SUNY-ESF vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shenandoah University is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is located in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

SUNY-ESF vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-ESF or SU? 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 SU ($19,814 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 30.9% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($12,490 vs. $18,080).
• Shenandoah University is 297.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $27,647 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66% higher at SU than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $14,687 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 184.5% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($24,747 vs. $8,699).

SUNY-ESF vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY-ESF or SU? 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 SU and SUNY-ESF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (1220) is 100 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming SUNY-ESF students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-ESF - Test-free; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at SU (3.7).
• SU has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.6% at SUNY-ESF vs. 16.7% at SU.

SUNY-ESF vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-ESF and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($19,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($204 vs. $258).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 60%)

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.