Wesleyan University vs. Syracuse

Deciding between Wesleyan University and Syracuse University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Wesleyan University
Syracuse University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
  • Syracuse Syracuse, NY
  • Setting
  • Wesleyan University Small City
  • Syracuse Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wesleyan University 4,011
  • Syracuse 22,589
  • Type
  • Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Syracuse Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wesleyan University #36
  • Syracuse #158
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Syracuse -
  • Status
  • Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Syracuse Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wesleyan University
  • Syracuse

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • Room & Board
  • Wesleyan University $19,872
  • Syracuse $19,188
  • Average Net Price
  • Wesleyan University $23,025
  • Syracuse $48,215
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University $65,995
  • Syracuse $36,417
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University 42%
  • Syracuse 76%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wesleyan University 14,389
  • Syracuse 44,480
  • Admitted
  • Wesleyan University 2,373
  • Syracuse 20,427
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wesleyan University 16.5%
  • Syracuse 45.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Wesleyan University 34.8%
  • Syracuse 18.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wesleyan University 1480
  • Syracuse 1360
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wesleyan University 34
  • Syracuse 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Syracuse 3.69
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Syracuse A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wesleyan University Elite
  • Syracuse Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wesleyan University Very High
  • Syracuse Low
  • ACT Range
  • Wesleyan University 33/35
  • Syracuse 29/32
  • SAT Range
  • Wesleyan University 1415/1540
  • Syracuse 1270/1440
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Syracuse Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027
  • Syracuse Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wesleyan University 8:1
  • Syracuse 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wesleyan University
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Ethnic Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Syracuse
    • Business (18%)
    • Communication (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wesleyan University 92%
  • Syracuse 80%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wesleyan University $58,000
  • Syracuse $65,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wesleyan University 89%
  • Syracuse 80%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wesleyan University $17,500
  • Syracuse $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wesleyan University $180
  • Syracuse $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wesleyan University 47%
  • Syracuse 44%
  • % Women
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Syracuse 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wesleyan University High
  • Syracuse High
  • HBCU
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Syracuse No
  • % White
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Syracuse 55%
  • % Asian
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Syracuse 8%
  • % Black
  • Wesleyan University 7%
  • Syracuse 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wesleyan University 11%
  • Syracuse 11%
  • % Native American
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Syracuse 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Syracuse 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wesleyan University 6%
  • Syracuse 3%
  • % International
  • Wesleyan University 9%
  • Syracuse 12%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wesleyan University 5%
  • Syracuse 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Syracuse 31%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wesleyan University 78%
  • Syracuse 63%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Syracuse Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Syracuse No
  • Meal Plan
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Syracuse Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Syracuse Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Syracuse Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Syracuse University is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (22,589 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Syracuse University is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
  • Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Syracuse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Syracuse University 15:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University or Syracuse? 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 Wesleyan University than Syracuse ($23,025 vs. $48,215).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Syracuse University are 3.4% lower than at Wesleyan University ($19,188 vs. $19,872).
  • Wesleyan University is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Syracuse (about $4,814 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $65,528.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Wesleyan University than at Syracuse University (about $4,814 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $65,528.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Syracuse University than at Wesleyan University (76% vs. 42%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 81.2% larger than aid received by Syracuse University students ($65,995 vs. $36,417).

Wesleyan University vs. Syracuse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University or Syracuse? 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 Syracuse and Wesleyan University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 120 points higher than at Syracuse (1360).
  • Incoming Wesleyan University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Syracuse).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Syracuse University 1270/1440.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Syracuse University 29/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Syracuse - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Syracuse Jan 1, 2027.
  • Syracuse has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 18.8% at Syracuse.

Wesleyan University vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University and Syracuse? 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).

  • Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Syracuse University's (80%).
  • Graduates from Syracuse University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,900 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than Syracuse graduates ($17,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Syracuse graduates ($180 vs. $279).
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Syracuse students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.