U of R vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Rochester 9:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

U of R vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than U of R ($19,814 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry are 8.6% lower than at University of Rochester ($18,080 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 621.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $57,777 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 201.3% higher at U of R than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $44,817 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at University of Rochester (96% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 423% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($45,500 vs. $8,699).

U of R vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 260 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming U of R students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); SUNY-ESF - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at SUNY-ESF (3.7).
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

U of R vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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).

• University of Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $24,800 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($19,750 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($204 vs. $253).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-ESF students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 78%)

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.