Syracuse vs. BYU

Comparable Facts

Compare Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brigham Young University is larger than Syracuse based on total student enrollment (35,873 students vs. 22,589 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Syracuse University is located in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting); Brigham Young University is in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Syracuse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Syracuse University 15:1; Brigham Young University 21:1.

Syracuse vs. BYU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Syracuse or BYU? 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 Brigham Young University than Syracuse ($16,694 vs. $48,215).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 45.8% lower than at Syracuse University ($10,396 vs. $19,188).
• Syracuse University is 879.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BYU (about $58,840 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 879.8% higher at Syracuse than at Brigham Young University (about $58,840 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Syracuse University than at Brigham Young University (76% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Syracuse University students is 498.2% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($36,417 vs. $6,088).

Syracuse vs. BYU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Syracuse or BYU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BYU and Syracuse.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Brigham Young University (1370) is 10 points higher than at Syracuse (1360).
• Incoming Syracuse students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at BYU (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Syracuse University 1270/1440; Brigham Young University 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Syracuse University 29/32; Brigham Young University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Syracuse - Test optional; BYU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Syracuse Jan 1, 2027; BYU Dec 16, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman BYU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Syracuse (3.69).
• BYU has a higher acceptance rate (67.8%) than Syracuse (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.8% at Syracuse vs. 77.5% at BYU.

Syracuse vs. BYU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Syracuse and BYU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Syracuse University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Brigham Young University's (78%).
• Graduates from Brigham Young University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Syracuse graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,100 vs. $65,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than Syracuse graduates ($11,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $166 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Syracuse graduates ($113 vs. $279).
• More BYU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Syracuse students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 80%)

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.