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Syracuse University
Syracuse University admits a bit under 50% of applicants; strong grades put you in the conversation at Syracuse University, and the data below says what "strong" means.
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Syracuse University sits in Syracuse proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. International students are a visible presence here — 9.1% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Computer and Information Sciences, General, where graduates median $120,773 four years out. 17.1% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 15,477 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 90.1% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1260 and 1430 — above the NY middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Syracuse University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Syracuse University received 42,089 applications and admitted 17,545 (41.7%), with 3,672 enrolling.
Syracuse University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1260–1430 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Syracuse University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 630 | 670 | 710 |
| SAT Math | 630 | 670 | 720 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 30 | 32 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Syracuse University compares
| Syracuse University | New York median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 45.9% | 70.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $65,528 | $17,408 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $79,164 | $60,236 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Syracuse University: $79,164 median at year ten, versus $60,236 across New York institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $65,528 regardless of where you're from. At Syracuse University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
Syracuse University is a big school: 15,477 undergraduates at last count.
83.6% of Syracuse University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 28.8 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $65,528 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Syracuse University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $120,773 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $120,274 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $112,682 |
| Computer Engineering | $110,988 |
| Information Science/Studies | $104,842 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $99,521 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $91,472 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,438 |
| Marketing | $91,235 |
| Real Estate | $90,764 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $90,535 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $90,470 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | $90,210 |
| Public Administration | $89,732 |
| Civil Engineering | $88,996 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $87,851 |
| Biotechnology | $87,596 |
| Chemical Engineering | $87,529 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $84,654 |
| Economics | $83,649 |
| Mathematics | $81,941 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $76,367 |
| Political Science and Government | $75,239 |
| Geography and Cartography | $71,543 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $71,527 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $70,815 |
| Journalism | $70,404 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $70,106 |
| Public Health | $69,776 |
| Security Science and Technology | $69,491 |
| Human Services, General | $68,314 |
| Biology, General | $68,283 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $68,219 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $68,049 |
| Chemistry | $68,017 |
| Interior Architecture | $67,227 |
| Sociology | $67,044 |
| Psychology, General | $65,694 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $65,410 |
| History | $64,871 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $62,864 |
| Education, General | $62,372 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $61,819 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $61,159 |
| Social Work | $60,920 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $60,602 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $58,038 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $56,485 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $54,115 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $54,088 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $53,522 |
| Anthropology | $53,196 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $44,045 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,988 |
Median earnings for these 54 Syracuse University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $79,164 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 27 additional Syracuse University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Syracuse University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1260–1430 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 45.9% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Syracuse University's acceptance rate?
41.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 17,545 admitted from 42,089 applicants.
How much does Syracuse University cost?
At Syracuse University, published tuition is $65,528 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Syracuse University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Syracuse University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $79,164 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in New York
- State University of New York at Cortland — 59.8% admitted
- Stony Brook University — 49% admitted
- Binghamton University — 38.6% admitted
- Union College — 43.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.