Syracuse, NY · Private University
Is Syracuse University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$79,164
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$63,061
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$63,061
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$252,244
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.25x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
81.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$41,026
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Syracuse University graduates earn $34,164 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Syracuse University ranked by graduate earnings
28 graduates
208 graduates
93 graduates
44 graduates
31 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Syracuse University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Syracuse University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Chemical Engineering: $91,957) and the lowest (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology: $22,693) is $69,264/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical EngineeringBest ROI | $91,957 | 1.5x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $91,086 | 1.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,527 | 1.4x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $89,553 | 1.4x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $85,982 | 1.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $85,784 | 1.4x |
| Information Science/Studies | $84,923 | 1.4x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $84,793 | 1.3x |
| Civil Engineering | $84,685 | 1.3x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering(1yr data) | $84,494 | 1.3x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $82,378 | 1.3x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $71,592 | 1.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $71,365 | 1.1x |
| Economics | $70,698 | 1.1x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $68,507 | 1.1x |
| Marketing | $68,357 | 1.1x |
| Journalism | $62,752 | 1.0x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | $61,886 | 1.0x |
| Public Administration | $60,555 | 1.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $59,450 | 0.9x |
| Real Estate(1yr data) | $59,396 | 0.9x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $59,233 | 0.9x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology(1yr data) | $58,622 | 0.9x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $58,439 | 0.9x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $57,823 | 0.9x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $57,789 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $57,701 | 0.9x |
| Mathematics | $56,469 | 0.9x |
| Special Education and Teaching(1yr data) | $55,881 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $55,862 | 0.9x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $55,779 | 0.9x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $55,339 | 0.9x |
| Biology, General | $54,536 | 0.9x |
| History | $54,025 | 0.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,833 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $53,593 | 0.8x |
| Sociology | $52,918 | 0.8x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering(1yr data) | $49,297 | 0.8x |
| Biotechnology(1yr data) | $44,418 | 0.7x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $44,252 | 0.7x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $43,280 | 0.7x |
| Human Services, General(1yr data) | $41,551 | 0.7x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $41,457 | 0.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $39,825 | 0.6x |
| Interior Architecture(1yr data) | $39,591 | 0.6x |
| Philosophy(1yr data) | $35,602 | 0.6x |
| Fine and Studio Arts(1yr data) | $32,636 | 0.5x |
| Security Science and Technology(1yr data) | $31,750 | 0.5x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences(1yr data) | $30,259 | 0.5x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(1yr data) | $24,935 | 0.4x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $23,382 | 0.4x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyLowest(1yr data) | $22,693 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse University | 1.25x | $79,164 | Average ROI |
| Fairfield University | 1.57x | $88,794 | Good ROI |
| Fordham University | 1.38x | $85,569 | Average ROI |
| American University | 1.37x | $77,370 | Average ROI |
| George Washington University | 1.40x | $90,873 | Average ROI |
| Providence College | 1.43x | $87,054 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Syracuse University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $79,164 10 years after starting — $34,164 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.7 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.