SUNY-ESF vs. Penn State York

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (2,757 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SUNY-ESF vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-ESF or Penn State York? 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 Penn State York than SUNY-ESF ($18,887 vs. $19,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York are 15.5% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($15,274 vs. $18,080).
• Penn State York is 63.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $5,905 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at Penn State York than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $3,129 more per year; $25,392.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at Penn State York (96% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State York students is 0.7% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($8,756 vs. $8,699).

SUNY-ESF vs. Penn State York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY-ESF or Penn State York? 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 Penn State York and SUNY-ESF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (1220) is 70 points higher than at Penn State York (1150).
• Incoming SUNY-ESF students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Penn State York).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300; Penn State York 1050/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30; Penn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-ESF - Test-free; Penn State York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.6% at SUNY-ESF vs. 10.7% at Penn State York.

SUNY-ESF vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-ESF and Penn State York? 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 Penn State York's (45%).
• Graduates from Penn State York earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $7,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State York graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State York graduates ($204 vs. $277).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 69%)

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.