Fitchburg State vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

Fitchburg State vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or SUNY-ESF? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fitchburg State University than SUNY-ESF ($15,340 vs. $19,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 14.5% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($15,452 vs. $18,080).
• Fitchburg State University is 22% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $2,043 more per year; $11,346.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.8% higher at SUNY-ESF than at Fitchburg State University (about $4,837 more per year; $22,263.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at Fitchburg State University (96% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 32.6% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($11,539 vs. $8,699).

Fitchburg State vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or SUNY-ESF? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SUNY-ESF and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (1220) is 70 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

Fitchburg State vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and SUNY-ESF? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $2,935 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($19,750 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($204 vs. $234).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.