Syracuse vs. Arcadia

Should I go to Syracuse University or Arcadia University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Syracuse or Arcadia is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Penn State Binghamton University UB Fordham UVM Drexel RIT BU Skidmore College AU Providence Maryland
Syracuse University vs. Arcadia University comparison
Syracuse University Arcadia University College 3 College 4
Syracuse University Arcadia University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Syracuse Arcadia
Location Syracuse, NY Glenside, PA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 22,948 3,142
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #160 #471
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website syr.edu arcadia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Syracuse Arcadia
Tuition (In State) $61,310 $47,590
Tuition (Out of State) $61,310 $47,590
Room & Board $18,444 $16,250
Avg Net Price $51,520 $26,994
Avg Grant Aid $29,110 $34,234
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 100%

Admission

 Syracuse Arcadia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 42,089 6,688
Admitted 17,545 5,296
Acceptance Rate 41.7% 79.2%
Enrolled % 20.9% 7.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/32 26/30
SAT Range 1260/1430 1083/1310
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2026

Academics

 Syracuse Arcadia
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Syracuse Arcadia
Graduation Rate 80% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $65,900 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

 Syracuse Arcadia
% Men 14% 11%
% Women 17% 28%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 55% 68%
% Black 8% 9%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 12% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 Syracuse Arcadia
% In-State 32% 66%
% Out-of-State 57% 32%

Campus

 Syracuse Arcadia
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Syracuse University is larger than than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (22,948 students vs. 3,142 students)

Syracuse vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Syracuse or Arcadia?

  • Syracuse University is 28.8% more expensive to attend than Arcadia for in-state tuition ($61,310.00 vs. $47,590.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.8% higher at Syracuse than Arcadia University ($61,310.00 vs. $47,590.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arcadia University than Syracuse ($26,994 vs. $51,520)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arcadia University are 13.5% lower than costs at Syracuse University ($16,250 vs. $18,444)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arcadia University than Syracuse University (100% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 17.6% larger than aid received Syracuse University ($34,234 vs. $29,110)

Syracuse vs. Arcadia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Syracuse or Arcadia? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Arcadia or Syracuse .

  • The average SAT score at Syracuse University (1195) is 91 points higher than at Arcadia (1104)
  • Incoming Syracuse students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Arcadia (25)
  • Accepted freshman Syracuse students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Arcadia (3.42)
  • Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Syracuse (41.7%)

Syracuse vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Syracuse or Arcadia? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Arcadia and Syracuse.

  • The graduation rate at Syracuse is higher than Arcadia University (80% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Syracuse University earn on average $19,500 more per year than Arcadia graduates after ten years. ($65,900 vs. $46,400)
  • Arcadia University and Syracuse graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Arcadia University and Syracuse graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More Syracuse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/