](https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-strongest-academic-programs-at-Syracuse-University)).
Life at Syracuse orbits around school spirit (think Orange basketball games at the Carrier Dome) and a vibrant Greek scene (30% participation). The 683-acre campus mixes Collegiate Gothic and modern architecture, with students split between main campus and South Campus housing ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse_University), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khwlwQ3X9h0)). Reviews highlight a work-hard-play-hard culture: 'Thursday nights at Faegan’s Pub are sacred, but so are Newhouse portfolio reviews' ([Niche](https://www.niche.com/colleges/syracuse-university/campus-life/)). With 300+ clubs and Division I athletics, there's no shortage of ways to get involved—though some note the upstate NY winters require serious bundling ([Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/SyracuseU/comments/1c7m9cc/life_at_syracuse/)).
Syracuse delivers strong ROI: 81% graduate in 6 years (top 15% nationally) ([HigherEd Outcomes](http://www.higheredoutcomes.com/report/graduation-rate-outcomes-summary?field_ins_sector_target_id_1=All&field_ins_state_target_id=All&title=&order=field_gr_100&sort=asc&page=158)), with 92% of employed grads landing roles aligned to their goals within six months ([Syracuse Outcomes](https://www.syracuse.edu/admissions-aid/why-syracuse-university/degree-outcomes/)). The median salary 10 years post-graduation is $130K (Forbes via [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/thedailyorange/posts/forbes-reported-the-median-salary-10-years-after-graduation-from-syracuse-univer/1376598237044017/)), though early-career earnings average $36K ([Niche](https://www.niche.com/colleges/syracuse-university/after-college/)). Newhouse grads dominate NYC media circles, while Whitman School alumni populate Wall Street—20% of students pursue further education immediately ([Career Services](https://careerservices.syr.edu/student-outcomes-reports/)).
Syracuse is pricey but generous: the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. is $43,651 after aid ([MeetYourClass](https://www.meetyourclass.com/syracuse/cost)), with 38.5% of students receiving assistance averaging $52K ([BigFuture](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/syracuse-university/tuition-and-costs)). The university meets 85% of demonstrated need, though families earning under $60K may still face $15K+ in annual costs ([Syracuse Financial Aid](https://www.syracuse.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees/undergraduate-costs/)). Merit scholarships are competitive—the Chancellor’s Scholarship covers half tuition for top applicants. Pro tip: Use Syracuse's [Net Price Calculator](https://www.syracuse.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees/undergraduate-costs/net-price-calculator/) for a personalized estimate, as costs vary widely by household income.
Syracuse carves a unique niche as a research university with the soul of a spirited liberal arts college. Its Newhouse School is a media pipeline rivaling Northwestern, while Whitman’s Wall Street prep rivals larger business schools. The campus culture—equal parts academic hustle and Orange pride—creates a tight-knit community where future journalists, engineers, and entrepreneurs bond over basketball games and snowball fights. With strong alumni networks in NYC and D.C., Syracuse offers East Coast career access without Ivy-level pretension. Just pack your parka—those upstate winters are no joke.
Gallery
Syracuse University logo · sourceVisitor Tips - Syracuse University · sourceCampus Map - Syracuse University · sourceAn Orange Bucket List: Things to Do on the Syracuse University Campus · source
