Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Syracuse, New York
41.7% Acceptance Rate
Syracuse University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
41.7%Acceptance Rate
3.69Avg GPA
1351Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$80,396Annual Cost
$79,164Grad Salary
16.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
41.7%
Avg GPA
3.69
Avg SAT
1351
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1260–1430
ACT Middle 50%
28–32
Need-Based Aid
16.2% receive Pell
Syracuse University Syracuse University, founded in 1870 in New York, is a prestigious private research university known for its professional programs and school spirit. The 721-acre campus offers comprehensive programs through 13 schools and colleges, with particular strengths in communications, architecture, and public affairs. Syracuse is classified as an R1 research university and maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. Campus landmarks include the Carrier Dome and the newly renovated Newhouse School of Public Communications. Syracuse's athletic teams, the Orange, compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Syracuse takes pride in its commitment to scholarship, creativity, and global engagement. The university operates study centers worldwide and the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. Recent additions include the National Veterans Resource Center and the Barnes Center at The Arch. Syracuse's combination of academic excellence, spirited campus life, and extensive alumni network makes it one of the Northeast's most dynamic universities.
Syracuse University Acceptance Rate
Syracuse University is selective but reasonable. About 41.7% of applicants (42 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What Syracuse University Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 41.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier. A solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.69 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.49 – 3.68
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.24
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Syracuse University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Syracuse University is 3.69. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.39 and 3.69? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.89–4.09.Syracuse University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.69 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.49 – 3.68
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.29 – 3.48
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.28
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Requires exactly one supplemental essay for all applicants (250-word maximum), in addition to the standard Common App personal statement.
- The single prompt combines a "why Syracuse" element with a personal-experience/diversity-and-inclusion element - applicants must address both parts.
- Recently reported acceptance rate around 41%.
- Syracuse Abroad operates centers in Italy, England, Spain, Chile, and other locations - a genuine differentiator worth referencing if study abroad connects to the applicant's story.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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 Syracuse University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Syracuse University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Syracuse University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Syracuse University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Syracuse University Without SAT or ACT?
Syracuse University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Syracuse University Average SAT Score: 1351
Admitted students at Syracuse University average a 1351 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1351 — Competitive
A 1351 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1430 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Syracuse University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1260? A retake is worth it at Syracuse University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 675 | 630 | 720 |
| SAT Reading | 670 | 630 | 710 |
| SAT Composite | 1351 | 1260 | 1430 |
A score under 1260 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1430+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1350
Can I get into Syracuse University with a 1450 SAT?
At 1450, your SAT is squarely in Syracuse University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Syracuse University ACT Requirements
Syracuse University's admitted students average an ACT of 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
Syracuse University's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 28 | 26 | 30 |
| ACT English | 31 | 28 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 28 | 32 |
Can I get into Syracuse University with a 32 ACT?
At 32, you're in the top quarter of Syracuse University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Syracuse University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Syracuse University
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Syracuse University, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant. That's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Structure the single required supplement as three connected story-threads, not one narrative dump
Syracuse's one required essay (250-word max) asks applicants to explain their interest in Syracuse AND describe a personal experience of perseverance, overcoming discrimination, or being inspired by courage, then connect it to community contribution - students should structure this as past story, present lesson, and future application at Syracuse specifically, since all three parts need to read as one cohesive narrative, not three separate mini-answers.
Avoid the generic "campus tour" answer inside the 250-word limit
Because the essay must also function as a "why Syracuse" response within just 250 words total, a reason that could apply to any university (nice campus, good reputation, strong programs) signals a lack of specificity - name a particular club, research opportunity, or campus resource tied directly to the personal story being told.
Pick a "hinge moment," not a sprawling life story, given the tight word count
With only 250 words to cover both the personal experience and the Syracuse connection, students should choose one small, specific event that created a meaningful shift in perspective rather than trying to summarize a broader challenge or years-long journey - depth on one moment beats breadth across several.
Make sure the "how you'll contribute" portion names something concrete at Syracuse
The prompt explicitly asks how the lesson will be applied "in a positive way" to the Syracuse community - vague statements about wanting to "make a difference" should be replaced with a specific campus organization, program, or opportunity the student plans to engage with, tied directly back to the personal story.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes treat this as two separate essays glued together (a diversity/overcoming-adversity essay plus a generic "why Syracuse" paragraph) - reviewers are looking for one integrated narrative where the personal story, the lesson, and the Syracuse connection genuinely reinforce each other, not three disconnected answers stitched into 250 words.
Syracuse University Profile
Full Name
Syracuse University
City
Syracuse
State
New York
ZIP Code
13244
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Syracuse University Degree Worth It?
At $80,396/year against a $79,164 median graduate salary, Syracuse University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $75,300, and graduates see a 3.35% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Syracuse University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $80,396/year at Syracuse University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Syracuse University, 16.2% receive a Pell Grant and 34.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Syracuse University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Syracuse University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Syracuse University graduates report a median income of $79,164, about 95% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Syracuse University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Syracuse University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
| Emerson College | Boston, MA | 1359 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Syracuse University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Syracuse University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Syracuse University Admissions
Syracuse University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $79,164/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Syracuse University runs high, at roughly $80,396+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
16.2% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Syracuse University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Syracuse University's acceptance rate is 41.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Syracuse University students is 3.69, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.39 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Syracuse University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.29 or below makes admission tougher at Syracuse University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Syracuse University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1351, and within the 1260–1430 range, keeps you competitive.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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