EC vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmira College in Elmira, NY with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (2,757 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

EC vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC or SUNY-ESF? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than EC ($19,814 vs. $23,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 19.5% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($14,550 vs. $18,080).
• Elmira College is 319% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $29,673 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.1% higher at EC than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $16,713 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elmira College students is 230.8% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($28,780 vs. $8,699).

EC vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC or SUNY-ESF? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SUNY-ESF and EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elmira College (1240) is 20 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming EC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at SUNY-ESF (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

EC vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC and SUNY-ESF? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry earn a median of about $200 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.