When choosing a university, students often compare various factors such as costs, admission requirements, academic performance, campus life, and post-graduation outcomes. In this article, we will compare two prominent universities – Syracuse University and Penn State University – to help you make a more informed decision.
Syracuse University Overview
Syracuse University, a private research university, was founded in 1870 in Syracuse, New York. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across 13 schools and colleges. Known for its communications and journalism programs, Syracuse University also excels in areas such as architecture, engineering, and business.
Syracuse University Costs & Tuition
The estimated cost of attendance at Syracuse University for the 2021-2022 academic year is $76,886, which includes tuition, fees, and living expenses. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
Syracuse University Admissions
Syracuse University has an acceptance rate of 44%, making it moderately competitive. Prospective students must submit their high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1180 and 1370 and ACT scores between 25 and 30.
Syracuse University Degrees Offered
Syracuse University offers over 200 majors and 100 minors at the undergraduate level. At the graduate level, it provides more than 200 advanced degree programs, including master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees.
Syracuse University Academics
Syracuse University is renowned for its strong academics, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, allowing for personalized attention and support. The university is particularly well-known for its programs in communications, journalism, architecture, and engineering.
Syracuse University Diversity
Syracuse University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. Approximately 29% of undergraduate students identify as racial or ethnic minorities, and international students represent over 100 countries.
Syracuse University Students
Syracuse University has a total enrollment of approximately 22,850 students, with around 15,275 undergraduates and 7,575 graduate students. The student body is evenly balanced, with 51% female and 49% male students.
Syracuse University Campus
The Syracuse University campus spans 683 acres and features a mix of modern and historic architecture. The campus offers various facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, libraries, and recreational spaces. Students can participate in over 300 clubs and organizations, as well as Division I athletics.
Syracuse University Alumni
Notable Syracuse University alumni include Vice President Joe Biden, journalist Megyn Kelly, and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. The university maintains a strong alumni network, with over 250,000 alumni worldwide.
Syracuse University Rankings
Syracuse University is ranked #58 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2021. It has also received high rankings for its programs in communications, journalism, public affairs, and engineering.
Syracuse University Outcomes
Syracuse University boasts a strong post-graduation employment rate, with 92% of graduates employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for Syracuse University graduates is $55,800.
Penn State University Overview
Penn State University, a public research university, was founded in 1855 in University Park, Pennsylvania. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across 19 colleges. Penn State is known for its engineering, business, and education programs, as well as its research initiatives and strong athletic program.
Penn State University Costs & Tuition
The estimated cost of attendance at Penn State University for the 2021-2022 academic year is $34,858 for in-state students and $52,716 for out-of-state students, which includes tuition, fees, and living expenses. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
Penn State University Admissions
Penn State University has an acceptance rate of 56%, making it moderately competitive. Prospective students must submit their high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), and a personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1160 and 1360 and ACT scores between 25 and 30.
Penn State University Degrees Offered
Penn State University offers over 160 undergraduate majors, 170 minors, and more than 200 graduate degree programs, including master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees.
Penn State University Academics
Penn State University is recognized for its strong academics, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1. The university is particularly well-known for its programs in engineering, business, and education.
Penn State University Diversity
Penn State University is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. Approximately 20% of undergraduate students identify as racial or ethnic minorities, and international students represent over 120 countries.
Penn State University Students
Penn State University has a total enrollment of approximately 91,500 students, with around 40,500 undergraduates and 6,000 graduate students at its main campus. The student body is 52% male and 48% female.
Penn State University Campus
The Penn State University campus spans 7,958 acres and offers a wide range of facilities, including modern classrooms, labs, libraries, and recreational spaces. Students can participate in over 1,000 clubs and organizations, as well as Division I athletics.
Penn State University Alumni
Notable Penn State University alumni include business magnate Elon Musk, journalist Lara Spencer, and football player Franco Harris. The university has a strong alumni network, with over 700,000 alumni worldwide.
Penn State University Rankings
Penn State University is ranked #63 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2021. It has also received high rankings for its programs in engineering, business, and education.
Penn State University Outcomes
Penn State University has a strong post-graduation employment rate, with 85% of graduates employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for Penn State University graduates is $52,300.
Syracuse University vs Penn State University Cost Comparison
The cost of attendance at Syracuse University is significantly higher than that at Penn State University. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the estimated cost at Syracuse is $76,886, while at Penn State, the cost is $34,858 for in-state students and $52,716 for out-of-state students. Both universities offer financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs to help offset these costs.
Syracuse University vs Penn State University Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at both Syracuse University and Penn State University are moderately competitive, with acceptance rates of 44% and 56%, respectively. The middle 50% of admitted students at both universities have similar SAT and ACT score ranges, making the admissions processes at these schools relatively comparable in terms of difficulty.
Syracuse University vs Penn State University Academic Difficulty
Syracuse University and Penn State University are both recognized for their strong academics and low student-to-faculty ratios, allowing for personalized attention and support. Both schools offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and they each have several highly ranked programs in their respective fields.
Syracuse University vs Penn State University Outcome Comparison
Post-graduation outcomes are strong for both Syracuse University and Penn State University. Syracuse University has a slightly higher employment rate within six months of graduation (92%) compared to Penn State University (85%). The average starting salary for Syracuse graduates is also slightly higher at $55,800, compared to Penn State graduates at $52,300.
In conclusion, both Syracuse University and Penn State University offer excellent academic programs and strong post-graduation outcomes. The choice between these two universities will likely depend on factors such as tuition costs, location, campus life, and specific academic interests.
