Syracuse University
Syracuse University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Syracuse University at a Glance
Syracuse University is a private research university in Syracuse, New York, United States. It was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920. Located in the city's University Hill neighborhood, east and southeast of downtown Syracuse, the large campus features an eclectic mix of architecture, ranging from nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival to contemporary buildings. Syracuse University is organized into 13 schools and colleges and is …
1870
156 years old
$2.3B
$2.27 billion (2025)
22,589
15,957 undergrad · 6,632 grad
2,100
969 acres
Identity
Is Syracuse University Worth It?
Syracuse University offers moderate value at $38,793/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $79,164, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 82% graduation rate means roughly 18% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Syracuse University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 9 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | George Washington University | 53 | $36,586 | $90,873 |
| #2 | Syracuse University | 42 | $38,793 | $79,164 |
| #3 | Texas Christian University | 40 | $36,660 | $68,424 |
| #4 | Bellevue University | 34 | $17,550 | $61,289 |
| #5 | Loyola Marymount University | 32 | $48,381 | $78,349 |
| #6 | Baylor University | 32 | $41,104 | $65,793 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Syracuse University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Syracuse University
The highest-earning program at Syracuse University is Mechanical Engineering at $65,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $17,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Syracuse University earns $65,000, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $17,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $38,793/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,000 | $65,000 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $64,900 | $64,900 | $27,000 |
| Information Science/Studies | $64,800 | $64,800 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $62,400 | $62,400 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,000 | $60,000 | $27,000 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $53,000 | $53,000 | $27,000 |
| Architecture | $50,400 | $50,400 | $31,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,800 | $49,800 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $45,900 | $45,900 | $26,250 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $44,600 | $44,600 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $43,800 | $43,800 | $27,000 |
| Public Administration | $41,400 | $41,400 | $27,000 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $38,100 | $38,100 | $25,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $38,000 | $38,000 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,600 | $37,600 | $26,472 |
| Journalism | $36,100 | $36,100 | $25,608 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $35,700 | $35,700 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $35,100 | $35,100 | $25,175 |
| Psychology, General | $33,600 | $33,600 | $27,000 |
| History | $33,200 | $33,200 | $25,495 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $32,200 | $32,200 | $26,472 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,100 | $30,100 | $26,320 |
| Biology, General | $29,200 | $29,200 | $27,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $28,700 | $28,700 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,100 | $27,100 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,500 | $26,500 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $23,100 | $23,100 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $17,700 | $17,700 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Syracuse, NY
- Student Body
- 15,477 students
- Admission Rate
- 46%
- Graduation Rate
- 82%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $38,793
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $79,164
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000