Syracuse University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Syracuse, New York · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2025-2026

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2025-2026

  • Test-optional
  • Early Decision
  • Early Decision II
  • Early Action
46,645
Applicants
22,756
Admitted49%
3,969
Enrolled
17%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Selective49% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1350
Mid 50: 1300–1410
In-state tuition
$69,180
per year, before aid (CDS 2025-2026)
Net price (avg)
$38,793
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #72 in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #78 (tie), Business Programs #58 (tie), Computer Science #75 (tie), Economics #57 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Syracuse University (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.

Is Syracuse University a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

Syracuse University is a private nonprofit university in Syracuse, New York that admits about 49% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $38,793 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Economics, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 81% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Syracuse University is a private institution located in Syracuse, New York with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Syracuse University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 49%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1350 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $38,793 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Syracuse University?

72% of enrolled students at Syracuse University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.71, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
29.5%
3.75–3.99
20.4%
3.50–3.74
21.9%
3.25–3.49
15.0%
3.00–3.24
10.4%
2.50–2.99
2.4%
Below 2.50
0.4%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Syracuse University.

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What does Syracuse University weight in admissions?

Syracuse University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important

7
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities

Important

6
  • Class rank
  • Standardized test scores
  • First generation status
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest

Considered

3
  • Interview
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency

Not Considered

2
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Religious affiliation/commitment

How Syracuse University reads an application: what each weighting means for your child, plus waitlist, transfer and early-round odds

SAT and ACT scores Syracuse University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 630–720, with an EBRW midpoint near 650. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1300
50th percentile1350
75th percentile1410
% submitting SAT23%
ACT Composite
25th percentile29
50th percentile31
75th percentile33
% submitting ACT8%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Test-optional extended for Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 entry; merit scholarships open to all. Some programs have their own requirements (e.g. portfolios).
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Syracuse University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class36.1%
Top 25% of class68.6%
Top 50% of class91.8%
% submitting class rank19.7%

How much does Syracuse University actually cost?

Published tuition is $65,528 for in-state students and $65,528 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,188 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $38,793 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$69,180
Room and board$20,580
Average net price (after aid)$38,793
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need96%
Average need-based grant$48,257
Average merit award, no financial need1,233 first-year students received one$26,259
Graduates who borrowed47%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$39,532
Financial aid formsFAFSA and CSS Profile (incl. noncustodial parent)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee$85 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Syracuse University

Regular admission
Regular deadline1/5
Notification dateMid-March
Reply deadline5/1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 5
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)56%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from Syracuse University?

These predict outcomes at Syracuse University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
92.02%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
69.12%
finished on time
6-year graduation
80.51%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Syracuse University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Syracuse University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Economics. Across all programs, Syracuse University confers roughly 1,556 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $63,889 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Psychology, General265$63,889
Finance and Financial Management Services227$109,595
Economics226$82,376
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication198$83,644
Information Science/Studies188$101,251
Political Science and Government165$67,317
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness147$69,954
Communication and Media Studies140$64,144
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Syracuse University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Syracuse University disclosed 84 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 9 violent offenses and 15 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
84
5.4 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
9
0.58 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
15
0.97 per 1,000
Burglary
11
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 15,477 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Syracuse University?

About 51% of undergraduates at Syracuse University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 25% of men join a fraternity and 42% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
51%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
60%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
4%
of course sections
In fraternities
25%
of men
In sororities
42%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Syracuse University.

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Common questions parents ask about Syracuse University

What GPA do I need for Syracuse University?

72% of enrolled students at Syracuse University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.71, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Syracuse University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 630–720, with an EBRW midpoint near 650. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–32.

How much does Syracuse University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Syracuse University after grants and scholarships is $38,793 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $65,528. Budget against the net figure.

Is Syracuse University realistic for my child?

Syracuse University admits 49% of applicants, so 630–720 SAT Math is target range and below 630 is a reach. Then check the $38,793 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Syracuse University?

Syracuse University accepts about 49% of applicants out of roughly 46,645 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.

Is Syracuse University test-optional?

Yes. Syracuse University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Syracuse University?

About 81% of students at Syracuse University graduate within six years, and 69% finish in four years. 92% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Syracuse University?

Syracuse University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 56%, compared with its overall rate of 49%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.

What does Syracuse University look for in applicants?

Syracuse University rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and recommendations as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Syracuse University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Syracuse University is a private nonprofit institution located in Syracuse, New York.

What are the most popular majors at Syracuse University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Syracuse University by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Economics. The school awards about 1,556 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Syracuse University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Syracuse University reported 84 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Syracuse University?

At Syracuse University, 51% of undergraduates live on campus, 25% of men are in fraternities, 42% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Syracuse University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers