Rutgers vs. Syracuse

Should I go to Rutgers University New Brunswick or Syracuse University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Rutgers or Syracuse is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Rutgers University New Brunswick vs. Syracuse University comparison
Rutgers University New Brunswick Syracuse University College 3 College 4
Rutgers University New Brunswick Syracuse University
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Overview

 Rutgers Syracuse
Location New Brunswick, NJ Syracuse, NY
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 50,617 22,948
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #113 #160
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rutgers.edu syr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Rutgers Syracuse
Tuition (In State) $13,674 $61,310
Tuition (Out of State) $32,436 $61,310
Room & Board $14,715 $18,444
Avg Net Price $19,052 $51,520
Avg Grant Aid $16,249 $29,110
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 82%

Admission

 Rutgers Syracuse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 43,347 42,089
Admitted 28,326 17,545
Acceptance Rate 65.3% 41.7%
Enrolled % 27.1% 20.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.69
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 28/33 28/32
SAT Range 1270/1480 1260/1430
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2026

Academics

 Rutgers Syracuse
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

 Rutgers Syracuse
Graduation Rate 77% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,200 $65,900
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,215 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $229 $279

Diversity

 Rutgers Syracuse
% Men 10% 14%
% Women 18% 17%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 42% 55%
% Black 7% 8%
% Hispanic 13% 11%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 7% 12%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 Rutgers Syracuse
% In-State 84% 32%
% Out-of-State 8% 57%

Campus

 Rutgers Syracuse
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than than Syracuse based on total student enrollment (50,617 students vs. 22,948 students)

Rutgers vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers or Syracuse?

  • Syracuse University is 348.4% more expensive to attend than Rutgers for in-state tuition ($61,310.00 vs. $13,674.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89% higher at Syracuse than Rutgers University New Brunswick ($61,310.00 vs. $32,436.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rutgers University New Brunswick than Syracuse ($19,052 vs. $51,520)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 25.3% lower than costs at Syracuse University ($14,715 vs. $18,444)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Syracuse University than Rutgers University New Brunswick (82% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Syracuse University students is 79.1% larger than aid received Rutgers University New Brunswick ($29,110 vs. $16,249)

Rutgers vs. Syracuse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers or Syracuse? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Syracuse or Rutgers .

  • The average SAT score at Rutgers University New Brunswick (1225) is 30 points higher than at Syracuse (1195)
  • Accepted freshman Syracuse students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Rutgers (3.3)
  • Rutgers has a higher acceptance rate (65.3%) than Syracuse (41.7%)

Rutgers vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rutgers or Syracuse? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Syracuse and Rutgers.

  • The graduation rate at Syracuse is higher than Rutgers University New Brunswick (80% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn on average $300 more per year than Syracuse graduates after ten years. ($66,200 vs. $65,900)
  • Rutgers University New Brunswick students graduate with a $4,785 lower median federal student loan debt than Syracuse graduates. ($22,215 vs. $27,000)
  • Rutgers graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than Syracuse graduates. ($229 vs. $279)
  • More Syracuse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/