Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university in central New York, best known for the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and a famously spirited Orange sports culture centered on the JMA Wireless Dome. Admission is moderately selective: Syracuse admitted about 42% of more than 42,000 applicants for its most recent class, and enrolled first-years posted middle-50% SAT scores of 1280–1410 and an average high school GPA near 3.80. Communication and journalism is the single most-conferred area, reflecting Newhouse's national reputation, and roughly 99% of first-years live on campus. Syracuse is test-optional, and nearly all first-year students with demonstrated need receive aid, with an average need-based package above $53,000.
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Syracuse admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Decision
Syracuse offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Admit rate by application plan
% admitted~1.6× higher admit rate applying early.
Standardized Tests
Syracuse is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Syracuse's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 19.9% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Syracuse does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Syracuse weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Syracuse's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Syracuse admissions
Is it hard to get into Syracuse University?＋
Syracuse is moderately selective: it admitted about 42% of applicants in the most recent cycle, offering admission to roughly 17,545 of more than 42,000 applicants and enrolling about 3,672 first-years. Strong grades and rigor matter most — academic GPA, the rigor of your course load, and class rank are all weighed as very important factors.
What GPA do you need to get into Syracuse University?＋
Enrolled first-years at Syracuse report an average high school GPA of about 3.80 on a 4.0 scale. There is no hard cutoff, but academic GPA and the rigor of your high school record are both rated very important in the admission decision, so a transcript with mostly A's in challenging courses is what competitive applicants present.
Does Syracuse require the SAT or ACT?＋
No — Syracuse is test-optional, so you can apply without submitting scores and still be considered for admission and merit scholarships. Among enrolled students who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1280–1410 on the SAT and 28–32 on the ACT; standardized test scores are only 'considered' rather than required.
Is a 1400 SAT good enough for Syracuse University?＋
Yes — a 1400 is a strong score for Syracuse. It sits near the 75th percentile (1410) of enrolled first-years, whose middle 50% scored between 1280 and 1410 on the SAT (28–32 ACT). Because Syracuse is test-optional and treats scores as 'considered,' a 1400 only strengthens an application that already shows strong grades and rigor.
Does applying Early Decision improve your chances at Syracuse?＋
Applying Early Decision is binding but tends to admit at a higher rate: Syracuse's ED I and ED II rounds together received 2,182 applications and admitted about 1,439, an early-round admit rate near 66% versus the roughly 42% overall rate. Syracuse offers two binding rounds — ED I (deadline Nov. 15) and ED II (deadline Jan. 5) — and no Early Action.
What GPA and class rank do you need for Syracuse?＋
Admitted first-years average about a 3.80 GPA. Among the roughly 20% of enrolled students who reported a class rank, about 34% were in the top tenth of their graduating class and about 68% in the top quarter. Class rank, academic GPA, and course rigor are all weighed as very important factors.
How much does Syracuse University cost, and is financial aid available?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $65,528 per year, with the total cost of attendance higher once on-campus food and housing (around $19,188) are added. About 39% of first-years receive need-based scholarship or grant aid, the average need-based package is near $53,222, and Syracuse meets about 98% of demonstrated need on average.
Does the application essay matter at Syracuse University?＋
Yes — Syracuse rates the application essay as a very important factor in its holistic review, alongside grades, course rigor, recommendations, and extracurriculars. With essays weighted that heavily and test scores only 'considered,' a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways to stand out in the applicant pool.
Source: Syracuse University Common Data Set 2023-2024. Figures transcribed 2026-06-08. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Syracuse. Banner photo by Kiran891, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).