Rutgers vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

Rutgers vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers 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 Rutgers ($19,814 vs. $20,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 13.1% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($15,714 vs. $18,080).
• Rutgers University New Brunswick is 92.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $8,626 more per year; $17,929.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.2% higher at Rutgers than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $15,178 more per year; $37,441.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (96% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students is 92.5% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($16,742 vs. $8,699).

Rutgers vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers 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 Rutgers.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University New Brunswick (1410) is 190 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Rutgers students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Rutgers (3.3).
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Rutgers (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Rutgers vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

Rutgers vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers 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).

• Rutgers University New Brunswick's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $2,465 lower median loan debt than Rutgers graduates ($19,750 vs. $22,215).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rutgers graduates ($204 vs. $229).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 68%)

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.