SUNY-ESF vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (3,333 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); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

SUNY-ESF vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-ESF or Purchase College? 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 at Purchase College than SUNY-ESF ($18,211 vs. $19,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 9.1% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($16,436 vs. $18,080).
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $350 more per year; $9,303.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at SUNY-ESF than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $3,060 more per year; $22,263.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at SUNY at Purchase College (96% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students is 19.9% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($10,432 vs. $8,699).

SUNY-ESF vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 60 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-ESF - Test-free; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.6% at SUNY-ESF vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

SUNY-ESF vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-ESF and Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($19,750 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($204 vs. $232).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 65%)

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.