Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Oswego, New York
80.4% Acceptance Rate
State University of New York at Oswego — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
80.4%Acceptance Rate
3.49Avg GPA
1177Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$27,155Annual Cost
$57,566Grad Salary
38.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
80.4%
Avg GPA
3.49
Avg SAT
1177
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1060–1270
ACT Middle 50%
23–27
Avg Net Price
$17,231
Need-Based Aid
38.7% receive Pell
State University of New York at Oswego is a public university in New York known for its commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the university provides a supportive and dynamic campus environment that encourages critical inquiry, leadership, and professional preparation. Its focus on providing an accessible, high-value education makes it a reliable and effective choice for students aiming to reach their academic and career potential.
State University of New York at Oswego Acceptance Rate
State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 80.4% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 80.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.49 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.29 – 3.48
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.04
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
State University of New York at Oswego Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
State University of New York at Oswego follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 96 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
SUNY Oswego reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 1
Rolling (International ? Spring Priority Submission)
November 15
Rolling (International ? Fall Priority Submission)
May 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
SUNY Oswego GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SUNY Oswego is 3.49. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.19–3.49 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.69–3.89.SUNY Oswego GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.49 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.29 – 3.48
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.09 – 3.28
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.08
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional with holistic review; self-reported scores must match official scores at enrollment or risk revocation of admission/scholarship.
- Supplementary "special talent" admission category exists for leadership, academic specialization, creative/performing arts, athletic ability, or documented altered-career/unusual circumstances - requires specific Common App/SUNY Supplement documentation.
- Early Action (non-binding) deadline November 15 for December decision; Regular Decision applicants encouraged to apply by March 1 for fullest merit scholarship consideration despite rolling admissions.
- Meteorology program features a Storm Chasers Great Plains summer forecasting program and on-air broadcast training at campus TV station WTOP.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 SUNY Oswego
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on State University of New York at Oswego'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
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if SUNY Oswego is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into SUNY Oswego Without SAT or ACT?
SUNY Oswego considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
State University of New York at Oswego Average SAT Score: 1177
The average SAT score of admitted students at State University of New York at Oswego is 1177 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1177 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1270 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? State University of New York at Oswego allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1060, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at SUNY Oswego. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 580 | 530 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 585 | 530 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1177 | 1060 | 1270 |
Below 1060, you're behind most admitted students; at 1270 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of SUNY Oswego's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at SUNY Oswego is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 19 | 29 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 23 | 27 |
Can I get into State University of New York at Oswego with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of SUNY Oswego's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at SUNY Oswego.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SUNY Oswego
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
SUNY Oswego is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Use the "special talent" admission category if your profile doesn't fit traditional academic metrics
Oswego explicitly reserves a percentage of each freshman class for students demonstrating outstanding capability in leadership, academic specialization, creative/performing arts, or athletics - or those with altered-career orientation or unusual circumstances that affected past academic performance. This isn't a vague holistic-review nod; it's a named supplementary admission category requiring specific documentation through the Common App or SUNY Supplement. If your transcript doesn't fully reflect your capabilities due to documented circumstances, or you have a genuine specialized talent, use this category explicitly rather than hoping general holistic review catches it.
Match your self-reported test scores exactly to your official scores if you choose to submit
Oswego is test-optional, but if you submit self-reported ACT/SAT scores via the Common App or SUNY Supplement, official scores are required upon enrollment and must match what you self-reported - discrepancies can result in revocation of admission and/or scholarship. If you're unsure of your exact score details, don't guess; pull your official score report before self-reporting rather than risking a mismatch that jeopardizes an admission decision after the fact.
If pursuing Meteorology, factor in the Storm Chasers summer program as a genuine curricular differentiator
Oswego's Meteorology program includes a pioneering Storm Chasers summer program (forecasting and pursuing extreme weather through the Great Plains) plus on-air broadcasting experience at the campus TV station WTOP - features that go well beyond a standard classroom-based meteorology curriculum at peer institutions. If severe-weather forecasting or broadcast meteorology specifically interests you, this program's structure (not just its general "meteorology" label) is the differentiator worth highlighting in any supplemental materials or program-specific inquiries.
Apply by November 15 for Early Action even though it's non-binding - and by March 1 for Regular Decision merit consideration
Oswego's Early Action is completely non-binding (you're not committed to enroll) but still requires a real November 15 submission deadline for a December decision; separately, Regular Decision applicants are encouraged to apply by March 1 specifically to receive the fullest consideration for merit scholarships, even though general Rolling Admission continues after that date. Treat November 15 and March 1 as functionally real deadlines despite Oswego's overall rolling admissions framing, particularly if scholarship money matters to your decision.
Expert Insight:
The recurring mistake at Oswego is self-reporting test scores casually - assuming that because the school is test-optional, precision doesn't matter for self-reported numbers. Because official scores are required at enrollment and must match self-reported figures exactly, a rushed or misremembered self-report can trigger a serious consequence (revoked admission or scholarship) for what might otherwise have been a minor, correctable error if double-checked before submission.
SUNY Oswego Profile
Full Name
State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego)
City
Oswego
State
New York
ZIP Code
13126
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a SUNY Oswego Degree Worth It?
Whether SUNY Oswego is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $60,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.05%.
How much does a degree from SUNY Oswego Cost?
The sticker price is $27,155/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $17,231.
38.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 53.3% take federal loans at SUNY Oswego. File your FAFSA early and list SUNY Oswego as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a SUNY Oswego Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $57,566. That's about 42% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than State University of New York at Oswego. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as State University of New York at Oswego. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than State University of New York at Oswego. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at SUNY Oswego
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SUNY Oswego Admissions
Median graduate earnings at State University of New York at Oswego run about $57,566 a year.
At about $27,155 a year, State University of New York at Oswego is on the more affordable end.
About 38.7% receive a Pell Grant at State University of New York at Oswego. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 80.4%, State University of New York at Oswego's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at State University of New York at Oswego average a 3.49 GPA.
State University of New York at Oswego doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.19 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.09, State University of New York at Oswego becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at State University of New York at Oswego — aim above 1177, ideally within the 1060–1270 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for State University of New York at Oswego is November 15 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is March 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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