At $41,026/yr net price, Syracuse University graduates earn $79,164/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $45,164/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $41,026 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $164,104 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $79,164/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$45,164/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 81.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,505/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,002/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,633/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,776/yr |
| $110,001+ | $55,337/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $88,195 | $49,759 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $81,333 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $77,966 | $64,914 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $67,101 | $26,564 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,989 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,653 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $64,087 | $27,000 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Master | $62,674 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $62,343 | $44,832 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
81.4% of students at Syracuse University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Syracuse gives you a solid financial return, but the price tag makes the math depend heavily on your major and your family income. A median graduate earns close to $80k a decade out while carrying $26,000 in debt, so the typical outcome pays off. The 81% grad rate and 91% retention mean you are likely to finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether the cost ever makes sense.
Engineering is where the money is. Computer engineering leads at $81,333, and mechanical and civil engineering both clear $66k while carrying debt around $27,000 that their salaries can service. Finance grads land at $64,087, a strong result for a non-engineering path. Information science pays $67,101 on similar debt. If you enroll expecting one of these salaries but major in a field that isn't listed here, you are betting on a school priced like an engineering investment without the engineering payoff.
The specific risk is the sticker price. At $41,026 a year net, four years runs past $160,000 before earnings, and the top programs pay well but not so well that a low-earning major would keep pace with that cost. Debt sits reasonable across programs, so the danger is paying full freight for a degree that doesn't pull engineering or finance money.
Family income changes everything. If your family earns under $75k, you pay between $16,002 and $21,505 a year, which turns Syracuse into a genuine value. Above $110k, you pay $55,337, more than the stated net price, and the return only works if you target the high-earning majors. Syracuse fits you if you are aiming at engineering, finance, or information science, or if your family income keeps net price low. Look elsewhere if you'd pay the top tier for a major outside those fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Syracuse University worth the cost?
Syracuse University's graduates earn $79,164 ten years after graduation, which is decent but not exceptional given the $41,026 annual net price. The school is worth it if you can get into a high-paying program like information science or computer engineering, but weaker for other majors.
What are the best paying majors at Syracuse University?
Information science and computer engineering graduates from Syracuse earn $88,195 and $81,333 respectively, making these programs the strongest ROI options. Business and mechanical engineering also perform well, while other majors may struggle to justify the cost.
How much student debt do Syracuse University graduates have?
Syracuse graduates carry a median debt of $26,000, which is manageable for high-earning majors but could be problematic for lower-paying fields. The 81% graduation rate is solid, reducing the risk of dropping out with debt and no degree.
Does Syracuse University give good financial aid?
With a net price of $41,026 per year, Syracuse's financial aid brings costs down from the full sticker price but still leaves families paying significantly more than most public universities. The aid helps but doesn't make Syracuse affordable for most middle-class families.