Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, student-focused research university fueled by 150+ years of tradition, academic distinction and a spirit of discovery. Founded in 1870, it has 13 schools and colleges, offering more than 200 customizable majors and more than 100 minors. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,421 (fall 2022), and its campus setting is city. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Syracuse University’s ranking in the 2022-23 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #62. Its tuition and fees are $60,135.

Syracuse University has satellite campuses for specialized programs in Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C. Nearly half of Syracuse students study overseas with Syracuse’s nationally ranked study abroad program, which offers 100+ programs in 60 countries through its five international centers in Florence, Italy; London, England; Madrid, Spain; Santiago, Chile; and Strasbourg, France, as well as programs with partner institutions. Freshmen interested in the liberal arts can spend their first semester studying abroad through the Discovery Programs in Madrid, Strasbourg or Florence.

Designated as a top-tier R1 research institution, Syracuse embraces interdisciplinary research and has more than 40 specialized centers and institutions, providing students with the opportunity to do original research with faculty mentors. Syracuse is also recognized for its commitment to military veterans and their families.

The campus sits on University Hill, overlooking the City of Syracuse in central New York state. Students experience the beauty of four seasons, and winter provides plenty of opportunities for skiing, snowboarding and sledding on nearby mountains. On campus, there are more than 300 student organizations—which include intramural and club sports, service and career-oriented groups—and there is an active Greek Life presence. All freshmen and sophomore students must live in on-campus housing, though there are some exceptions. The free Connective Corridor bus shuttles transport students between campus and downtown Syracuse. The city has a vibrant arts scene and features numerous food, music and cultural festivals throughout the year, including Winterfest and Jazz Fest.

Few schools are associated with a color as strongly as Syracuse University, which adopted orange as its official color in 1890. A brilliant shade of orange is tied into campus life, manifesting itself in student media outlets such as CitrusTV, the television studio. The school’s sports teams—known as the Orange—compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference, cheered on by school mascot Otto the Orange. Syracuse University has a storied athletic tradition that includes national team championships in football, basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse and soccer. The football, basketball and lacrosse teams play in the JMA Wireless Dome, recognized as the only domed stadium in the Northeast.

Notable alumni of Syracuse include U.S. President Joe Biden, former astronaut and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Eileen Collins, author George Saunders, Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, Broadway producer Stacey Mindich, sportscaster Mike Tirico, and singer and actress Vanessa Williams.