More selective than 84% of New York colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
24% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 9% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Syracuse University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Syracuse University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Syracuse University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Class rank
- SAT/ACT scores
- First-generation college student
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Interview
- Where you live
- State residency
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Religious affiliation
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Syracuse University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.71. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
100% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
56% of early decision applicants were admitted (1,478 of 2,654). Admitted students must enroll.
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
14,242 offered a spot, 6,530 took it, 2,039 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Syracuse University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Syracuse University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 640 | 720 |
| SAT math | 630 | 720 |
| ACT composite | 29 | 32 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1270 | 1440 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Syracuse University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 46% | 640–720 | 630–720 | 29–32 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 42% | 630–710 | 630–720 | 28–32 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Syracuse University compared with other New York colleges?
Syracuse University has the 23rd-lowest acceptance rate of 140 New York colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | University of Rochester | 40% | 85% | $29,278 |
| 20 | Manhattan School of Music | 41% | 78% | $51,754 |
| 21 | Union College | 44% | 80% | $34,561 |
| 22 | Maria College of Albany | 44% | 30% | $13,082 |
| 23 | Syracuse University | 46% | 84% | $38,793 |
| 24 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 48% | 72% | $3,033 |
| 25 | Jewish Theological Seminary of America | 49% | 90% | $43,195 |
| 26 | Stony Brook University | 49% | 76% | $18,784 |
| 27 | Bard College | 52% | 68% | $34,649 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All New York colleges →
Who enrolls at Syracuse University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Syracuse University admissions questions
What is the Syracuse University acceptance rate?
Syracuse University accepts 46% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 17,545 of 42,089 applicants were admitted.
Does Syracuse University require the SAT or ACT?
Syracuse University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 24% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 9% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Syracuse University?
The middle 50% of Syracuse University enrolled first-year students scored 1270–1440 on the SAT and 29–32 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Syracuse University?
21% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (3,672 of 17,545).
What does Syracuse University look for in applicants?
Syracuse University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA, essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities. Important: class rank, sAT/ACT scores, first-generation college student, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. Considered: interview, where you live, state residency. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Syracuse University have early decision?
Yes. Syracuse University offers binding early decision; 56% of early decision applicants were admitted for fall 2025 (1,478 of 2,654). It also offers non-binding early action.
How many students get off the Syracuse University waitlist?
For fall 2025, 14,242 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 6,530 accepted one and 2,039 were admitted (31% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Syracuse University getting harder to get into?
Syracuse University accepted 46% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 42% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Syracuse University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Syracuse University overview