TU vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

TU vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or SUNY-ESF? 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 Towson University than SUNY-ESF ($16,653 vs. $19,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Towson University are 10.1% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($16,260 vs. $18,080).
• Towson University is 26.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $2,425 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at TU than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $7,557 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at Towson University (96% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 35.9% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($11,820 vs. $8,699).

TU vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (1220) is 130 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming SUNY-ESF students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027; SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at TU (3.69).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

TU vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and SUNY-ESF? 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 Towson University's (64%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SUNY-ESF graduates ($17,750 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY-ESF graduates ($183 vs. $204).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 69%)

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.