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SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

ESF

Syracuse, New York 13210

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitUrban

Known for biology

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public institution in Syracuse with particular strength in biology and engineering.

A small campus of 1.7K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

70% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,763 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,730.

Established
1911
Motto
"Improve Your World"
Mascot
Oakie the Acorn
Type
Public university

Campus Visits

44 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

83%Acceptance
SAT Avg
1,725Students
14:1Student:Faculty
70%Grad Rate
$55,763Earnings 10yr
$18,730Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate82.9%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Financial Aid

Pell Grant eligible
26%
First-generation
20%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,206
Tuition (out-of-state)$21,036
Room & Board$17,780
Books & Supplies$1,240
Total Cost of Attendance$27,958
Average Net Price$18,730
Median Debt at Graduation$11,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$117

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$8,211
$30–48K$10,770
$48–75K$18,458
$75–110K$20,248
$110K+$23,955

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

58.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$13,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

12

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Student-faculty ratio
14:1

Programs (48)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

85%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
1,725
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
20%
Pell Grant Recipients
26%

Race & Ethnicity

White 75%
Black 3%
Hispanic 11%
Asian 3%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate69.9%
Freshman Retention85.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$48,327
10 Years$55,763

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#144
vs 2024
Forbes
#439
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#235
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Mighty Oaks

CrossSoccerCross country

History & Fun Facts

  • Both bills followed the state's defunding in 1903 of the New York State College of Forestry at Cornell University.
  • Originally a unit of Syracuse University, in 1913, the college was made a separate, legal entity.
  • Hunter Mountain, Twilight (1866) by Hudson River School artist Sanford Robinson Gifford, showing the devastation wrought by years of tanbarking and logging.
  • Marshall was elected president of the college's board of trustees at its first meeting, in 1911; at the time of his death, eighteen years later, he was still president of the board.
  • Syracuse University, College of Forestry (Bray Hall) The first dean of the college was William L.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

150Very High

Estimated from NY state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

New Yorkpop. 8.3M
194 mi(336 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
219 mi(380 min)
Bostonpop. 675K
262 mi(454 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SYR Syracuse Hancock6 mi
ROC Rochester78 mi
ALB Albany120 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA262 mi · ~7h 34m drive
New York, NY194 mi · ~5h 36m drive
Hartford, CT197 mi · ~5h 41m drive
Providence, RI255 mi · ~7h 22m drive
Albany, NY124 mi · ~3h 35m drive
Syracuse, NY1 mi · ~2 min drive
Rochester, NY75 mi · ~2h 10m drive
Buffalo, NY139 mi · ~4h 1m drive
Philadelphia, PA219 mi · ~6h 20m drive
Pittsburgh, PA268 mi · ~7h 45m drive
Harrisburg, PA195 mi · ~5h 38m drive
Newark, NJ188 mi · ~5h 26m drive
Trenton, NJ208 mi · ~6h 1m drive
Central (cold winters, warm summers)

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Application Checklist

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