SUNY-ESF vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (2,757 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is located in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1; Vassar College 7:1.

SUNY-ESF vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-ESF or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($19,814 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry are 0.9% lower than at Vassar College ($18,080 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 663.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $61,727 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 219% higher at Vassar than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $48,767 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at Vassar College (96% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 560.3% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($57,443 vs. $8,699).

SUNY-ESF vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 280 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-ESF - Test-free; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at SUNY-ESF (3.7).
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.6% at SUNY-ESF vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

SUNY-ESF vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-ESF and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $3,970 lower median loan debt than SUNY-ESF graduates ($15,780 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY-ESF graduates ($163 vs. $204).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-ESF students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 78%)

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.