Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Syracuse, New York
Onondaga Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$14,613Annual Cost
$41,190Grad Salary
25.7%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$7,178
Need-Based Aid
25.7% receive Pell
Onondaga Community College serves central New York from its 280-acre Syracuse campus. Established in 1961, OCC has grown into a comprehensive institution offering 100+ degree and certificate programs to over 10,000 students annually. The campus features the 'SUNY Educational Opportunity Center,' the 'Storer Auditorium,' and the 'Schoenfeld Health and Physical Education Center.'
OCC excels in career-focused programs like electrical engineering technology, broadcasting, and hospitality management that boast strong regional employment outcomes. The college's 'Coulter Library' features a makerspace with 3D printers and media production studios. OCC maintains strong transfer pathways to Syracuse University through its '2+2' agreements. The college's 'Whitman School of Business' partnership provides guaranteed admission for qualified students. OCC's commitment to sustainability includes LEED-certified buildings and an award-winning recycling program.
Onondaga Community College Acceptance Rate
Onondaga Community College (OCC) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at OCC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Onondaga Community College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Onondaga Community College (OCC) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into OCC Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Onondaga Community College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for OCC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
OCC provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Match the nursing program's self-directed format to the student's learning style
OCC's Nursing A.A.S. program uses a notably independent, competency-based instructional model rather than a traditional lecture-paced structure - theory classes are one credit each with an expectation of roughly 45 self-directed hours per credit, and students typically demonstrate mastery through exams rather than sitting through material they may already know. This structure produces strong outcomes for the right student (NCLEX-RN pass rates around 95%) but also correlates with a comparatively lower three-year completion rate (reported around 50-51%), which reflects program fit as much as difficulty. Before recommending OCC nursing, a counselor should genuinely assess whether a student is a strong independent, self-paced learner who thrives with exam-and-advance pacing - a student who needs more classroom structure and instructor-led pacing may be a better fit for a more traditionally structured nearby program, even if OCC's outcomes data looks appealing on paper.
Verify the program's current accreditation status directly before committing
The most recent ACEN Board of Commissioners decision for OCC's Nursing A.A.S. program is listed as "continuing accreditation with conditions" - a qualified status rather than unconditional continuing accreditation. This doesn't necessarily indicate a serious problem, since ACEN attaches conditions for a range of reasons, but it is a meaningfully different status than a peer program with unconditional continuing accreditation, and a family evaluating OCC against other options should ask the nursing department directly what the specific conditions are and the timeline for their resolution, rather than treating "accredited" as a single undifferentiated status.
Use the 65% TEAS threshold as a floor, not a target
OCC requires a passing TEAS score of 65% or higher for nursing eligibility - worth noting as a comparison point since some peer programs set their TEAS cutline meaningfully higher. However, a relatively accessible minimum doesn't mean a student should aim only to clear it; because admission still involves review of prerequisite coursework and the program itself demands strong independent study skills from day one, a student should treat 65% as the floor for eligibility, not a sufficient target for genuine readiness.
Highlight on-campus housing as a genuine differentiator among community colleges
OCC, as a SUNY institution, offers on-campus housing including coed and themed housing options - a real structural difference from the large majority of community colleges, which are commuter-only. For a prospective student weighing OCC against a nearer commuter-only community college, this is worth surfacing explicitly, particularly for students coming from outside the immediate Syracuse area or students who specifically want a more residential first-two-years college experience without committing to a four-year school's cost.
Expert Insight:
A prospective nursing student or family sometimes anchors entirely on OCC's strong NCLEX pass rate without understanding that the program's independent, exam-and-advance instructional model is a real structural fit factor - a capable student who needs more classroom structure and pacing support can genuinely struggle in this format even though the eventual licensure outcomes for those who complete the program are strong.
OCC Profile
Full Name
Onondaga Community College (OCC)
City
Syracuse
State
New York
ZIP Code
13215-4585
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a OCC Degree Worth It?
Getting into OCC can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. OCC offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at OCC is $56,200 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.72%.
How much does a degree from OCC Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Onondaga Community College is $14,613. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Onondaga Community College is $7,178.
25.7% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 17.9 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to OCC and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Onondaga Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist OCC as your choice in the form.
How much does a OCC Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $41,190. An average OCC graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at OCC
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Onondaga Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About OCC Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $41,190 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $14,613 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
25.7% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.