SUNY Cortland vs. Syracuse

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY with Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Syracuse University is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (22,589 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Syracuse University is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Syracuse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; Syracuse University 15:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland or Syracuse? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than Syracuse ($19,847 vs. $48,215).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 18.9% lower than at Syracuse University ($15,560 vs. $19,188).
• Syracuse University is 638.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $56,654 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 248.9% higher at Syracuse than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $46,744 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Syracuse University than at State University of New York at Cortland (76% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Syracuse University students is 341.2% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($36,417 vs. $8,254).

SUNY Cortland vs. Syracuse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Cortland or Syracuse? 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 Syracuse and SUNY Cortland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Syracuse University (1360) is 190 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Syracuse students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; Syracuse University 1270/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27; Syracuse University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; Syracuse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Syracuse Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Syracuse (3.69).
• SUNY Cortland has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than Syracuse (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 18.8% at Syracuse.

SUNY Cortland vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland and Syracuse? 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).

• Syracuse University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from Syracuse University earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,900 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Syracuse graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Syracuse graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Syracuse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 75%)

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.