University at Albany- SUNY vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare University at Albany in Albany, 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.

University at Albany is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• University at Albany 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: University at Albany 16:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany than SUNY-ESF ($17,949 vs. $19,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Albany are 9.2% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($16,423 vs. $18,080).
• University at Albany is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $1,563 more per year; $10,866.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.4% higher at University at Albany- SUNY than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $8,993 more per year; $31,256.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany as at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (96% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Albany students is 28.9% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($11,210 vs. $8,699).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany- SUNY.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Albany (1220) is the same as at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming SUNY-ESF students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at University at Albany- SUNY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 1120/1320; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027; 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 University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• University at Albany- SUNY has a higher acceptance rate (69.1%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany's (64%).
• Graduates from University at Albany earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,800 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $1,315 lower median loan debt than University at Albany- SUNY graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,065).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University at Albany- SUNY graduates ($204 vs. $217).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University at Albany- SUNY students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 70%)

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.